He still experimented in Ørsted's Laboratory, but since at that time there was no prospect for a teaching position at the University, he took the pharmacist exam in 1815, later a master's degree (magisterkonferens) and on 21 October 1817 he defended his Doctoral dissertation on 'The effect of Alkalies upon organic substances'.
Han eksperimenterede stadig i Ørsteds laboratorium, men da der den gang ingen udsigt var til en lærervirksomhed ved universitetet, tog han 1815 farmaceutisk eksamen, senere magisterkonferensen og forsvarede 21. oktober 1817 en doktorafhandling om alkaliernes virkning på organiske stoffer.