Welcome Robert!

⚡ Flash interview with our new colleague Robert Maertens, who joined our Climate Neutral Industry team on May 1:

❓Hi Robert, great to have you on board! Please introduce yourself briefly.
💡Thank you for the warm welcome! I studied mechanical engineering at the DHBW Karlsruhe and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). For my Master’s thesis, I spent six months at the “Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Composites Research” in London, Ontario, Canada. There I researched innovative industrial processes for plastics processing. Back in Germany, I started as a research assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in 2016, where I built up the field of “Injection molding processing of thermoset plastics”. My main topics were resource efficiency through lightweight construction and novel applications in the field of electromobility. At the end of 2022, I also completed my doctorate at KIT, in which I dealt with process and material development to improve the mechanical properties of these plastics. From 2023, I started working in a new field and set up the “Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)” specialist group at Fraunhofer ICT. My work focused on strategy development, project acquisition and management.

❓What particularly attracted you to IREES?
💡The topic of “resource and energy efficiency” has been a recurring theme throughout my career. At IREES, I am particularly excited by the opportunity to analyse larger contexts and actively contribute to the decarbonization of industry. I am particularly looking forward to learning and contributing my knowledge every day in a dynamic and appreciative team!

❓Which department do you work in and what are your tasks?
💡I work as a senior scientist in the “Climate Neutral Industry” department and am responsible for the acquisition, management and processing of research projects. Joining directly and working with my colleagues on the WinIt and EE4Ing2 research projects is an exciting challenge.

We are delighted that you are joining IREES and enriching our team!

PS: Curious now? We offer opportunities for student traineeships, internships and bachelor’s/master’s theses on all aspects of the energy transition. More information at: https://irees.de/karriere/

IREES – RESEARCH FOR FUTURE 🌍🍃