Employee portrait – Philipp Baaden

What topics do you deal with at Fraunhofer INT?

Roughly speaking, anything that has to do with technology and innovation management can land on my desk.  The classic requests are usually to outline the evolution of a specific technology or technological topics. In recent years, for example, I have dealt with topics such as synthetic biology, nuclear fusion, smart farming, autonomous driving and many more. Here, I always work together with colleagues who are familiar with the respective technology or topic. Together, and usually iteratively, we develop exciting insights. It is particularly important to me to make things measurable. This means that I use targeted methods and analyses to extract information from various data sources that is relevant in the respective context. We call this "advanced analytics", by which we mean a portfolio of methods from the fields of natural language processing, machine learning and statistics. In recent years, the DIVE-platform has also emerged from the field of advanced analytics, where we provide information about various methods and make them available within the institute. I am also doing my doctorate in cooperation with the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Business Models at Ruhr University Bochum and researching the emergence of new areas of knowledge.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

It's difficult for me to describe a real day-to-day routine given the variety of things that come up in my work. In the mornings, I always try to block some time in which I can focus on my work. Also I don't miss out on coffee. Depending on what I have planned for the week, I then concentrate on a project or write a scientific paper. In the afternoon, I often continue with team or project meetings. I like to use free minutes in the afternoon to research new methods and developments in the context of technology and innovation management and I read a lot of scientific articles in this area. Testing and evaluating new methods then usually happens in a specific project or research context. I usually close my laptop between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. and put on my running shoes or soccer boots.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Clearly the flexibility and working in a diverse and harmonious team. In terms of content, I always have to and am allowed to devote myself to new topics. Our projects are usually so different that there is no one prototypical process. Our customers are also very diverse. They range from industrial customers to ministries. I also enjoy a lot of freedom when it comes to my doctorate. I also conduct research with colleagues from the fields of computer science, social sciences, linguistics and natural sciences on topics that are not directly related to my dissertation. Working in such an interdisciplinary environment is inspiring and gives me great pleasure.

How did you come to  Fraunhofer INT?

II was looking for a partner for my Master's thesis and therefore searched for Fraunhofer Institutes in my area. Fraunhofer INT responded immediately to my unsolicited application and invited me to join. Even during my time as a research assistant, I was regarded as a fully-fledged member of the institute and was allowed to take part in conferences and projects. In my opinion, this appreciation for young scientists is crucial. Early on, I was also informed that the institute would support me with my doctoral studies and together we searched for a suitable cooperation partner.

What tips do you have for someone who would also like to work at Fraunhofer?

From my experience: Don't just wait for job advertisements – just apply. If you have the feeling that your profile fits well with an institute, then don't wait. Fraunhofer, as I know it, is an employer that is very interested in the further development of its employees. If you are motivated and willing to keep learning, you have a good chance at Fraunhofer.

What is an upcoming project or task that you are particularly looking forward to?

I would have to say the further development of the DIVE-platform. We have already achieved initial successes in projects with the platform and have just drawn up a roadmap for 2024. The feedback we get from our colleagues is valuable and we are looking forward to delivering further added value at Fraunhofer INT.