Great appetite for working in the lab

Seven new apprentices start their careers at the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung

Exciting times await the seven young men and women who began their training at the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr on September 1. In the coming years, they will be trained as chemistry lab assistants or physics lab assistants.

Preparing their own syntheses in the laboratory, operating and maintaining complex large-scale equipment independently, working with scientists from all over the world: Exciting times await the seven young men and women who began their training at the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr on September 1. In the coming years, they will be trained as chemistry lab assistants or physics lab assistants.

"I have been interested in chemistry since 8th grade," says Sabrina Brunner. After taking an advanced chemistry course and getting a taste of the field at various events, it was clear to her that she wanted to be trained as a lab technician.

Her colleague Kira Peter emphasizes that science is important to her and that the practical work in the lab is what excites her most. "And if you're interested in training in the field of basic research and look around, the name 'Kohlenforschung' quickly comes up!"

Currently, a total of 23 young women and men are completing an apprenticeship at the institute, explains Laila Sahraoui, herself a trained chemical laboratory technician and head of training at the institute. "The new colleagues are now placed in various departments and will start to work there," she says. There is also a lot of input on the history of the institute and processes on campus. And a few weeks later, training will begin in the institute's own teaching laboratory.

By the way, the same applies to the apprentices at the neighboring Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion. The two Mülheim institutes have been working closely together on training for many years - and have even received several awards for their efforts.

Apprenticeship 2024: Call for applications

The MPI für Kohlenforschung is currently looking for apprentices for the coming year. This time, in addition to chemical laboratory assistants, physics laboratory assistants and precision mechanics, office management assistants and IT specialists for system integration are needed as well.

Anyone interested in training at the institute can apply directly to Laila Sahraoui until the beginning of October.