Welcome to Aquaporin Academy 2.0

Aquaporin Academy has been an integral part of our company for over nine years. More than 150 students have done projects within the Academy, and several students have become full-time employees upon finishing their studies. Building a well-functioning Academy is not just for the sake of adding extra hands to our company – it is a matter of inviting some of the brightest minds in to explore and broaden the horizon of what we thought possible. Aquaporin provides students with direct access to experts in the field, mentors, and equipment, allowing them to conduct the research they need for their projects, but also access to a unique company culture with a vibrant international atmosphere.

Being part of Aquaporin Academy is unique, and every year, a small group of selected students join and get the support and help they need to turn their ideas into reality. Many of the employees who mentor and help the students have one thing in common: they are primarily previous Academy students themselves. 

Karolina Jastrembska, Project Specialist, is a former member of Aquaporin Academy, but today, she is leading it. It was a no-brainer for Karolina to take on the challenge of guiding new Academy students.

“I think it is about giving back. When I joined the Academy, my life changed in a way. I moved to Denmark and knew only my supervisor, Mads. Aquaporin welcomed me with open arms and gave me a lot of opportunities to grow as a person, but also within my field of research,” says Karolina Jastrembska, and continues:

“I think many people here feel the same way. We want to give back to a program that helped us grow. We know a lot of the questions and struggles that you may have as a student, and we can help guide them in their career and personal growth transitioning from studies to the industry.” 

Karolina Jastrembska, Project Specialist

Eye-opening curiosity

At Aquaporin Academy, we want to provide a program with time for each student, and by doing so we have created some core principles we are working around. We want our supervisors to be available, and we want them to take the time required to support the young students entering the doors of Aquaporin.

“We expect students to come in with a curious mind and a desire to learn. There is a lot to take away from the Academy, and I believe you will rarely get so much access to all company layers as you do here. That is unique and something to cherish,” says Karolina. 

Aquaporin invites students from many different fields to apply and accepts new students twice a year. It does not matter if you are working with membranes and proteins or if you are working with business development, artificial intelligence, or marketing. An open mind, curiosity, and can-do attitude counts.

Challenging the status quo

The last batch of students got training from the Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Customer Service, Ed Renner, on presenting in front of an audience and making the complex simple. 

“I am happy to provide my years of expertise so the Academy students can confidently stand in front of an audience and present their projects. It is always exciting to teach years of learnings to an enthusiastic audience willing to learn,” says Ed Renner, and adds:

“A big part of the culture of Aquaporin is that we cultivate talent, and we invest in talent. If I can give back to our incredible talent by providing insights I have learned, I am ecstatic about doing so.” 

Ed Renner, VP Brand & Marketing, Customer Service

For Karolina, the Academy is about giving the students the freedom and the opportunity to succeed with their projects. 

 “We give them a lot of responsibility because we believe in them. We allow them to grow with us, and with their unspoiled minds and different point of view, they challenge us to do new things in return,” she explains. 

At Aquaporin, solving challenges is ingrained into our DNA, and we must constantly evolve and develop. Herein, the students of the Academy are vital to constantly push the boundaries of what we thought possible.

Are you ready for a challenge? Apply for our Academy now. Available opportunities will appear on this site.