Post-doctoral Researcher @ 'IoT and Embedded Systems'

Fraunhofer IML Since February 2025 As a post-doctoral researcher at Fraunhofer IML, I am deeply involved in advancing the field of IoT and Embedded Systems. My role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including software development, system design, and the conceptualization of innovative solutions. Working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and applied research, I contribute to the development of prototypes, proof-of-concept implementations, and feasibility studies that address real-world challenges. In this position, I collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to design and implement robust software architectures tailored to the needs of IoT and embedded systems. My work often involves exploring emerging technologies, evaluating their potential applications, and integrating them into practical solutions. By leveraging my expertise in robotics, software engineering, and system integration, I aim to deliver high-quality results that align with the strategic goals of Fraunhofer IML. At the moment I am working on Aulis, an agent-based, modular operating system for intralogistics that efficiently organizes the internal transport of goods with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Additionally, I actively participate in international projects, fostering collaboration with partners from academia and industry. This global perspective allows me to stay at the forefront of technological advancements while contributing to the dissemination of knowledge through publications and presentations. My role also includes mentoring junior researchers and guiding them in their professional development. Among others, key areas of focus in my work include: Software Development: Designing and implementing software solutions for IoT and embedded systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance. Conception and Design: Developing innovative concepts and system designs that address complex technical challenges. Prototyping and Feasibility Studies: Creating prototypes and conducting feasibility studies to validate new ideas and technologies. International Collaboration: Engaging in cross-border projects to drive innovation and knowledge exchange.

Interim/ Deputy Head of Department 'AI and Autonomous Systems'

Interim Head of Department ‘AI and Autonomous Systems’ Fraunhofer IML July 2024 - January 2025 From July 2024 to January 2025, I served as the interim/acting head of the department. My responsibilities included, among others: Management of up to 18 employees and around 30 student and research assistants. Strategic development of the department with a budget of 3.5 million euros. Acquisition and management of application-oriented (inter)national research and industrial projects. Expansion of competencies within the department and support for our research associates and doctoral students in their professional development. Deputy Head of Department ‘AI and Autonomous Systems’ Fraunhofer IML January 2023 - June 2024 From January 2023 to June 2024, I served as the Deputy Head of the Department of ‘AI and Autonomous Systems’. In this role, I supported the head of the department in managing day-to-day operations, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring the successful execution of projects. My responsibilities included: Development and functional management of the “Autonomous Systems” group, focusing on software engineering (software architecture, clean code, DevOps) in Python and C#. Collaboration on national and international research and industry projects. Strategic (inter)national networking with research institutions. Onboarding of new employees and supervision of bachelor’s and master’s theses.

Post-Doctoral Researcher | Lecturer (Part-Time)

Chair of Distributed and Networked Systems @ Ruhr University of Bochum Since April 2023 Since joining the Distributed and Networked Systems group in April 2023 at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), I have supervised several bachelor theses, supporting students in their research and development of innovative solutions. Additionally, I held a teaching assignment for the subject “Distributed Systems” in English during the summer semester of 2023. The lecture Distributed Systems covers basic architectures and methods that allow for functional and productive distributed computer systems. Such a distributed system employs multiple independent subsystems to fulfill a certain task while appearing to the user as a coherent single system. To achieve this goal, the different subsystems need to have common knowledge. Distributed systems present multiple challenges that will be addressed in this lecture: subsystems need to be discoverable, they must exchange messages, replicated data needs to be kept in a consistent state across subsystems, faults in individual subsystems need to be tolerated, and the resources of the entire distributed system should be used efficiently so that the given task is fulfilled effectively. These components and aspects can be found in modern, Internet-based systems, which guarantee the functionality of services like the World Wide Web, email, or file sharing. However, increasing digitization also affects other domains, such as logistics and robotics. To cope with the growing complexity, distributed systems—and especially their architectures—become increasingly important. Therefore, exclusive examples from applied robotics research will be shown in the lecture, referencing the topics discussed here. Literature Maarten van Steen and Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Distributed Systems – Principles and Paradigms, Pearson [PDF@Author]

Visiting Researcher @ Industry 4.0 Lab

Politecnico di Milano April 2019 - June 2019 I had the privilege of serving as a visiting researcher at the Industry 4.0 Lab under the guidance of Prof. Luca Fumagalli at the School of Management, Politecnico di Milano. The lab is a state-of-the-art facility designed to simulate a real-world Industry 4.0 environment, providing a tangible space for advanced research and teaching. It combines cutting-edge technologies and practical applications, offering invaluable insights into the future of smart manufacturing and digital transformation. During my time at the lab, I was actively involved in the development of a Plug’n’Transport concept for automated guided vehicles (AGVs). This project aimed to simplify and standardize the deployment and integration of AGVs within industrial environments, making them more adaptable and user-friendly. One of the core challenges was ensuring seamless communication between different systems and to address interoperability issues arising from diverse hardware and software architectures and develop a modular approach to enable quick setup and reconfiguration of the AGVs. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in implementing flexible automation solutions and contributed to designing innovative frameworks that align with the principles of Industry 4.0. This project not only enhanced my technical expertise but also enriched my perspective on how digitalization and automation can transform modern manufacturing.

Research Associate 'AI and Autonomous Systems' & PhD Student

Fraunhofer IML “December 2017 - April 2023” Being a research associate in the world of mobile robotics offered a unique opportunity to immerse myself in academic and scientific inquiry. I had the chance to collaborate with experienced researchers and gained invaluable insights while contributing to cutting-edge projects. My role involved hands-on experimentation and extensive software development, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Challenging myself resulted in the satisfaction of solving problems, which comes from discovering new information or refining existing theories. Development and functional management of the “Autonomous Systems” group Software engineering (software architecture, clean code, DevOps) in Python and C# Collaboration on national and international research and industry projects Strategic (inter)national networking with research institutions Onboarding of new employees and supervision of bachelor’s and master’s theses

Software Solution Architect

Anaxco GmbH January 2017 - November 2017 During my role as a Software Solution Architect I focused on optimizing and increasing the efficiency of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012/2016 and Microsoft SQL Server through detailed performance analysis of source code and the integration of automated testing. These efforts resulted in significant improvements in system performance, reliability, and overall operational efficiency. I also contributed to the software development of the transport management system, where I developed scalable and robust solutions to streamline logistics and enhance operational workflows. My work involved aligning technical development with business objectives, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful solutions. These experiences have honed my skills in system architecture, performance optimization, and software development, laying a strong foundation for my success in roles such as Software Solution Architect. Literature: SQL Performance Explained: Everything developers need to know about SQL performance Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship (Robert C. Martin)

Advanced Development Engineer

Insta GmbH October 2007 - December 2016 In my role as an advanced development engineer, I developed and integrated smart home solutions (intelligent building automation), particularly contributing to the advancement of KNX-based systems and IoT technologies. Numerous patents were created during my employment, showcasing innovative solutions in smart home and IoT technologies. Realization of proof of concepts and prototypes using the latest trends, technologies, and algorithms. Software development in Python and C# for desktop systems, and Java for mobile Android devices. Support in the transfer of software projects from advanced development to production maturity. Collaboration on national and international (funded) projects.