FHV studies paved the way to a Ph.D.: How an interest led to a career in research

Asking new questions 

“The Contextual Studies programme as part of my degree at FHV gave me the opportunity not only to learn answers, but also- for the first time - to work on questions for which there are no answers yet,” says Tobias, describing his experience. Even while he was a student, he worked as a student assistant at the Microtechnology Research Centre at the FHV. When the topic of “modal energy transfer” came up there, it was clear: this was exactly the area he wanted to explore more deeply. 
As part of the Contextual Studies programme, the university offers students the opportunity to participate in research projects. For Tobias, this was his introduction to a field that continues to fascinate him to this day: vibration engineering- particularly its intersection with system dynamics and modeling. “Understanding how vibrations can be specifically influenced and even deliberately harnessed immediately captivated me.” 
But something else was decisive for him: “In research, I’m not just working through a known solution. The outcome is open-ended. That’s more uncomfortable, but that’s exactly what drove me.”

From research project to doctoral dissertation 

The project directly led to his master's thesis, titled “Optimization of an Electromagnetic Actuator for Induced Modal Energy Transfer.” The deeper he delved into the subject, the clearer it became: this was where his academic focus lay. Tobias sees the opportunity to build on existing research and engage in specialisation in a topic over an extended period as a particular benefit of Contextual Studies.
A highlight was presenting his research at an international scientific conference - as the only master’s student among numerous doctoral candidates.
Looking back, pursuing a Ph.D. wasn’t part of the plan from the start. “Many of these steps were coincidences or opportunities that arose at just the right moment. But the direction was always the same: vibration engineering.”

Research as an opportunity for students 

Tobias’s journey shows how an initial academic interest can turn into a passion when students are exposed to research early on. A project became a master’s thesis; a specialisation in the subject became a clear focus - and ultimately, a research career in vibration engineering. 
At the same time, research imparts skills that go far beyond traditional courses: tackling open-ended questions, developing new solutions, and dealing with uncertainty.
“Contextual Studies taught me more than just knowledge: it gave me direction and turned an interest into a passion for the field that has stayed with me to this day,” says Tobias.

Fact box
Contextual studies at FHV 

The Contextual Studies programme at FHV is part of the master’s degree programme and is unique among Austria’s universities of applied sciences. As part of this programme, students have the opportunity to work on current research questions alongside FHV researchers in the respective research centres and groups and to gain insight into scientific work. This often leads to topics for bachelor’s or master's theses, valuable practical experience, new contacts, and perspectives for their future careers.  

Contact:

Tobias GORBACH, BSc MSc
Research Assistant

+43 5572 792 3833
tobias.gorbach@fhv.at