Asmaa Qdemat: Develop expertise in a field the world will need!

Her job is anything but ordinary: Asmaa Qdemat is a neutron scattering scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she is responsible for  the Magnetism Reflectometer beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source. Her journey to this role began in Palestine and led through Germany, France, and ultimately the United States, building expertise in neutron scattering and magnetic nanomaterials along the way. Her background is ideally suited for this role: She studied physics at Al-Quds University in her native Palestine and at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), earning her doctorate in 2020 from RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich. She later, she spent several years in Jülich managing the small-angle X-ray scattering instrument and completed a ten-month research stay at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) neutron reactor in France.

Ms. Qdemat, how did your path lead from your home in Palestine to Forschungszentrum Jülich?

During my undergraduate studies, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in research. However, the necessary research infrastructure and laboratories were limited in my home country Palestine, so I began looking for opportunities abroad. While searching online, I discovered a summer school at Forschungszentrum Jülich. I applied and was fortunate to be selected as one of 30 participants from around the world.

How did that summer school influence your subsequent career path?

My time in Jülich was transformative. I had the opportunity to meet professors from the JCNS institute and discuss the possibility of conducting my master’s research at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Together with Al-Quds University, a joint master's program was established, which became my first experience at a large international research facility and my introduction to neutron scattering. During my master’s reserch in Jülich, I applied for a doctoral position, allowing me to return after completing and defending my master's thesis in Palestine.

What distinguished the research at Forschungszentrum Jülich from the work done in Palestine?

What impressed me was the scientific environment and the truly international nature of the research. Scientists from many different countries worked together, exchanged ideas, and collaborated closely. Even as a student, I was  treated as a valued member of the scientific community and encouraged to take ownership of my research and career decisions. That experience had a lasting impact on me and continues to influence the way I work with students today.

Based on those experiences, you decided to pursue your doctorate at Forschungszentrum Jülich as well. How difficult was it to make the decision to continue living and working so far from home?

It was certainly not an easy decision. Leaving home and adapting to a different culture came with challenges. At the same time, I have always believed in taking opportunities when they arise. Over time, Germany became a second home for me. I got married and started a family during my doctoral studies, which helped me build a strong personal and professional life there.

Balancing a doctorate and a child isn’t easy. How did you manage it?

It was challenging at times, but looking back, it taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to balance multiple responsibilities. I never saw motherhood as an obstacle to my scientific career; instead, it became a source of motivation. Being both a scientist and a mother is something I value deeply. I was also fortunate to receive strong support from Forschungszentrum Jülich. For example, the parent-child room provided a space where parents could continue working when childcare arrangements changed unexpectedly. Later, my daughter was among the first children to attend the newly opened campus kindergarten, which was a tremendous help for my family.

Are there any other aspects of the research center that were particularly helpful to you or that have stayed with you?

Absolutely. Jülich provided much more than scientific training. It taught me how to collaborate internationally, lead research projects, supervise students, and communicate science effectively. The interdisciplinary environment and the opportunity to work with researchers from around the world helped shape me from a student into the independent scientist.  In many ways, it laid the foundation for the career I have today.

After completing your doctorate, you worked as a postdoc at the University of Cologne for a year before returning to Forschungszentrum Jülich. What prompted that return?

While working on a funding proposal for the German-Palestinian Science Bridge, I came up with the idea of ​​organizing the program around major research clusters. Because my research focused on nanomaterials, nanostructures, and magnetism, I helped establish the nanoscience research cluster and brought together several German and Palestinian scientists to participate. Once the project received funding from the BMBF, I returned to Forschungszentrum Jülich, where I spent several years managing the small-angle X-ray scattering instrument and supporting a broad user community. During that time, I also completed a ten-month research stay at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France, working at one of the world's leading neutron facilities. Scientifically, it was an exceptional opportunity, although it also meant spending an extended period away from my family.

Since December 2024, you have been living in the USA with your family and working at the Neutron Scattering Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

As a neutron scattering scientist, I am responsible for the Magnetism Reflectometer beamline;  currently the only instrument of its kind in North America dedicated to polarized neutron reflectometry studies of magnetic thin films and multilayers. In addition to conducting my own research, I support scientists from around the world in designing experiments, collecting high-quality data, and advancing their research programs. This is particularly important because neutron beam time is an extremely valuable resource. What I enjoy most about  the job is the apportunity to work with researchers from diverse  scientific and cultural backgrounds. Every experiment brings new ideas, new collaborations, and a new scientific challenge. It is incredibly exciting and rewarding to contribute to a facility that is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading user facility for neutron scattering experiments.

What kind of expertise was required to land this highly coveted—and permanent—position?

I often say: develop expertise in a field the world will need in the future. That philosophy guided many of my career decisions. For example, when the opportunity arose to spend ten months at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France, I knew it would be difficult to be away from my family. At the same time, I recognized that the experience would provide unique expertise and open doors for my future career. Looking back, it was one of the most important professional decisions I made. However, the foundation that made those opportunities possible was built at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Do you have any advice for aspiring scientists?

Scientific careers rarely follow a straight path. You have to be willing to embrace change, adapt to new environments, and sometimes step outside your comfort zone. The opportunities that shape your future are often the ones you never planned for. The easiest path rarely leads to the greatest opportunities for growth. It is important to seize opportunities, gain experience in diverse scientific environments, and  remain open to unexpected possibilities, even when they do not align with your original plans. In my experience, international collaboration and building relationships with scientists from different countries not only broaden your expertise but also create opportunities that you could never have anticipated.