Jennifer Bednorz
Born 1988
Construction engineer – specialised in structural civil engineering
“Structures, Corrosion Protection, Bridge Equipment“ Section
Working at BASt from 2008 to 2014 and since 2016
In my career orientation phase following my Abitur I came across the varied range of training opportunities offered by BASt. The interesting combination of applied mathematics and construction appealed to me and I therefore embarked on a draughtswoman apprenticeship at BASt in 2008. I was most impressed by the variety of topics addressed in the Bridges and Structural Technology Department. I was able to reduce the apprenticeship by a year and therefore complete it in two years before staring a civil engineering degree course. Working part time as a draughtswoman was a great opportunity to gain an insight into practice and research and to collect professional experience alongside my course.
After successfully completing my Bachelor course in 2014 I worked as a construction engineer in bridge building for a medium-sized engineering office. On completion of my Masters course in 2016 I was given the great opportunity to return to BASt in the “Tunnel and Foundation Engineering, Tunnel Operation, Civil Security“ Section and to work in the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) Network of Experts. I was particularly interested in investigating the impact of extreme events on bridges and tunnels and in the interdisciplinary collaboration with other departmental research institutes. In 2017 I was lucky to be taken on with an open-ended employment contract and moved to the “Steel Structures, Corrosion Protection, Bridge Equipment“ Section in which I now concentrate on the subject of “Building Information Modelling“ in civil engineering.
My tasks include the independent processing of projects with my own research as well as the planning, implementation and support of external research projects. My area of responsibility is very varied and also offers me the opportunity to address current and future issues.
Just as important as the creation of research reports is the practical implementation of the results, for which I give papers in a national and international environment, participate in conferences and congresses and write scientific articles for publications.
Even during my apprenticeship and studies I was given widespread support by experienced colleagues and engineers. My Bachelor thesis on the subject of designing and constructing a reinforced concrete bridge was also set and supported by BASt.
The mutual support provided by colleagues when working in different teams enriches project work as does the regular professional dialogue with line managers on project content and further approaches. In addition to the provision of specialised literature, I am given the opportunity in training sessions and seminars to further my education and development both on a professional and private level. The participation in congresses also promotes professional dialogue outside of the Institute.
Since 2017 I have been lecturing at the Technical University of Cologne in the “BIM in bridge construction and civil engineering” module of the civil engineering Masters course. The flexible working hours also permit me to meet this commitment also alongside my everyday work.