“Graphene has such a huge potential and it’s truly amazing that Graphmatech has cracked the code. I really look forward to joining the team”, says Johan Juuso, currently working as Nuclear Waste Management and Decommissioning Engineer at the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB). In September, he starts working for Graphmatech.

Or, you are actually returning to Graphmatech, right?

Yes! I did my master thesis project at Graphmatech, so I’ve spent half a year with the company. My thesis was about enhancing lithium-ion batteries with graphene additives. This is really an interesting area with great potential. After graduation, I started working at SKB.

Why did you want to come back?

SKB and my job with nuclear waste management is great, but quite a contrast from working with a start-up. I’ve learned a lot from working in the structured and heavily regulated nuclear environment but missed the dynamic atmosphere at Graphmatech. I loved the team at Graphmatech, the curiosity and engineering spirit, and wanted to come back and be part of the growth journey. Being in a start-up, you are part of the process in a very direct way. The decision paths are short, and new things happen all the time. I like it that way. A lot of things are done for the first time, which I find very developing.

How did you get into chemical engineering in the first place?

Haha, I watched Breaking Bad and realized that chemistry is really cool. No, seriously, I knew early that I wanted to study engineering of some kind and found chemistry exciting. It truly is! I was born and raised in Gällivare in the northernmost part of Sweden, which is located in Sweden’s largest mining area, so the steel- and mining industry has always been a natural part of my life. I strongly believe that graphene will play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable industry, so the job means that several driving forces and interests meet.

Who are you as a person?

I am a curious person with a lot of interests. I love to be on stage, singing and acting, which I’ve done a lot during my years at the university. I actually still sing in a student choir. With my origins up north, I also love spending time in the mountains, skiing, hunting moose and trekking. And I play games, both computer games and ‘real’ games.

It sounds like you will bring both valuable experience, competence and good energy to the team, Johan. Looking forward to September when you embark the Graphmatech journey!