In October 2014 I started my PhD journey under the supervision of professor Johan Braet and professor Johan Springael. I investigated one of the most ‘appealing’ research topics of the University of Antwerp: the effect of the transport and storage conditions during the distribution of Belgian exported beer (and the economic consequences) on the beer flavour and aroma. The research was performed in collaboration with KULeuven Technology Campus Ghent.
Beer on project expenses
As you can imagine, there were some advantages related to this research subject: I was the only PhD student that was able to buy beer on the project expenses (although I received multiple calls from the financial department asking some eyebrow-frowning questions…) and I was the only UAntwerp-employee that was allowed to drink beer during working hours (… of course for working purposes and driven by science).
By all means, the latter is approached from a humoristic point of view and there was also a lot of hard work involved. I designed multiple vibration, temperature and transport measurement- and simulation experiments, essential taste experiments and economic feasibility studies. Additionally, I performed multiple presentations for the major actors in the brewing industry that forced me to translate the complex research findings in specific comprehensible and useful recommendations.
“It predominantly triggered me to have an impact (the beer flavor instability problem is still an important problem with respect to exported beer) and at the same time interact with the leaders of the domain both in industry and academia.”
Unique profile
I believe that meeting inspiring people on the one hand, and the freedom and responsibility you have in doing PhD research on the other hand, make you stronger and help in advancing your career. The job allows you to excel in making and giving presentations, doing independent research, being self-motivated, and a whole range of other skills. Additionally, as a business engineer you have a truly unique profile in which you combine knowledge in both technology and business or economy and you can make the difference in almost every research domain.