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Postdoc Academy of the Berlin University Alliance

We talk to researchers from the four Berlin universities who have left academia to build a successful and fulfilling career in industry, policy, science communication, entrepreneurship, and beyond. This isn't about ready-made career blueprints. We want to know what the decisive turning points were, what the transition actually felt like, and what they found on the other side. Were there moments of doubt? Which skills from their research career turned out to be surprisingly valuable? And looking back, what were the real success factors that brought them to where they are now? Postdocs from all disciplines will find honest reflections, practical insights, and inspiration for thinking about their own next steps. A podcast by the Postdoc Academy of the Berlin University Alliance. Learn more: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/index.html

Episodes

  1. May 21

    Dr. Rhea Machado | From Technische Universität Berlin to scientist-entrepreneur

    In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rhea Machado, a chemical engineer who transitioned into a scientist-entrepreneur, transforming academic research into a startup tackling some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.  As a co-founder of Porelio, Rhea is developing advanced materials to remove persistent pollutants—so-called “forever chemicals”—from water, contributing to a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future. Rhea shares candid insights into what it means to step into entrepreneurship without a safety net—and why, in her case, not having a Plan B became a powerful motivator rather than a risk. She reflects on navigating motherhood alongside building a company, and why strong support systems—both at home and professionally—are not optional, but essential. Importantly, she highlights the role of institutional support in enabling this transition. Mentorship and early-stage programs at TU Berlin, particularly the StarTUps initiative, played a key role in helping her move from research to real-world application. Beyond strategy and structure, this episode captures something often overlooked: the genuine joy of building something meaningful with a team. Rhea speaks about the energy that comes from working toward shared goals, and the sense of purpose that can emerge when scientific expertise meets entrepreneurial drive. The interview was conducted by Dr. Christina Ayazi from ZEWK at TU Berlin.

    38 min

About

We talk to researchers from the four Berlin universities who have left academia to build a successful and fulfilling career in industry, policy, science communication, entrepreneurship, and beyond. This isn't about ready-made career blueprints. We want to know what the decisive turning points were, what the transition actually felt like, and what they found on the other side. Were there moments of doubt? Which skills from their research career turned out to be surprisingly valuable? And looking back, what were the real success factors that brought them to where they are now? Postdocs from all disciplines will find honest reflections, practical insights, and inspiration for thinking about their own next steps. A podcast by the Postdoc Academy of the Berlin University Alliance. Learn more: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/index.html