After completing his PhD in condensed matter physics, Michal began his postdoctoral fellowship at the Synchrotron Light Source Switzerland (SLS) of the Paul Scherrer Institute under a "Fellow" program with the European Commission. During this time, he sharpened his scientific qualifications in the field of nanomagnetism. However, it was clear to Michal that he wanted to pursue a career in industrial research. 

True to his word, Michal joined ABB as a Research Scientist in June 2019. Since then, he has been part of the Switching Team, focusing on research into environmentally friendly alternatives to SF6 switchgear. What Michal values most about his work at ABB is the dynamic and diverse working environment. His colleagues come from various academic backgrounds such as theoretical physics, materials science, chemistry, and high-voltage electrical engineering. "Working in such diverse teams is advantageous because you can learn a lot from each other and collaborate towards common goals," says Michal. 

In addition to the technological aspects and diversity, he also values his daily work routine. "There's no 'typical' day at the Corporate Research Center, or CRC. The role of a scientist is very diverse. One day, you're fully engaged in lab work, focused on obtaining new results and learning. The next day, you're contributing to strategy development or brainstorming new projects and ideas on an entirely different topic. This not only keeps the work at CRC interesting but also exceptionally varied. I learn something new every day." 

According to Michal, three qualities distinguish a good researcher at ABB: solution-oriented thinking, openness to new ideas, and a collaborative spirit. Researchers Scientists must be good problem solvers because the topics and challenges they encounter are often novel and new. "In some projects, there is little or no existing research. Researchers need to be good at acquiring necessary knowledge, drawing from past experiences, and deepening their understanding to innovate new technologies. Additionally, it's crucial maintain an open mindset because at the CRC, you interact with people who have made significant achievements across diverse scientific fields. Given the interdisciplinary nature, teamwork becomes vital. Learning from each other, providing mutual support, and collaborating towards common goals are essential. The most significant breakthroughs emerge from teams that blend individual expertise to achieve collective success." 

Michal reflects very positively on his last three years at ABB. "The career development opportunities here are very motivating. You can follow a scientific career path or transition to leadership roles like team leader or product manager. Job rotations are also available, allowing research scientists to spend three months working in manufacturing to broaden their experience and expertise at production sites." Although Michal hasn't undertaken a job rotation yet, it's definitely at the top of his bucket list.