Curiosity as a compass: between research, start-ups and energy innovation

How do you plan a linear career path? The best approach is not to plan at all—at least, if you listen to Julius Remmlinger. His journey shows just how rewarding it is to pursue your interests, trust your gut, and seize the right opportunities when they arise.

When Julius Remmlinger was looking for a degree program in 2016, he faced a challenge: he wanted to study something in the natural sciences, but with a practical focus. Although he was interested in chemistry, he couldn’t imagine a career spent exclusively in the lab. At RPTU Kaiserslautern, he finally discovered the Industrial Engineering degree program with a focus on chemistry—and his mind was made up. Here, he didn’t stop at theory but learned how to apply chemical knowledge in practice.

Even in his first few semesters, Julius Remmlinger realized just how much the program’s versatility appealed to him.

“I found it exciting to jump between marketing, process engineering, and organic chemistry in a single day and to delve into completely different topics,” he says.

At the same time, his desire to be prepared for the real world is being fulfilled—through presentations, oral exams, and intensive discussion. “After all, what matters later on isn’t whether you can recite every formula by heart, but whether you can delve into complex topics and ask good questions.”

Learning How to Learn—From Kaiserslautern to Paris

What has particularly shaped Julius during his studies is the realization that learning is more than just absorbing information. This insight is reinforced during his semester abroad at the Institut Mines-Télécom Business School south of Paris, where he takes courses in French. Differences in methods, structure, and approaches open up new perspectives for him and confirm what he has already experienced at RPTU: learning processes thrive on active engagement and looking beyond disciplinary boundaries.

Passion Meets Entrepreneurial Spirit

Julius Remmlinger enjoys delving into new topics not only in his studies. His practical mindset also shapes him beyond the lecture halls. Together with two friends from his youth, he founded a climbing startup while still a student. “Banana Climbing GmbH” got its start in a small workshop in the Saarland, where a friend builds wooden elements for climbing gyms. “At some point, people wanted to buy them,” says Julius Remmlinger. “We were in our early 20s and suddenly had to register a company so we could issue invoices. We didn’t think too much of it—we just went for it—and suddenly we’d grown really big.”

Entry into the Energy Industry

In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Julius Remmlinger completed internships in mechanical engineering and plastics processing until a new opportunity arose during his master’s program: In an entrepreneurship specialization course taught by Prof. Dr. Dennis Steininger, who holds the Chair of Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, he developed business models and wrote a seminar paper on how investors view startups.

His exploration of innovation and investment logic ultimately led to his master’s thesis. For this project, he spent six months working in the strategy department at EnBW AG. “Writing a master’s thesis at a corporation like that is a huge opportunity and a bit like an internship,” says Julius Remmlinger. “You gain a lot of insights, get to know people, and work on real-world problems.” His work at EnBW coincided with a period of intense debate in the energy sector. “At that time, there were an incredible number of new developments and, at the same time, many opinions that weren’t always backed by solid scientific evidence.” This intersection of research, practical application, and societal relevance immediately captivated him and would shape his future path.

Career Start with Startup Investments

After earning his master’s degree, Julius joined EnBW New Ventures, the group’s venture capital arm. There, for two years, he analyzed startups in the climate and energy technology sectors, held discussions with founders, and oversaw investments. He was particularly impressed by the teams’ energy: “You work with people who are super motivated and totally passionate about their idea.”

During this time, Julius Remmlinger returned twice as a guest speaker to Prof. Dr. Steininger’s lecture series. “I really enjoyed giving lectures. Maybe that was the decisive push I needed to return to research,” he says.

Energy Systems of Tomorrow: Ph.D. in an EU Network

Today, Julius Remmlinger is pursuing his Ph.D. in a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network on consumer demand flexibility in future energy systems. He is investigating how renewable energies can be integrated at the city and state levels and what role consumer behavior plays in this process.

“The Ph.D. is a perfect opportunity to dive deep into a topic for three or four years and develop my own ideas from it.”

Julius leaves open where his doctoral work will lead him. He’s passionate about the energy industry, research allows for depth, and his experience with startups remains ever-present in the background. Perhaps someday another idea will emerge that’s big enough to pursue.

Networking and Staying Calm

When Julius Remmlinger thinks back on his time at RPTU, he particularly enjoys recalling the university’s campus atmosphere: “You see the same people over and over again, can strike up conversations, and discuss topics across disciplinary boundaries,” he says. “Friendships and networks also form through Unisport. Of course, it’s a hurdle to go there at first when you don’t know anyone. But it’s worth it.”

What he shares with students isn’t a step-by-step career guide, but rather a mindset. “There are always many options, but I never took the first one that came along,” he says. Instead, he advises seeking out conversations, taking your time, and figuring out which work environment suits your personality. “It can’t hurt to get to know your own needs before you make a decision.” A calm demeanor is also helpful during your studies. “It’s not the end of the world if you don’t understand something right away. And most of the time, you’re not the only person in the room who feels that way.”

Julius Remmlinger has put into practice what he recommends to students: He took advantage of the opportunities at RPTU and found an environment that continues to shape his career to this day. His career path clearly shows how much can come of it when you let curiosity guide you and remain open to whatever unfolds.