Job prospects
Job prospects for young engineers are very good. Each year, there are currently twice as many vacancies for physicists and physics engineers as graduates. One of the reasons for this imbalance is the age structure.
Engineering Physics graduates' extensive knowledge and technological skills stand them in good stead. They are quick to grasp new tasks, and have the ability to drive forward innovative developments.
Besides vacancy notices calling explicitly for physicists, you will often read job adverts along the lines of "We are looking for an Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics graduate to undertake research and development ..." or "We are looking for a Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Physics graduate ...". As a physics engineer, you will be a flexible all-rounder, highly sought after by employers in the following sectors:
- The automotive industry
- Communications & telecommunications, and computer technology
- Laser technology, optoelectronics and the optical industry
- Environmental engineering, environmental agencies and testing agencies
- Clinics and hospitals
- Biotechnology and medical technology sectors
- Research institutions and higher education institutions
- Public sector
Or you may decide to become self-employed. In this case, we will provide support in the form of coaching. Our students find it particularly useful to have the opportunity to establish contacts with attractive companies throughout Europe and the rest of the world while still at university, above all during the practical stage and the Bachelor's thesis. It therefore comes as no surprise that many students already have a job waiting for them upon graduation.
What are our graduates doing today?
Dr. Hagen Zimer, Director of Technology Development at TRUMPF Laser GmbH
Dr. Hagen Zimer is responsible for the research and development of high-power diode lasers at TRUMPF Laser GmbH. His degree in Engineering Physics, specialising in Laser Engineering, laid the foundation for his professional success. He completed his degree programme in 1997, after writing a Diplom thesis on diode-pumped disk lasers.
Following a 1.5-year stint abroad, he returned to our department in 1999 to embark on doctoral studies under Professor Wittrock in the Photonics Laboratory. Once he had earned his doctorate in 2005, he started working as a laser developer and project manager in the R&D department of TRUMPF Lasermarking Systems AG in Grüsch, Switzerland. After working for other companies for a few years, he returned to TRUMPF Laser GmbH in 2013, where he was responsible for the research and development of innovative high-power diode lasers in Schramberg. He has been Director of Research and Development for TRUMPF's diode lasers in Princeton, NJ, USA since 2016, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer there in March 2018.
Nora Oellers, graduate of the Master's degree programme in Biomedical Engineering
Nora Oellers is a graduate of the Master's degree programme in Biomedical Engineering. Before embarking on the Master's programme, the qualified nurse earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Münster. She chose our Master's programme because she wanted to pursue a practice-based degree. "I was really interested in taking the Master's degree programme in Biomedical Engineering because I had a free choice of modules and the opportunity to study abroad," she explained.
The Master's thesis that Nora Oellers wrote was the ideal preparation for starting her career as a Research & Marketing Assistant at 3D Biomatrix in Ann Abor, Michigan, where she was first engaged in research and development, and then moved to marketing. One year later, she joined Medicago in Durham, North Carolina, where she worked as an Analytical Development Specialist in plant vaccine production.
Charlotte Franke, Deputy Head of the Technology and Innovation Department of VEKA AG
Charlotte Franke is the Deputy Head of the Technology and Innovation Department of VEKA AG in Sendenhorst. Before taking on this position, she completed the Bachelor's degree programme in Engineering Physics at Münster University of Applied Sciences. While studying Engineering Physics, Franke realised that she wanted more than a pure engineering degree, so she decided to pursue the Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering - Engineering Physics at the same time.
Charlotte Franke started her career at VEKA AG in 2012 during her practical stage in product management, before graduating.
As Deputy Head of the Technology and Innovation Department, she is happy to offer students the opportunity to complete their practical stage or a dissertation at VEKA AG.