• Postgraduate Studies
• Breda, Netherlands

About Me

I’m Konstantinos. I studied Physics and, for the past few years, I’ve been working in the high‑tech industry in the Netherlands. In my free time, I enjoy music, sports, volunteering, reading, good food, and… research.

Why I Chose My Career

From a young age, I showed a strong inclination toward science and technology. As I grew older, I realized I wanted to work in applied physics, computing, and research across different technological fields.

I completed my Undergraduate Studies in Physics at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and my Master’s degree at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, specializing in experimental physics of nanoscale materials, semiconductors, optics, and lasers.

After finishing my Master’s, I faced the classic dilemma: PhD studies or a career in high‑tech industry? The answer came during my internship at a startup. There, I understood how valuable my academic knowledge was — both technically and in understanding how a company operates and what it needs. I also discovered how exciting it is to work in a competitive environment where every day brings a new challenge.

After two years in that startup, I continued in a similar role at a larger company in the same field, designing and building machines used in the production of the world’s smallest microchips.

I chose physics because it is fundamental and gave me the tools to understand and describe the world around me. With physics as a foundation and a few targeted specializations, many different paths opened up — leading to a variety of career directions.

Why I Became a Volunteer at R.E.A.L Science

I really enjoy talking with young people and listening to their thoughts and concerns. I also love communicating science and explaining how physical phenomena shape the world around us.

As a student, I often felt that school lacked direct communication with professionals from the fields that interested me — despite the best efforts of teachers. The peak of that confusion came when I had to fill out my university application and wondered what on earth graduates of each department actually did.

If R.E.A.L Science had existed back then, I might have known. So when I heard about the initiative, I signed up without a second thought.