Miladin Jokić, technician at InnoRenew CoE; main areas of activities: assistance in technical research realisation, use and maintenance of laboratory equipment

• Where were you living in childhood and where do you live now?

I was born in Banja Luka and spent my early childhood in the country. I went to primary school in Ljubljana, and later to Rakek, and to secondary school in Postojna, where I was trained as a wood technician. During my faculty study, I again lived in Ljubljana, then for a nearly one year in Spain (Alicante) and Portugal on internship. Now I live in Cerknica and drive to work in Izola; I am flexible and, therefore, not tied to places.

• What have you studied and what were the motives for your decision?            

I studied carpentry at the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana. I chose this study because of the intern scholarship offered (Brest factory) and because schooling was nearby, but I was interested in different technical fields. I have a lot of experience in the field of construction and interior design, which carpentry covers with its wide field of application. Later, I was also very interested in composite materials.

• How would you describe your work to someone outside your field?

The work of a technician at InnoRenew CoE requires a versatile and innovative person who has manual skills, which are important in the technical part of the research, like preparation of samples or test aids, and sometimes even mechanical installations, for which my colleague Josip and I are in charge. My work also includes control, service and maintenance of equipment; assistance in planning and purchasing new equipment for various projects or public procurement; purchase of materials, gases and raw materials; place arrangement and connection; and assistance to researchers in equipment use. In addition, I take care of a section of the website dedicated to the presentation of laboratory equipment and services to external users. I maintain an online equipment reservation system, which helps a lot in organizing work, controlling and reducing operating costs and preparing the annual work report.

At the end of this year, we plan to move into a new building where I will, among other things, help with the restart of devices, inspection and change in the design work for technical installations and ergonomic and logistical arrangement of workspaces.

• What does your typical working day look like?

My working day already starts at home with morning coffee and reading emails. When I get to work, I start with the planned work, most often this is maintenance work on equipment or help with research. Then I focus on bureaucracy, further planning and issues of individual projects. My flexibility and good organization of time help me to perform tasks successfully.

• What makes you excited about your work?

Diversity, dynamics and interactive cooperation. Sometimes I encounter problems for which I do not know the solution, which arouses my curiosity.

• And what is the biggest challenge at your work?

To learn something new, improve and simplify every work commitment in terms of creativity and time economy.

• Which scientist or scientific achievement are you fascinated by and why?

I most appreciate Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla, who, in my opinion, contributed revolutionary ideas about the use and extraction of energy, thus helping to reduce the consequences of our destructive manner of grabbing for it. I don’t think there were any new revolutionary ideas in this area later.

• Tell us about the work of art (books, music, movies, theatre, dance, visual arts) that has a special place in your life.

I enjoy all kinds of music, wherein especially important to me is melody. I am very excited about the folklore that I have been studying for eight years. I like a lot of paintings and sculptures; I also like to create myself. I am fascinated by old Yugoslav and Mel Gibson films and Russian literature.

• What have you read, listened to, or watched lately?

In my free time, I like to watch a feature film or a documentary, but I also like to watch a theatrical performance, such as “The Effect” (directed by Eva Nina Lampič). I read a lot of technical literature at work, and audio broadcasts are great to spice up car driving.

• Which place on the Slovene coast do you like the most?

There are many beautiful corners everywhere, but I make my favourites with good company or a loved one.

• What makes you enthusiastic?

Everything. Every wonderful new morning is a new opportunity to make up for lost time.

• Characterize your life’s guidance or an important realization (or epiphany) you have experienced.

VENI, VIDI, VICI! ?

• What does the charm of wood mean to you?

Each natural material represents a work of art of nature, but wood, unlike other materials, with its annual rings, carries a personal record, the history of its creation. Each look at it reveals a new story that inspires me at work.