During her major in Automotive Engineering and Transport at RWTH Aachen University, Anna discovered her interest in electrification of the commercial vehicle sector and then acquired her first experience in the field during her master's thesis on measurement-based validation of an e-axle and by doing a mechanical design for a fuel cell truck as a student assistant.

After her graduation in mechanical engineering, she joined the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) at RWTH Aachen University in the Energy Management & Drivetrains department to start her PhD in 2022. Her current research focuses on different aspects of powertrain development as part of multiple research projects and ranges from increasing the degree of automation in powertrain sizing to conceptual design of e-axles for some specific heavy-duty applications, to developing a prototype together with the team in the eTestHiL project. Besides her interest in improving the efficiency and sustainability of electric vehicles, her other interests include software development and optimisation algorithms since those are essential for the design and implementation of novel development methods.

The Pop in Your Job:
From my perspective, working in research is perfect for those who like to learn from challenges (both technical and those beneficial to personal development) and through meeting and exchanging ideas with experts. It is also a great possibility to experience the complete development process from an idea and first concept to a prototype in a relatively short amount of time. So in my opinion, it’s great for those like me willing to turn a hobby into a career since a PhD is a personal project that requires commitment, passion, curiosity, and willingness to constantly learn, try new things out, and think of ways something hasn‘t been done before.

Nils Perzborn is manager, engineer and coach. He has many years of professional experience in the automotive business and a wide range of engineering knowledge. Since 2021, he has been Manager System NVH EU at ZF Group, which he joined in 2014. In his current role, he is responsible for the acoustical optimization and validation of steering- and electronic brake control systems. He holds a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University Braunschweig.

Dr. Quentin Werner is Functional Team Leader for eAxle Performance at Bosch, working on eAxle and eMachine technologies. Based in Germany, he has a strong background in electrical engineering, holding both a Master’s and Ph.D. from the Université de Lorraine. Before joining Bosch, he gained extensive experience in automotive engineering and powertrain technologies while working at several notable companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Delta Electronics, and Daimler Truck. At Bosch, Quentin focuses on designing and optimizing electric axle systems, which are crucial components in electric vehicles, integrating electric motors, power electronics, and transmission systems.

Omar Cherif is a Field Application Engineer at Wolfspeed, specializing in power electronics and inverter design for electrical powertrains. He is passionate about semiconductors and advanced packaging technology. His expertise includes SiC and GaN power MOSFETs, devices characterization and analog circuit design. At Fraunhofer IZM, Omar significantly contributed to automotive applications by collaborating on high power density PCB embedded inverter systems and precise current sensor integration.

Dr. Johannes Kemper is a Field Application Engineer at Wolfspeed, specializing in application engineering, power electronics, and inverter and system design for e-mobility solutions. With over 15 years of experience across industry-leading companies, Johannes is driven by a passion for complex, interdisciplinary projects that push the boundaries of technology and improve safety and efficiency. His past roles include developing and testing advanced electric drive systems at Helmut Schmidt University, as well as leading autonomous vehicle system design at Jungheinrich AG. Johannes holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Helmut Schmidt University with a focus on high-voltage IGBT-based switches.

Lorenzo is a Simulation Engineer at Novac, where he focuses on designing and analysing energy storage systems for specialized applications, including batteries and supercapacitors. His experience includes developing powertrain simulations for fuel cell-supercapacitor hybrid vehicles using Simulink and MATLAB.

With over 15 years of experience in automotive strategy, technology, and mobility innovation, José is a leading advisor in e-powertrains, emerging business models, and regulatory trends. Currently a Mobility Advisory Lead at Frost & Sullivan, he helps organizations navigate the intersection of EV technology, AI, and sustainability to drive new growth opportunities. Previously, he led future powertrain strategy at Jaguar Land Rover, shaping electrification roadmaps, emissions compliance, and advanced propulsion systems.

The Pop in Your Job: The variety. Every day our clients set us new challenges.

As part of RWTH Aachen University, the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) researches the complete vehicle including its systems and their interactions. From the initial idea to innovative component and system concepts to vehicle prototypes, the Institute's staff actively design solutions for tomorrow's mobility. To this end, we work together in public and bilateral projects with and for manufacturers and suppliers with an automotive focus to ensure that future mobility will continue to be safe, efficient and attractive.

ZF is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 429,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). The company generated sales of 91.6 billion euros in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, conn

For more than 30 years, Wolfspeed has been the global leader in Silicon Carbide technology and production—harnessing its power to change the world for the better. Our customers leverage our disruptive technology to create products that support a more efficient, sustainable future. Our solutions allow for breakthroughs within various industries and applications, including electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and storage, and aerospace and defense. Our people dedicate themselves to creating a global semiconductor powerhouse driving the worldwide transition from silicon-to-Silicon Carbide.

Novac is an innovative company founded in Modena in 2020, specializing in advanced energy storage solutions. Its core product is a solid-state, shapeable supercapacitor made from proprietary safe and high-efficiency materials. Thanks to their moldable nature, Novac supercapacitors can seamlessly integrate into composite materials like carbon fiber, optimizing space, reducing weight, and enhancing safety. This groundbreaking technology is particularly beneficial for the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries, where efficiency, sustainability, and peak energy management are critical. By addressing key challenges such as battery stress and degradation during high-power demands, Novac’s supercapacitors extend the lifespan of energy systems while improving performance. With its innovative approach, Novac is redefining energy storage by offering a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable alternative to traditional battery technologies.

Frost & Sullivan is a leading global market research, consulting, and advisory firm with more than 60 years of foundation. With over 1200 experts, growth advisors, and visionaries in 45 global offices, Frost & Sullivan provides the following critical services to our “partners” supporting their growth strategies in 12+ major industry verticals: Growth Opportunity Analytics, Growth Advisory & Growth Coaching.