"We uncover mysteries"
Doing research while studying

Universities represent research, scientists in laboratories and professors who have dedicated their lives to science. Even for students, it is possible to participate in research projects during their studies and thereby gain first-hand research experience. Our ambassadors show you how it works. TU Darmstadt offers various opportunities for students to actively participate in research during their studies. See for yourself how you can get involved in research as a student and learn what makes student work at TU Darmstadt's research institutes so special.

Published: 20th February 2023

Thomas,
M.Sc Mechanical Engineering

For me, research is about uncovering mysteries. Sometimes it feels like turning your wildest fantasies into reality.

#studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, University Campus city centre, building of Physics Clock Tower// #studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, Universitätscampus Stadtmitte, Physik Hörsaal Uhrturm
Picture: Stefan Elges

Unlimited possibilities

You had a great start to your studies, you already completed several semesters and settled into your studies and student life. Now you are wondering what options there are for you to gain your first practical experience while still being a student – at best even to help you later when entering the work force? Then watch out: At TU Darmstadt, there are countless opportunities for you to get involved in various research areas as part of a wide range of projects during your bachelor's degree and even more so during your master's degree. Regardless of your course of study, there is something for all interests, abilities, and specializations.

Caro,
M.Sc. Industrial and Mechanical Engineering

I find the diversity particularly exciting: you can do research on any topic. In every department, there are various subject areas that all have a different research focus, so there is something for everyone.

#studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassador Caro, Audimax, University Campus Citycentre // #studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassador Caro, Audimax, Universitätscampus
Picture: Stefan Elges

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What does doing research as a university student look like? Laboratory internships are part of many science courses and essentially are small research projects. By working on a series of experiments, evaluations and much more, you gain experience in independent scientific research, which can later help you with setting up your own project. You can also work as a student assistant in an institute and gain basic experience that can later be incorporated into your thesis. Furthermore, you can use the opportunity to acquire new skills through projects such as those at the Department of Computer Science and, for example, independently develop software applications. The department's research projects deal with exciting questions about how computer science can improve our lives as well as how the digital transformation can be shaped and accompanied critically. Take a look and find out more about the current research projects at the Department of Computer Science.

Are you curious about the directions in which you can pursue research at TU Darmstadt? You can find out more about the following research fields and profile topics:

I+I: Information and Intelligence

In I+I, research is conducted on artificial intelligence, data transfer in intelligent and resilient networks as well as information utilization. The following profile topics are covered here:

E+E: Energy and Environment

The research field E+E develops new ways, ideas and solutions for energy and environmental problems as well as linking the competences of engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Profile topics of E+E are:

M+M: Matter and Materials

The M+M research field is all about matter and materials. From 3D printing to memristor technology, numerous interesting projects are being researched there. Research is being driven forward in the following profile topics:

  • Intelligent, sustainable value networks for the Industry 4.0 of the future: research of possible increases in the efficiency of resources and energy used
  • Materials Design for Circularity: Research of innovative, tailor-made and, above all, sustainable materials, and material systems
  • Nuclear Science: Research of microphysics, macrophysics, and nuclear matter
  • Synthetic Biology: Combining natural sciences with engineering methods

Levin,
B.Sc. Cognitive Science

There is always the possibility of discovering something new. Every theory is in one way or another flawed or incomplete – discovering those problems is what I find exciting.

#studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassador Levin, Athena, Selfie Spot, Karo 5
Picture: Privat

The university as a think tank

Universities are known as the home of many imaginative minds: this is where those ideas are born that can shape the way of our lives. With increasing modernization and mechanization, research plays an important role, especially at a technical university. At TU Darmstadt, ground-breaking findings and scientific solutions are provided for the questions humanity has for the world of tomorrow. Whether you are a curious student, a creative young researcher, or an excellent scientist: At TU Darmstadt, you can help shape research at a very early stage. Be it in the field of digital intelligence and responsibility, liveable environments and sustainable transformation or resource security and generation. It is about creating something new that does not yet exist, taking new perspectives and developing approaches to solutions for current and future challenges. This has already worked well in the past: Currently, hydrogen is being discussed as a new, promising material and energy carrier of the future, and it is also already in use. This idea is the result of years of research at universities and would probably not have come about at all without it.

Research is being done here!

To develop innovative research approaches like this, a university offers the best basis: Here, research can be carried out freely – without the need for a specific order from a client with third-party or project funding. At TU Darmstadt, research can be done out of pure curiosity, without having to be bound to limited terms, funds and more, as it is often the case at colleges. This so-called basic research is at the beginning often rather vague and does not immediately lead to results. Rather, it is about researching and deciphering fundamental and scientific processes. This can then gradually lead to more concrete applications that find their way into society. In some cases, this only happens many years later. An example would be quantum physics, which was researched for years without any tangible field of application yet has since been concretized and now revolves around its application in quantum computers.

Thomas,
M.Sc Mechanical Engineering

Even after my master's, I would like to stay in research, start my doctorate in the U.S. and then pursue a professorship there as well.

#studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, University Campus city centre, building of Physics Clock Tower// #studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, Universitätscampus Stadtmitte, Physik Hörsaal Uhrturm
Picture: Stefan Elges

Having a career in research

You feel like our ambassador Thomas, who is currently doing his master's degree in mechanical engineering, and you could see yourself continuing your academic career and doing research beyond your master's degree? Then we will give you a tip: You will have a big advantage if you can already get a taste of exciting research projects during your studies as a student assistant at one of the research institutes mentioned above or as a research assistant. And it really works: Thomas, for example, has developed an app at the Department of System Reliability, Ad Aptronics and Machine Acoustics (SAM) that can be used to visualize acoustic structural parameters using augmented reality. This scientific collaboration also resulted in his first peer-reviewed paper – not only a great experience, but also a useful addition to his work samples. Research work like this is not only super exciting, it also expands your knowledge and can have a positive effect on your future career choice.

TU Darmstadt offers ambitious researchers the perfect environment and the best conditions to really get started as a young scientist.

Numerous other research institutes located in Darmstadt can also be found outside of the university. So what are you waiting for?

#studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, University Campus city centre, building of Physics Clock Tower// #studentsofTudarmstadt, Ambassador Thomas, Universitätscampus Stadtmitte, Physik Hörsaal Uhrturm
Picture: Stefan Elges

Thomas

Hey, my name is Thomas and I am studying mechanical engineering at TU Darmstadt. I already finished my bachelor's degree here and was so convinced by the programme that I also enrolled for the master's degree. Especially the ability to organize myself freely helps me to organize my life and studies in a flexible way.

#studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassador Caro, Audimax, University Campus Citycentre // #studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassado rCaro, Audimax, Universitätscampus
Picture: Stefan Elges

Caro

Hey, I'm Caro and I'm studying industrial engineering with a technical specialization in mechanical engineering in the master's program. What I particularly appreciate about my degree programme is the interplay between the business and technical modules. Since the study of industrial engineering is offered at TU Darmstadt with technical specializations, my interests are therefore optimally covered.

#studentsofTUdarmstadt, Ambassador Levin, Athena, Selfie Spot, Karo 5
Picture: Privat

Levin

Servus, I'm Levin and I study Cognitive Science at TU Darmstadt. There I receive a broad overview of different fields, especially computer science, and therefore have lots of liberty on which direction I want to focus on in the future. At the moment, philosophy excites me the most, but programming AI or reading new papers in English is also very fascinating!