Experience reports from the FWJ in the Biological Psychology working group
Experience reports from the FWJ in the Biological Psychology working group
Here, participants in the Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ) report on their experiences in the Biological Psychology working group at the University of Oldenburg.
Greta Fuchs, FWJ 2025/2026
Why I thought: "Yes, I'll try that!"
After leaving school, I realised that I wanted to do something before going to university. I've been interested in biology, especially human biology, since I was a child. That's how I got into research. However, as I hadn't had any contact with it before, I wanted to have the chance to gain a realistic insight first. That's why an FWJ was ideal for me.
This is what a normal day looks like for me
My days can look very different, as we have very diverse areas of work, e.g. supporting studies, data preparation or tasks in science communication (SCoP). There are days when we spend all day helping with studies, whether at the MRT or at the University of Bremen, and there are days when we spend most of our time in the office preparing data. Let's take today as an example. I was in the office at 09:30. We had a lab meeting from about 10:15 - 11:15. At 11.30 I had lunch with the two FWJ students from the working group below us. Afterwards, I translated a layperson summary, digitised questionnaires for an upcoming study and completed a small task for SCoP. I'm currently writing this experience report and I'm about to leave for the English course that we're taking in one semester as part of the FWJ. Last week Wednesday, however, my daily routine was completely different. I was already at the MRI at 08:00 and spent the whole day helping with a study. We assist with the MRI measurements, can watch the psychological tests and carry out the Tap-M (a reaction time test), for example.
Challenges
The biggest challenge is definitely that you have to organise and motivate yourself independently. This can be very enjoyable as it gives you flexibility. However, it can also be very demanding. You have to learn which tasks to prioritise and work on them consistently. Without someone looking over your shoulder. You learn to appreciate personal responsibility and good organisation.
And afterwards? This is what happens next for me
After the FWJ, I will (hopefully) go on to study medicine. I actually wanted to study biomedicine or perhaps molecular biology at the beginning of the FWJ. The FWJ has given me the confidence and resources that I now dare to orientate myself towards medicine after all.
My tip for anyone thinking about doing an FWJ
I can recommend an FWJ if you have the courage to ask questions and are interested and open to learning.
Johann Stolle, FWJ 2025/2026
My FWJ in three words
Orientation, commitment, insight
After my Abitur, I didn’t want to just enrol anywhere; I wanted to find out first whether a career in research was really right for me. The Voluntary Research Year at the University of Oldenburg was my answer to that.
My day-to-day life mainly takes place in the office in the A7 building – punctuated by assignments in the Nessy building for MRI studies with participants and occasional trips to Bremen for further studies. A typical day starts early, hoping the train will run on time. Between office work and study sessions, my lunch break is spent going for a walk; after work, I take part in the university’s sports programme; and the journey home is once again a test of my optimism regarding local transport.
My most memorable moment was my first day at Nessy
Getting a behind-the-scenes look at an ongoing MRI study, experiencing how an examination with real participants is carried out, and seeing the technology in action for the first time. That’s when it dawned on me: I’ve really made it in science.
The most important realisation of the year was something else
Pure research work doesn’t fit my career profile. What drives me is the intersection of biology, nutrition and economics – science that has practical applications. The FWJ didn’t show me where I want to go by pointing me in the right direction, but by ruling out the wrong one. That’s just as valuable, if not more so.
What I learnt about myself in the process
You have to actively reach out to others and get involved in as many different work environments as possible. That’s the only way to find out what work you really enjoy. Anyone doing a FWJ should therefore try out as many different things as possible, attend lectures and network with colleagues from their own Department.
Next, I hope to get off to a flying start on the Industrial Engineering in Food Production degree programme at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, and the FWJ has given me the confidence that this is the right direction to take.
Tara Poppehoff, FWJ 2023/2024
Why did you decide to do a Voluntary Scientific Year?
Even while I was still at school, I had the desire to pursue my studies in a scientific direction in order to work in science in the future. The FWJ in biological psychology gave me the perfect opportunity to get to know everyday scientific life, different areas and interesting people. This gave me the opportunity to think about my exact choice of degree programme for another year and at the same time gain an insight into the possible world of work.
Where are you employed and what are your areas of responsibility?
I am employed at the Oldenburg Clinical Centre on the one hand and at the University of Oldenburg on the other. I work in biological psychology in the NBACCHI project, which deals with the neurobiological basis of changes in behaviour and experience in patients after a craniopharyngioma, a brain tumour in the region of the hypothalamus. Patients often suffer greatly from the consequences of their disease, such as hormonal deficits and severe weight gain. As part of the study, we collect endocrinological, neuropsychological and MRI data, in which I participate and work with both healthy controls and patients. I then send samples (e.g. saliva and blood) that we take during the endocrinological examinations to the laboratory at the clinic, label them, then decant them and freeze them before they are sent on. In addition to all the examinations, I also work a lot in the documentation and organisation of data, attend an English course and a Matlab seminar and have numerous opportunities to take part in lab meetings, symposia and courses. I have also received an MRI induction and will also receive an induction for the MEG in the future. In addition to the NBACCHI study, I also get to learn about other studies in biological psychology and have the opportunity to deal with a wide range of topics (ethics in medicine, observatory, study orientation) as part of the education days.
What challenges have you had to face so far?
I think working very independently and not being afraid to ask all kinds of questions was a bit difficult for me at the beginning. In the meantime, it is no longer a problem for me to familiarise myself with new tasks and to ask questions when things are unclear or to obtain the information I need for some problems independently.
What surprised you positively?
The team and the friendly interaction with us volunteers was a particularly positive surprise. As a volunteer, you naturally imagine that you won't be taken seriously because of your lack of knowledge, but that wasn't the case at all. I was very well accepted into the team and my comments and suggestions were always taken seriously. I could ask questions at any time and they were always answered in detail and at eye level. I also always had the feeling that it was important to everyone in my working group that the voluntary year helped me personally and I always had someone to talk to about this.