Networking Event for the Quantum Science Community

Quantum Alliance Community Networking Event

Connect with fellow early-career researchers in quantum science from all over Germany!

Discover what career paths await beyond academia and get first-hand insights into the job market for PhDs and Postdocs in quantum science. In short, inspiring 10-minute talks, alumni from our member institutes will share their personal stories — what it’s like to move from university research to roles in industry or government labs, the challenges they faced, and their best tips for the application process.

After the talks, join a lively panel discussion and take the chance to expand your network during our informal networking sessions. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet others shaping the future of quantum science!

Program

10:45 - 11:00 | Log in and Introductions

11:00 - 11:05 | Welcome by the Quantum Alliance Team

11:05 - 11:45 | Main Stage: My Path from Academia to Industry

• Judith Gabel | Head of the Science Communication Lab, Deutsches Museum
• Kathinka Gerlinger | Development Engineer, ASML
• Jonas Kölzer | Field Application Engineer, Axelera AI

11:45 - 12:00 | Panel Discussion with Alumni

12:00 - 12:30 | Breakout Rooms: Networking Session with one alum per room
Change breakout rooms to connect with other alumni!

Meet the speakers

	Dr. Judith Gabel Judith Gabel earned her PhD in experimental materials physics at the University of Würzburg, after which she moved to the UK for a postdoc at Diamond Light Source. After several years in research, she shifted her focus to public outreach and science communication, initially with a focus on physics: At LMU and TU Munich, she developed and implemented a further education program on quantum technologies for professionals in industry. She now heads the Science Communication Lab at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, where she explores new ways to connect people with current research and the processes behind it.
	Dr. Kathinka Gerlinger Kathinka Gerlinger studied physics in various cities in Germany, France, and Luxembourg. In 2023, she completed her PhD on laser-induced nanostructures in magnetic multilayers. During her doctoral studies, she realized that her interest in fundamental research was not enough for a long-term academic career. After taking an extended break on her bicycle, she started working at an engineering consulting firm in 2024. Since she didn’t enjoy the job very much, she moved to the semiconductor industry in May 2024. There, she works as a data analyst and development engineer and really enjoys it.
	Dr. Jonas Kölzer Jonas Kölzer completed his doctorate degree at RWTH Aachen under the guidance of Prof. Thomas Schäpers, focusing on experimental condensed matter physics and topological matter. Following his academic journey, he joined Sensirion, a Swiss semiconductor company, where he served as a Field Application Engineer, working closely with international clients on sensor integration projects as part of the sales department of Sensirion and collaborating extensively with R&D and engineering teams. Now, Jonas is part of Axelera AI, a pioneering Dutch startup specializing in Artificial Intelligence chips. Here, he continues his career as a Field Application Engineer, contributing to the development of cutting-edge technology that drives the future of AI inference. Beyond his engineering role, Jonas is also a co-founder of the Polaris School of Quantum, an initiative dedicated to democratizing education of quantum technology.