Apprentice Award for Alexander Schwalenberg

Alexander Schwalenberg, a chemical laboratory technician, received the Max Planck Society's Apprentice Award for academic excellence and social commitment.

Alexander Schwalenberg, chemical laboratory technician at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, has been awarded the Apprentice Award of the Max Planck Society. The €750 prize recognizes not only outstanding academic and professional achievements but also special social commitment during vocational training.

For training supervisor Laila Sahraoui, the nomination was not only about professional excellence: “I have rarely met such an exemplary trainee as Alexander. At a time when negativity often dominates, he consistently stands for cohesion and positivity. When conflicts arise or situations get stressful, Alexander is the first to approach his colleagues, lend an ear, and put the team’s well-being above his own interests. In short: he is a ‘team player’ in the best sense of the word.”

Even after completing his apprenticeship, Alexander has decided to stay at the Institute. Since June, he has been working in the research group “Sustainable Catalysis” led by Dr. Josep Cornellà. “My training here at the Institute has given me a lot, both professionally and personally. Now I am excited to contribute to more sustainability in chemistry in the lab. And I find it inspiring to be involved in planning the laboratories for our newly expanding group,” says Schwalenberg.

At the award ceremony, administrative director Dr. Verena Schulz-Coulon congratulated the freshly graduated technician and wished him all the best for his future steps: “We are truly happy to have committed young people like Mr Schwalenberg and hope that they will remain with the institute for a long time after completing their training.”

The Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung regularly trains apprentices in various professions. In addition to chemical and physics laboratory technicians, apprenticeships are also offered for precision mechanics and office management clerks. The Institute’s training program enjoys a strong reputation, and its graduates are highly sought after in both research and industry.