Blog

1st July 2025 · PhDlife
1st July 2025 · PhDlife

Performing my first on-sky tests (in Hawaii at Keck Telescope)

by Rafael Salgueiro

As an adaptive optics (AO) researcher for ground-based telescopes, having the possibility to perform tests on-sky was a major accomplishment for me. These tests occurred in Hawaii in the Keck I telescope…

30th June 2025 · Science
30th June 2025 · Science

Rising Seas and What Isotopes have to do with it

by Franka Neumann

Earth, 20 000 years ago: the last glacial maximum. The air was about 5°C cooler than today, the sea level more than 100 meters lower. Creatures could walk from Siberia to Alaska across a land bridge…

24th March 2025 · PhDlife
24th March 2025 · PhDlife

Attending my first international conference as a PhD student

by Felix Pollak

One of the most exciting experiences for a PhD student is attending their first conference to present their initial research findings. I finally got this chance in April 2024…

1st February 2025 · PhDlife
1st February 2025 · PhDlife

My first year as a PhD student in the AUFRANDE Program

by Hamza Nisar

The journey began when I stumbled upon the AUFRANDE program calls. What caught my attention was the unique opportunity it offered—a dual-degree program spanning two countries. This was more than just an academic pursuit; it was a chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Without hesitation, I applied.

15th January 2025 · PhDlife
15th January 2025 · PhDlife

What motivated my transition from engineer to PhD student?

by Manish Kumar

Choices that challenge us to rethink our goals and aspirations define our journeys. For me, the transition from being a Technology Engineer in the automotive industry to a PhD student in academia was one such transformative decision.