Business and Career > Young Scientists Researching in Germany: What is it like?
Talk about making a lasting impression: In 2000, Dr. Igor Gornyi from St. Petersburg accepted the University of Karlsruhe’s invitation to become a guest researcher at the Karlsruhe Research Center's Institute of Nanotechnology (INT). Today, the 33-year-old scientist from St. Petersburg is not only highly decorated – winning the EURYI (European Young Investigators Award) worth 1 million euros in 2005 – but has also set up his own independent junior research group at the institute and feels right at home in the South German university town. His goal: To fit twelve miniscule computers with the operating power of a current PC on the tip of a needle someday.
 calculation, source: photocase.com user: simosg When did you realize that you could see yourself staying in Karlsruhe?
Actually, right when I started working here in 2000. I had already visited Karlsruhe for one month in 1999, and the first impression was that the scientific atmosphere here was very friendly and lively. And it offers one of the best ratios of salary to cost of living and overall quality of life in the world, together with great organization of the scientific process.
Would you say that Karlsruhe is the leading European research institution for nanoscience?
Yes. The concentration and the quality of the nanosciences here are really high. It’s simply at the best level, and everything is well organized, providing everything you need for doing research. I think it’s the best in Europe. I've never worked in the US or any other country outside Europe, but I
think the comparable level can hardly be found elsewhere. Japan, maybe.
 How has receiving the EURYI (European Young Investigators Award) affected your work?
My own research group has emerged, allowing me to pursue research in a broader range of direc-tions, addressing more problems simultaneously. The members of my group are doing technical things such as calculations, which I did myself earlier. This allows me to concentrate more on strategic is-sues. Currently, we have completed half of the research program of my proposal for the award, which means about a little more than two years out of the total five years.
What is the focus of your research?
I am investigating quantum transport in nanostructures, mostly electronic transport in lower-dimension structures. I’m pursuing theoretical research that is believed to be important for a number of practical applications in a wide field of disciplines. The ultimate goal is to make a computer that’s as small as possible. But in everyday operations, I deal in theories, mostly mathematical methods for investigating low-dimensional systems, and important materials in two-dimensional and one-dimensional electronic systems, such as a material called graphene.
And then researchers at INT attempt to prove your theories in practice?
Yes, there is a big laboratory for nanotechnology at the Research Center where experiments are per-formed both on nanotubes and graphine. Based on my formulas, people may predict what can be observed in nanoelectronic devices or other nanosystems. At the same time, I can help explain some observations with what I have found out. How do international researchers contribute to science in Germany? I think that currently half of the personnel at our institute come from abroad. We have people from China, India, Russia and everywhere. Germany is trying to invite the best young people and I think that has a big influence on research, especially in the nanosciences. It’s a great opportunity for people to come here on an exchange or post-doc. What could be improved in order to accommodate international scientists in Germany? The university system in Germany has been somewhat resistant to providing permanent positions, for example as professors, to non-German scientists. However, it's getting more flexible nowadays, and the number of professors from abroad is increasing. This can actually be proven by statistics on the number of positions filled by scientists from outside of Germany. Another factor is that the salary here is actually tied to how long you have had your position, not the quality of your research or how hard you work, with an automatic raise every two years or so.
Do you have any advice based on your own experience for young researchers who want to come to Germany? Language is very important for your career. Good German opens many doors!
How long are you planning to stay? I never try to foresee the future. I just do physics. I will definitely be working here until the end of 2010, when my project ends. I wouldn't mind staying here for a longer period. Dr. Gornyi, thank you very much for the interview.
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