MICHAL ROLINEK
WHERE?
MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, TÜBINGEN, GERMANY
AREA OF WORK
- POSTDOC
- AUTONOMOUS LEARNING
AT IST AUSTRIA
- PHD STUDENT (2017), KOLOMGOROV GROUP
Michal Rolinek was a PhD student at IST Austria. He now works as a postdoc at the Max Plank Institute for Intelligent Systems. At IST Austria Michal Rolinek was in the Kolmogorv Group.
He returned to campus as a speaker at the Science Industry Day 2018 and found the time to give an interview and answer some interesting questions about his work.
Watch the corresponding video on YouTube
WHAT’S WRITTEN ON YOUR BUSINESS CARD?
I don’t have a business card but if I had one it would say that I am a postdoc at the Max Plank Institute for intelligent systems.
WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
In our group, we are trying to connect new methods for artificial intelligence and to connect it with the world of robotics. And the coolest thing is that we have a whole floor of robots.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE?
I don’t have a particular plan right now. Luckily we live in the days where there are amazing opportunities for computer scientists so I will just wait and see where they take me.
WHAT’S YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
I got my master’s degree in Prague in mathematical analysis and here at IST, I got my PhD in theoretical computer science.
WHAT ROLE DID IST AUSTRIA PLAY IN YOUR CAREER?
IST played a massive role for my career. I am really happy to say that the opportunities that I have right now are nothing I was imagining three or five years ago and if you told me I would not have believed it.
GIVE THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO CURRENT IST AUSTRIA MEMBERS
One, learn as much as you can about as much as you can. I think that IST is a great place for learning no matter which position you are holding here.
Two, be compassionate the academic environment can be very pressurizing and stressful and the sources of stress can be often different for different people so it is hard to relate. Care for the wellbeing of your coworkers and they will do the same for you.
Three, do it for the joy. I think that joy is the best motivation to do science or to do anything really.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF IST AUSTRIA?
I have had so many great memories. I had a great time in our office and playing football great time at retreats. But if I were to pick one it was the few boxing matches I had in the lecture hall.
