Whether he’s working with a mass spectrometer or on a carpentry project he designed himself, Prof. Dr. Magnus Schmidt rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.
Profs in the spotlight: Prof. Dr. Magnus Schmidt lectures and researches at Furtwangen University
Anyone who has an interview appointment with Prof. Dr. Magnus Schmidt at Furtwangen University finds themselves slightly out of breath after just ten minutes. Schmidt answers questions, talks about research projects, keeps an eye on his inbox while he speaks, coordinates with colleagues who drop by, and expertly operates the espresso machine. Just a few questions later, it becomes clear − this hands-on approach, the determination to tackle a wide variety of tasks with rolled-up sleeves − that seems to be it, the special Schmidt formula.
Schmidt is a chemist; he has been teaching and conducting research at Furtwangen University since 2019. Here, too, he tackles many topics simultaneously − whether it’s new materials for CO₂ sequestration, modern adsorbent technologies, or the immobilisation of enzymes for food production − Schmidt is enthusiastic, “Here, you can really let loose across the entire spectrum of chemistry!” Carbohydrate chemistry, in particular, is a subject close to Magnus Schmidt’s heart. In this subfield of organic chemistry, he is especially fascinated by substances that have potential antibiotic effects.
Magnus Schmidt seems so very much at home in his office, in the lecture halls, the labs, and even the study corners − all of which we tour during our conversation − that it’s hard to believe this career path wasn’t his plan from the start. But sometimes a scientific career doesn’t begin with top grades, but with a “aha” moment. For Prof. Schmidt, it was a chemistry teacher who gave “incredibly good lessons.” “I was a pretty bad student,” Schmidt laughs, recalling his childhood in Wolterdingen. But then he became captivated by those fantastic chemistry classes − so much so that he switched schools. “At the nutrition-focused high school in Villingen, I had classes with a certified chemist, so fortunately we spent a lot of time on chemistry and less on nutrition,” says Schmidt. His enthusiasm led him to enroll at the University of Constance. Schmidt comes from a family with a background in the trades, but that was never an obstacle for him, he says, “I always knew − you have to put in the work if you want to get ahead”. After four weeks of studying, however, it became clear to him, “Now it’s all or nothing.” Since the material didn’t come easily to him, he applied the Schmidt formula − roll up your sleeves and get to work. “I made up for a lot through hard work,” says Schmidt, even though he was initially at odds with mathematics, physics and quantum mechanics. But from his preliminary diploma to his final diploma, his performance steadily improved. “The older I got, the better my mind connected the dots,” he says. Connections became clear, and his understanding grew. In the end, he earned a doctorate with the distinction of summa cum laude.
His next step took him into industry − to a startup he had become acquainted with while still a student. There, he worked in development. Even as a student, he had wondered why companies bought so many expensive chemical substances when they might be able to produce them themselves. It was precisely this way of thinking that he was now able to bring to the table.
The company grew, structures were established, and so were responsibilities. In 2015, Schmidt took over management of a site in Donaueschingen. For eight years, he shaped the company’s development, organisation, and growth − and above all, he tackled every task with determination. “I just always did what needed to be done,” he says of that time.
Today, this same drive to shape things is evident in his research at Furtwangen University. Schmidt enjoys the research projects not just for their content. The equipment is also a special bonus. “We have a suite of high-performance instruments here, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometers − you don’t usually find that at a university of applied sciences,” he enthuses. And should something ever go wrong with a piece of equipment − the person who watches the maintenance crew work late into the night and takes careful note of everything is, of course, Magnus Schmidt.
Schmidt had already established ties with Furtwangen University while he was working in industry. As a lecturer and member of an industry advisory board, he got to know the academic world from a new perspective. Then came 2019, a turning point. Within a matter of days, Schmidt had to decide what path to take − industry, administration, or a professorship. Three days to make a life-changing decision. He chose the university.
Today, Prof. Dr. Magnus Schmidt passes on exactly what shaped him − good teaching. His goal is clear − to be accessible and supportive, especially during challenging phases like exam preparation. For him, teaching is not a byproduct but a central component of his work. That’s why, for example, he also cares about how and where students can learn in his department; he’s working with a local carpenter to design new seating areas. “I’m always on the lookout for things like that,” he admits with a laugh.
The Schmidt formula works − whether in teaching, research, or in his role as associate dean in the Faculty of Health, Medical and Life Sciences − Magnus Schmidt brings a blend of scientific excellence and down-to-earth hard work to everything he does. It does take a lot of energy, he admits; sometimes he certainly takes unconventional paths, but there’s simply too much to do. He is currently passionately pursuing a plan to incorporate medicinal chemistry into the university’s degree programme. “I see great potential there,” he says. According to the Schmidt formula, it’s clear what he means − just get on with it.
Professors in the spotlight:
In this series, we introduce the renowned scientists who teach and conduct research at Furtwangen University. HFU is a university of applied sciences; therefore, its professors have many years of practical experience. We present these fascinating life and career stories in no particular order.