Prof. Dr. Joachim Block

Das Portraitfoto zeigt den Alumnus Joachim Block

Degree programme: Physics

Graduation year: 1981

Employer: BHB

Position: Head of the Braunschweig and Göttingen sites of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) until 2020, since then retired, but continues to teach at the Institute of Geophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics at TU Braunschweig, as well as Chairman of the Braunschweig University Association (BHB).

What‘s your nicest memory of Braunschweig and do you have a favorite place?

Braunschweig is my home town. In addition to the research airport (where I have spent almost my entire professional life), the TU campus is one of my favorite places. I still spend almost every day here. My "favorite place" is "Herman's" in Schleinitzstraße, right next to the old TU building.

 

Reasons why the TU Braunschweig is a great place to study:

Braunschweig is a distinctly scientific city, in particular due to the networking of the TU with the non-university research institutions (DLR, PTB, HZI, GEI, DSMZ, etc.). This creates an inspiring atmosphere and a high quality of life for people who feel connected to science.

 

Describe the time of your studies in 3 words:

  • Inspiring
  • Opening horizons of thought

Which contents of your studies can you still use in your career today?

Almost everything, especially as part of my teaching activities at the Institute of Geophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics.

 

Are you still in touch with former fellow students? Do you see each other and if so, how often?

Yes, I still have contacts with a few alumni, but there could be many more if there had been a functioning alumni network in the 1980s and 1990s.

 

What advice would you give current students for their personal career planning?

  1. During your Master's degree course, don't commit to specific specializations too early on, but learn to get an overview of the entire subject first (first be a bit of a generalist, then a specialist).
  2. Take advantage of internships outside the university at an early stage to gain insights into companies and non-university institutes and build up personal relationships there.
  3. Give presentations and write papers wherever possible - a good German or English writing and presentation style is always and everywhere helpful.

In one sentence - In the future I wish the TU Braunschweig:

... that it can use Braunschweig's inherent locational advantages as a city of science in conjunction with forward-looking networking to successfully assert itself in the increasingly difficult competition among German universities.

My Braunschweig alma mater and its students are welcome to contact me for:

  • Sharing experiences in connection with application processes and career entry.
  • Guest lectures and technical expertise on space research, space travel, questions about the BHB.
  • Role as TU Braunschweig "Ambassador"
  • Information on my professional field of activity and professional role