Postdoc-by-the-sea
Having very much enjoyed doing academic research for my thesis and wanting to continue on this path, it was a logical step to apply for postdoctoral positions at renowned universities in the USA. I always had the FWF Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship in the back of my mind, as it would make me an attractive candidate who could bring his own funding.
My thesis at TU Wien focused on the propagation of light in complex structures. In my postdoc research, I wanted to go far beyond this topic in order to build a broad basis for my further science career. Three years as a Schrödinger Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) now offer me a prime opportunity to do just that.
Develop your own ideas
I am currently working on the “quantum noise” of high-energy photonic systems with many channels. These systems are interesting for a variety of applications, such as the development of better lasers and research into “optical computing”, a potentially more energy-efficient alternative to electronic computers.
The frequent exchanges I have had with many of the most motivated researchers has induced me to develop my own ideas. The USA is the best place to take the next steps in this direction, because one gets a great deal more encouragement here to pursue one’s own ideas than in Austria.
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Courage to follow through
Two factors were decisive for my choice of research host: the reputation of the university (I am still surprised how much this raises my own visibility) and the reputation of the supervising professor in order to have a good mentor for the further course of my career. Another factor that made MIT the right choice for me was the can-do atmosphere of the working group. You have the confidence to implement a good idea regardless of whether it is in your comfort zone or not.
Another challenge when looking for a postdoctoral position abroad is the two-body problem with regard to your partner's career. MIT offers its own contact point for this issue, where the partners are offered networking meetings and they are prepared for the peculiarities of the American job market. This service was very helpful for my wife in the early days while she was waiting for her work permit.
Commuter train to the sea
After experiencing all the phases of culture shock, my wife and I have grown very fond of the USA, and especially Boston, with all its quirks, such as the non-ironic handling of checks. Since Boston is situated on the Atlantic, we were able to experience something that was completely new for landlocked Austrians: Every weekend, we simply take the commuter train (they exist in the USA, too) to beautiful sandy beaches and enjoy the charming maritime flair of New England. One of my proudest achievements is learning how to crack open an oyster, in proper style, of course, with a “Boston-style” oyster knife.
We also like Boston for its incredible number of oddities: from the bronze statues of a family of ducks in the city's central park that are always dressed according to the season (effectively signaling which of the four major-sports teams is currently competing), to the collective addiction to Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee regardless of season or temperature.
