Face of the LIB: Markus Reinhardt

What do you find special about working at a research institution like the LIB?

Research is subject to long-term processes - unlike in many commercial enterprises, where a lot has to happen quickly. However, I don't have that many points of contact with the research projects. The technology used by the biologists for research is cool to see, but in the end it doesn't matter to me from a technical point of view. We talk, but there is still no format for a professional exchange. The consultation is more about the hardware.

What interested you in the position of system administrator at the LIB?

When I applied, it was clear that this was a migration project in IT, i.e. away from the university and towards the LIB. That was the trigger. Then there was the merging of two locations and a hardware rollout. That doesn't happen very often. I was able to contribute many ideas here; the process is not yet complete. Now we have to make sure that we offer everyone enough space in the storage facility we have purchased. The planned new museum with digital offerings in the exhibition could also be exciting, but that will take some time.

How would you describe your job to a friend?

I work at a research museum with corresponding exhibition spaces and infinitely large collections, with fish in alcohol and insects in the dry collection.

What does nature mean to you personally?

My wife and I go on a lot of cycle tours and enjoy nature where there aren't so many cars and there is still a lot of countryside. In the summer, we did a cycle tour through Finland from Helsinki to the North Cape. Apart from that, I enjoy the advantages of the big city.

What would you have become if IT hadn't worked out?

Biologist. At school, biology and maths was my combi. I also applied for biology and got a place at university. But it was too far away from home and I started studying computer science nearby. But I wasn't a computer nerd back then - I am now.

What are the highlights of your day-to-day work? What are the challenges?

It depends on what's on the agenda. When an issue is over, like the laptops that came into the offices, and you can tick the box, that's good. We are now in the process of setting up WLAN access. At the beginning of next year, LIB employees will also have WLAN access in the exhibition, but not (yet) as visitors. Otherwise, IT security is currently a major issue. We are primarily working on prevention here.

What do you want people to associate with the LIB in ten years' time?

That something positive comes out of the research, that the efforts that are made lead to the goal and that a turnaround is achieved in the biodiversity crisis.

What are you doing yourself in terms of nature conservation?

We are making an effort. I consciously fly less and we try to limit our meat and dairy consumption. And I cycle a lot - even to work. In the summer, I took part in the bike challenge and helped to encourage my colleagues to cycle.

What is the biggest challenge for you in the field of environmental protection?

Getting as many people as possible involved in the environmental protection movement and getting them to recognise the benefits.

Which area at LIB is particularly close to your heart?

I like them all equally!

Markus Reinhardt has been a LIB employee from the very beginning. He has been employed as a system administrator and head of IT at LIB in Hamburg since 1 July 2021. After studying computer science in Dresden, he initially worked as a system administrator in Pasewalk (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) before working in the same position for ten years at etracker, a Hamburg-based tracking specialist for web analytics.