Impetus for research and active networking at the “Hot-Stuff-Award” and the career fair
The second day also provided a stage for young photonics talents to demonstrate their skills and enthusiasm for science and innovation. During the elevator pitches for the “Hot Stuff Award” of the High-Performance Center Photonics, young scientists presented their project ideas to a virtual audience in five minutes in short videos. Johannes Kretzschmar from the Makerspace of Lichtwerkstatt Jena won this scientific competition. In his project he wants to build a knowledge base for the automation and remote control of laboratory work. This includes the mapping of experiments on digital twins, the control via IoT infrastructure and the visualization by means of technologies for computer-aided augmented or virtual reality perception (AR and VR technologies). We are eager to see how the winning team will use the 15,000 € prize money to further develop their interesting idea.
At the career fair that followed, students and guests had the opportunity to talk to representatives of twelve companies and research institutions and received valuable career tips.

Virtual hall with posters from the Max Planck School of Photonics.
In addition, participants of the Photonics Days 2020 were able to look around and interact with other participants in the form of avatars in various virtual halls where individual companies presented themselves and posted job advertisements.