Asparn, Geneva – dream job in science
“On the first day I felt like a child for whom Christmas and Easter are at the same time,” says Jacqueline Keintzel in an interview with NÖN.
After graduating from BORG Mistelbach, the Asparner went to Vienna University of Technology to study Technical Physics. She later came to Geneva for her master’s degree, where she now works as a Senior Research Fellow in the field of beam optics.
Every now and then she even forgets where she is allowed to work: “When my family or friends come to visit me, I realize again where I actually work: in the world’s largest science laboratory,” says Keintzel happily.
In her work as a physicist, Keintzel has important tasks at CERN: “We make sure that the particle beams circulate and keep to their path. I work specifically in beam optics and, among other things, carry out calculations in this area,” explains the scientist. However, their work at the LHC, the Large Hadron Colider, is not enough.
She also works on design concepts for previous accelerators and performs measurements and analyzes for the particle accelerator in Japan. The young woman from Asparn has a lot of positive things to say about her work at CERN. Especially about a career as a woman in science: “There are fewer women than men in physics, but in my hierarchy, with my bosses and colleagues, it has never made a difference. Gender, skin color, religion or origin play no role here. If I’ve heard a comment just aimed at saying I’m a woman, it’s more likely to come from my peers.”
Motivation and curiosity important
Keintzel has just one tip for young women who want to pursue a career in the natural sciences: “Just do it! It is most important to bring an enthusiasm. Motivation and curiosity are key. Then nothing stands in the way of it.”
In her opinion, only a small portion of luck was part of it: “As in all situations in life. Above all, you have to have enough courage and simply try to gain a foothold where your own interests lie.”