Interview For Chemtogether 2019 Dr. Volker Wolfart

What are your current responsibilities in the area of business development at CARBOGEN AMCIS AG?

"My responsibility is to ensure the company grows to its full potential on the market where my focus is currently set in Switzerland."

You started working at CARBOGEN AMCIS AG in 1998. Into which fields did you gain insight and were you able to follow your career aspirations throughout that time?

"Back then, my main field of action back was organic syntheses for clients around the globe. I became the team leader of a small team to serve pharma project tasks including doing chemistry in the lab, scaling it up to multi kilograms and evaluating and finding solutions for synthetic approaches to a new drug. This path more or less matched my aspirations."

How did the company change over the range of time and what are your visions for the future?

"Starting with slightly more than 50 employees we grew into almost 600 employees today. We started with one site in Aarau and extended to four sites in Switzerland and four additional ones in Europe and Asia. The basic business model is still the same. What has changed are the responsibilities, the breadth of project types, the number of clients and the value of projects. The vision is to grow at a healthy pace and to attain new drugs for us to develop and manufacture which are also in the area of ADCs (Antibody Drug Conjugates).

A lot of your past and present work at the company dealt with regulatory affairs, leading and managing teams and building new company sites. How much of “natural science” do you still encounter each day?

"I only have very little contact with practical science in daily life. However, you cannot grow a scientific company not knowing where it all comes from."

After finishing your degree in Chemistry at the Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, you obtained a PhD and worked as postdoctoral researcher at BASF before joining CARBOGEN AMCIS AG. Is it still necessary nowadays to finish a PhD or Postdoc before joining the company?

"Not at all. What is important is your academic background, your personality and your willingness to add upon your current knowledge."

You have been with CARBOGEN AMCIS AG for more than 20 years. In your opinion, what does the company offer employees so that you have remained loyal to the company for so long? Are you able to find a good balance between work and your outside life?

"The company offers an interesting field to establish new crafts and talents and offers a very good working environment. The team spirits are excellent, and I still feel like I am working with the best people there are out there! Yes, CARBOGEN AMCIS AG offers a good work-life balance to me. If I need some inspiration, I grab my fishing gear and sit at one of the beautiful lakes to receive new impressions.

Which suggestions do you have for a recent ETH graduate applying for jobs orvinternships?

First: Know what you want for your career. Think of where to start but keep the long-term goal in mind. Where do you see yourself in 10 years, for example? Second: Be aware that YOU have something to offer too, e.g. your working power, your talents and your scientific education. These are things that your employer will benefit from. Third: Be bold and humble at the same time. For instance, call the HR people of the companies you are interested in and talk to them about your plans and intentions. Maintain an attitude of willingness to learn. Fourth: Be yourself and presentof willingness to learn. Fourth: Be yourself and presentyourself to those interested in you.