“A PhD shapes you in many ways”
Working hands-on with experimental setups is what our IMPRS-APS alumnus Johannes Schötz misses most from his time at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ). From 2014 on, he did his PhD in the group of Prof. Matthias Kling at the MPQ, followed by a postdoc period under Prof. Ferenc Krausz. Today, Johannes works as a Senior Data Scientist at the company OmegaLambdaTec. In this interview, he talks about his PhD research and experiences, and gives insight into his work life.
Could you tell us a little bit about the PhD research you did?
During my PhD I investigated field-resolved techniques to study ultrafast light matter interactions. The work included electro-optic sampling on highly excited semiconductors, the emergence of light-phase-dependent currents in ionized gases, and techniques such as attosecond streaking and tiptoe on metallic nanotips.
My role covered both experiment and theory: setting up and running the experiments, analyzing the measured data, and developing numerical simulation models to interpret the results. I always enjoyed that combination of hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and modeling.
Now you are a Senior Data Scientist at OmegaLambdaTec. What does the company do and what does your role involve?
OmegaLambdaTec is a data science and artificial intelligence company based in Garching that develops customized smart data and physical analytics solutions for clients in areas such as Industry 4.0, energy systems, and smart cities. Our core competencies lie in end-to-end solutions - from data-driven forecasting and anomaly detection to digital twin simulations and the optimization of complex physical systems. In my role, I spend a lot of time coding while also taking responsibility for managing projects.
Can you walk us through a typical work day for you?
At OmegaLambdaTec we have a lot of flexibility in choosing whether to work from home or from the office. Most of the time I work from home. My day usually starts at my desk with a cup of coffee and my laptop, followed by planning the day around upcoming meetings and project tasks. We have regular meetings with project partners and clients, so the work ranges from writing reports and preparing presentations to more technical tasks that I enjoy most - such as setting up cloud applications, writing code, or testing different approaches to new optimization problems.
Fortunately, we are involved in a considerable number of research projects, which means we also have time to explore new ideas and approaches. On the days I'm in the office, the focus is shifted towards in person exchange with my colleagues. We align on projects, exchange ideas, and often end the day with something social, like having a beer in our social room or going out to a restaurant.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most is that my job constantly pushes me to learn new things. Whether it`s algorithmic methods, software development, or the business side of working with clients. Besides that, I really like the variety of topics we work on. Projects can range from photonic waveguides for the future of computing to analyzing acoustic signals in additive manufacturing or modeling energy systems. That variety gives us insights into current developments across many different fields.
How does your PhD experience help you in your current role?
A PhD shapes you in many ways that turn out to be very useful later on in your professional life. One key aspect is learning how to work independently and take responsibility for your own work. Furthermore, it teaches you the ability, sometimes the necessity, to quickly dive into complex and unfamiliar topics.
In my current role, I rely heavily on my experience in modeling complex physical systems, analyzing data, and building connections between experimental observations and simulations. Those skills transfer very naturally into the type of work we do at OmegaLambdaTec.
How did you experience the transition from academia to industry?
For me, the transition from academia to industry was quite smooth. At OmegaLambdaTec, many of my colleagues, including our CEO and founder Rene Fassbender, have a background in physics or astrophysics as PhDs or postdocs. Because of that, there is still a strong research mindset within the company, and we are involved in many research-driven projects. On the other hand, I had to get slightly used to the more rigorous planning and time-restricted execution required in client projects.
What's one thing that you miss about academia that you don't get to experience in industry? Conversely, what's one thing that you're happy to leave behind in academia?
What I miss most from my time at MPQ is the physical, hands-on aspect of experimental work, like building optical setups or just tightening screws on a vacuum chamber. The closest I get to that these days is changing the tires on my car.
On the other hand, I`m very happy to leave behind the long and exhausting nights in the lab. Our experimental setups often required hours of preparation and alignment. So, when it was finally your turn on the laser and everything started working late in the evening, you had to make the most of it. Those nights in the lab with colleagues could also be memorable but I definitely had my fair share of too long ones.
How did the IMPRS-APS support your development?
The lectures and courses offered through IMPRS-APS played an important role in cultivating curiosity and the motivation to keep learning new things and looking beyond one`s immediate research horizon. Moreover, I was lucky that I could share that time with some great people that I am still friends with today.
What's a particularly memorable moment from your time at IMPRS-APS that stands out to you?
One of the memories that stands out is from the IMPRS-APS retreats. In particular, I remember the freezing-cold swimming pool at Schloss Ringberg. I don`t remember whether it was early spring or late autumn but somehow being in that pool at such an extraordinary location felt like a special moment.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their PhD?
You could easily fill pages with advice for new PhD students, but if I had to focus on one thing it would be this: Be curious! Asking questions like “why?” or “what happens if…?” out of genuine curiosity and giving yourself the freedom to explore them is incredibly valuable for developing real understanding. That sense of light-hearted curiosity and childish playfulness not only helps you to explore and understand, but it also makes the entire experience much more enjoyable.