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Vanessa Koch

@vanessakoch

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Lead scientific consultant and materials scientist specializing in nanomaterials, coatings, and project leadership.

Germany

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can lead interdisciplinary R&D projects, translate materials research into applications, mentor teams, and work in collaborative, innovation-driven environments.

I am a materials scientist and lead scientific consultant with several years of experience in research and development, project and team management across international and interdisciplinary environments.

I have led and managed international research projects, supervised and mentored students, and driven process development and optimization in (nano)materials, coatings and renewable-energy-related applications.

My technical expertise includes preparation and characterization of nanomaterials (anodization; SEM, TEM, AFM, EDX, XPS, XRD, SE, IR, UV-Vis, electrochemistry) and coating technologies (ALD, CVD, PVD, wet chemical), complemented by publication and presentation experience in high-impact venues.

I combine scientific rigor with strategic consulting at C-level, certified project and agile training, strong communication skills, and a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset to translate research into innovative, real-world solutions.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Lead Scientific Consultant

Current

Leyton Deutschland GmbH

Jan 2025 - Present (8 months)

Provide cross-industry scientific and strategic consultancy for R&D funding at C-level and lead projects to secure innovation grants and optimise research portfolios.

Funding Research Strategic Consulting Stakeholder Engagement Proposal Writing

Current

Scientist & Project Manager

Current

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Feb 2019 - Present (6 years 7 months)

Led international interdisciplinary research projects in materials science, managed a team, developed and optimized processes, and published results in high-impact journals.

Process Development Project Management Team Leadership Scientific Writing SEM TEM ALD Electrochemistry

Research Student Assistant

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Oct 2016 - Aug 2017 (10 months)

Conducted research on noble metal nanostructures and contributed to process development and optimization for laboratory studies.

Nanostructures Process Optimization SEM Electrochemistry Data Analysis

Laboratory Assistant

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Feb 2015 - Sep 2015 (7 months)

Supervised and mentored students in laboratory courses for qualitative analytical chemistry and supported practical teaching activities.

Analytical Chemistry Mentoring Lab Safety

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Delft University of Technology

Materials / Nanoscience

2017 - 2018

Grade: 8.0

Research stay focused on preparation, characterization and photochemical investigation of graphene nanoplatelets coated with titanium oxide by atomic layer deposition (grade 8.0).

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Master of Science, Molecular Nanoscience

2016 - 2018

Grade: 1.0

Completed a Master of Science in Molecular Nanoscience with a thesis on deposition of lead sulfide by solution atomic layer deposition and conversion to perovskite for photovoltaic applications (grade 1.0).

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

2013 - 2016

Grade: 1.3

Completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a thesis on preparation of nanostructured iridium oxide and platinum electrodes as catalysts for water oxidation and reduction (grade 1.3).