Robert at AZTI Bilbao working on the 55 L high pressure high temperature vessel

Name: Robert Sevenich

Job title: Research fellow/ PhD-student

University: TU Berlin Department of Food Biotechnology and Process Engineering

IFT Division to which you belong: International Division

Highest Level of Education/Degree: Dipl.-Ing.

What does your schedule look like today?

The day started for me at 7 in the morning with turning on the computer at work and while the computer is booting I am getting my first coffee of many. Afterwards I enjoy my coffee while completing my “A Chat with” interview combined with some music from my Spotify playlist. This little session is followed by another coffee and writing and answering some emails. Recently I am trying to set up a research project with some partners and around 10 I will make some calls and see how the others are coming along with the paper work. After lunch it is planned to make some high pressure trials with students of mine and in the late afternoon we have a department meeting where I have the position as a representative of the research fellows. Hopefully around 6 pm I will be able to go home to my wife and daughter and still enjoy some of the beautiful spring weather we have at this point in Berlin.

At IFT 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; International Division Poster Competition

How did you go about finding your current job?

I saw online that there was a position open as a research fellow at the TU Berlin for a European project (Prometheus) for 3 years and so I applied…….They choose me and since 2012 I am working here and by now on other projects as well which involve high pressure treatments and its influence on food and microorganisms especially spores.

If you weren’t a Food Scientist, what would you be doing?

One of my passions is cooking so I probably would have tried to become a chef after graduating from high school and maybe by now have my own little restaurant here in Berlin. But this is just a thought I am happy the way things turned out to be 😉

Who do you think is the most influential person in your field and why?  

Dietrich Knorr, who is my PhD-thesis supervisor, since he is highly decorated researcher in the field of innovative food technologies. He always has an open ear for thoughts, ideas and an open mind on most topics. Also to mention is Dr. Kai Reineke who worked here before me on high pressure and spores and from whom I gained the most knowledge on these topics and together we had some great ideas for some further work of mine.

When are you most inspired?
Sometimes it is quite awkward at what times, locations and situations some ideas just pop into your head mostly when you are not expecting it. Some would even say while sitting on the toilet but anyhow. At least for me I cannot definitely say when I am the most inspired it just happens……

Why should I join ­­­­­­­­­­the International Division or any other IFT Division?  

The IFT International Division has the aim to bring people from all over the world, who work in the food industry, research and universities together to tackle the problems of today and a head of us. If you want to tackle the challenges of food industry/food sector that lie ahead of us with people from all over the world then join the IFT International Division.

Click here to learn about all 24 of IFT’s Divisions. Divisions are free for IFT Members to join!

The most valuable thing I, as a student, can do to further my research/career as soon as I finish reading this interview is:  

Do hard and good work, be honest and stay true to yourself and others then you will make your way……

What is your favorite food? 

Pizza, Pasta, Spaetzle (traditional german food), good bread, sushi etc. just to name a few….. the world has such a high potential of really awesome foods from so many different cultures that it is hard to say which is my favorite!

Reach Robert at r.sevenich@tu-berlin.de