Dr. Roland Hingmann is a retired physicist with a lifelong passion for scientific exploration and its practical applications in industry. After completing his physics studies with a specialization in nuclear physics, Roland embarked on an exciting adventure into the chemical industry.
Can you give us an overview of your professional journey?
In 1986 I had my first break through discovery, which lead to a really good publication in Physical Review Letters and finally allowed me to claim my doctor title! This was truly a relief as I struggled with a lot of failed experiments and frustration.
Then I did the thing many physics graduates also today still consider a “no go” – I left academia and started working in industry. I was hired at BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where I stayed many years in research and development. I was involved in diverse projects, ranging from environmental solutions for combating oil spills to innovative polymer materials as, for example, found in running shoes. It took some time to get used to those new surroundings as, at that time, the company mainly consisted of men in suits! I was one of the only ones wearing a sweater to work, and as a physicist amongst all the chemist one could feel a bit foolish.
But I managed to show resilience and perseverance and, what started out as a hands-on scientific career, over time developed into a management focused path, leading me (and my family) to move to Barcelona, Spain for a while. This project indeed had nothing to do with physics anymore, as I was responsible for simplifying the warehouse structure of BASF in Europe.
From there, I got headhunted by LyondellBasell, where I got the chance to build up and manage the polymer physics department across Germany, Italy and the US. My office was in Frankfurt at that time, but I am sure that period cost all my CO2-budget for the rest of my life (laughs).
After some time, I returned to BASF where I stayed until retirement. My responsibility lay in establishing polymer technology competence as part of BASF’s globalization strategy, mainly in Germany, the US and China.
What are some challenges you have met on your way, and how did you overcome them?
One significant aspect has been maintaining openness towards change, whether it's adapting to new tasks, adjusting to different positions, navigating shifts in organizational structures, or even relocating to new places and collaborating with diverse colleagues.
As you maybe can imagine, not every endeavor leads to immediate success, especially when you are new to the field. Thus, staying resilient, committed and keeping a long term-perspective in these times can be very challenging, but it is rewarding in the end.
I quickly realized the necessity of honing my communication and networking skills to navigate the diverse landscape of industry. These skills became invaluable tools for effective collaboration and establishing meaningful professional relationships. I really recommend to start your network early. Be brave and contact people via LinkedIn or invite someone further up in hierarchy in your company for a coffee.
Why would you advertise for a career in industry?
Against some persisting prejudices, jobs in industry are not less intellectually stimulating or purely profit-driven. On the contrary, I believe that industrial research provides many opportunities for groundbreaking research and innovation, addressing global challenges and having a direct impact on society. Furthermore, the diversity of projects and the chance to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams make industry careers exciting and rewarding.
How do you support students in their career?
Since my retirement, I voluntarily mentor students in different phases of their career. This could be supporting them in creating their master thesis presentation or giving tips on how to apply for a job in industry.
Something I highly recommend to physics students in Germany, is to join the excursions organized by the German Physical Society (Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft) to various industrial partners. This is a great opportunity for networking, and you get valuable insights into some of the top companies and research organizations!
Recently I gave a presentation to physics students at the University of Heidelberg. I presented my own career and talked about challenges and advantages of an industrial career. I believe this is important work, as the students today and their career choice can positively impact our society and shape the future of science and technology.
Thank you for your time and these valuable insights into the career options in physical industry!
You can contact Dr. Hingmann via LinkedIn for further questions or mentoring requests.
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