”I have been working at IMMS for almost 10 years now with some breaks in between. As a Bachelor student, I was looking for an internship and a topic for my Bachelor thesis and found a suitable one at the System Design department. This initial project was very interesting and also challenging. I therefore decided to continue my Master studies in Ilmenau with the possibility to work as a Hiwi in the System Design department. As a result, I was fulfilling various tasks regarding Wireless Sensor Networks. This included i.e. developing Hardware as well as implementing drivers and protocols for embedded Linux and TinyOS.

After finishing the Master thesis, I had an offer to start working immediately at IMMS as researcher. However, the challenges that a PhD in the DFG funded RTG 1487 “Self-Organized Mobile Communication Systems for Disaster Scenarios” posed, made me chose a position as PhD candidate at the Communications Networks Group at the Technische Universität Ilmenau. Despite that, I always kept a possible return to IMMS in mind. My PhD topic was focused on research regarding robust communications for rescue forces in disaster scenarios by evaluating hybrid routing in heterogeneous, delay-tolerant Ad hoc networks. This research benefited from knowledge and experience that I had built during my time at IMMS. While being a PhD candidate, I stayed in contact with the System Design department i.e. to work on joint project proposals.

The constant contact, especially with Dr. Hutschenreuther, and the resulting exchange on scientific topics and R&D trends at IMMS made it easy for me to consider a position at IMMS at the end of my university time. As experienced researcher, I wanted to develop my own ideas and continue working in research projects that build the base for further application oriented projects at IMMS.

Today, I am back at IMMS and enjoy versatile tasks. These include various development tasks to implement innovative solutions with practical relevance. Currently, I am implementing solutions regarding sensors for laboratory equipment and environmental monitoring and also do project management activities. Besides that, I am developing my own research topic on the analysis of distributed IoT systems. One important factor for me is to always share my knowledge with colleagues and supervise students in a way that will enable them to become and want to become colleagues one day. By sharing knowledge, I am able to return the favors I received as a student at IMMS. In addition, I enjoy helping new colleagues, joining us as researchers after their studies, with my experience obtained at IMMS but also during my time at university.

My current position allows me to continuously develop myself further regarding various aspects. This enables me to stay curious and combine many interests in a way of life-long learning. One personal goal is therefore to work on a Habilitation with a focus on my IoT research.“