SPIEGEL: Ms Janke, you started and completed your doctoral thesis at the University of Rostock the same day with your sister. Was that agreed?
Janke: Before we started, we traveled around New Zealand together for four months, Work and Travel. Accordingly, we returned the same day, got the same scholarship for our doctorates - and therefore we were able to start on the same day.
SPIEGEL: But it was no coincidence that you submitted the same day, right?
Janke: The day of the application was a deadline: until then you could submit the thesis to defend it in the summer semester. Since we wanted to be in the defense of each other and because we both now work, we both later defended - and so could celebrate together.
SPIEGEL: You moved from Berlin to Rostock to your sister's doctorate, who already did her bachelor and master there. Why?
Janke: We wanted to get closer together anyway. My sister then simply asked her professor if he did not have space for the chair for me. He loved it - and agreed.
SPIEGEL: How similar were your two doctoral theses in organic chemistry?
Janke: We were in the same workgroup and used the same methods, but in different labs. In case of problems, we were able to support each other accordingly and to work together to find ideas how to solve them. For three years we saw each other at work every day and lived together.
SPIEGEL: Is not that annoying to see your own sister for so long every day - at work and at home?
Janke: We had some minor quarrels - but in the past it was definitely more common. As twins, we try to build the other one - no matter what. One calms then rather than to hold against.
SPIEGEL: Your supervisor said that there was a time when he could barely tell them apart. How was that with your remaining colleagues?
Janke: It certainly took a year until nobody confused us anymore - especially from far away or from behind. I think it's easier to get to know each other separately. This was not the case for most of our PhD students in the group, so it was more difficult.
SPIEGEL: You have now gone back to Berlin for work, your sister to Hamburg. Are you looking forward to living and researching alone?
Janke: It's strange to live alone in Berlin again - because it's simply nicer to do things together. In the evening we can not see each other anymore to talk to each other. But luckily there are phones.
