Review of the Second ETOS PhD School (Oct. 7th - 9th, 2025, Hanau)

This year’s ETOS PhD School offered a diverse program for our doctoral candidates and postdocs from the first to the third day.

The openening evening was dedicated entirely to career planning. During a panel discussion on career paths, moderated by Dr. Rozalia Orghici-Appler (KIT), Prof. Ulrike Krewer (KIT), Patrik Stenner (Evonik) and Laura Lennartz (Evonik) provided fascinating insights into different professional perspectives – a valuable enrichment for young researchers.

Dr. Thomas Gimpel  (EST Research Center for Energy Storage Technologies, Clausthal University of Technology) kicked off the second day with an engaging lecture on innovative approaches to the functionalization of components for hydrogen technologies, chemical and electrochemical catalysts – supported by the use of a femtosecond laser for surface processing. Afterwards, doctoral candidates and postdocs presented their current research works.
In the afternoon, an interactive workshop on “Unconscious Bias” offered important impulses for a reflective approach in everyday research. The day concluded with a special social event: a night watchman tour through Hanau.

The third day featured further presentations by doctoral candidates and postdocs as well as a workshop on communication and conflict management in research groups – a valuable contribution to effective teamwork.
Once again, the PhD School proved to be an excellent opportunity for professional exchange, personal development, and networking.