In the 24th episode of the Electrical Engineering podcast "Current Affairs", Prof. Dr.-Ing. Nils Gerhardt talks to our host, Olga Friesen, about himself, his path to Paderborn University and his research into semiconductor and optoelectronic devices.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Nils Gerhardt initially studied Physics after gaining his first insights into Electrical Engineering in Physics lessons. Over the course of his studies, he switched to Electrical Engineering and eventually devoted himself to research into lasers. In 2025, he moved to Paderborn University after working as a professor at Ruhr University Bochum for several years. With regard to his career, Professor Dr.-Ing. Nils Gerhardt recommends: "I think it's always very helpful to be open, to try things out [...] and simply see what possibilities there actually are."
Professor Gerhardt's research focuses on semiconductor and optoelectronic components that are used in the field of information transmission and are therefore highly relevant to everyday life. The aim of his research is to make these data transmission systems cheaper, more energy-efficient and, above all, faster.
In addition to this technical insight into his research, he talks about his lectures, the possibilities of a thesis and positions for student assistants in his research area.
Listen now to the 24th episode of the Electrical Engineering podcast "Current Affairs" wherever podcasts are available or on the institute website.
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