Endowed professorships

•  Donor: Bremen Finance Department and the IT service provider Dataport
• Department 03 / Mathematics & Computer Science

•  Period: since 10/2022

  The University of Bremen has introduced the endowed professorship "Digital Transformation of Public Services" at Faculty 03 (Mathematics and Computer Science), which is funded by the Bremen Finance Department and the IT service provider Dataport. Business information scientist Professor Bj?rn Niehaves will head the professorship and the associated "Digital Public" working group from October 2022 and is also a second member of Faculty 07 (Economics). The aim of the working group is to research digital technologies in the public sector and develop innovative courses and doctoral programmes with practical relevance. In addition, the digitalisation of public administration is to be further developed using technologies such as AI, augmented reality and virtual reality. In addition to the lecture "Artificial Intelligence & Computational Management Information Systems" (MIS-2), the working group offers (project) seminars, colloquia, lectures and theses in the field of Digital Public. This includes topics such as smart cities and regions, the digital transformation of public authorities and their services as well as digital innovations for society. One focus is on the research and development of cooperation between the state/administration and start-ups, known as GovTech (Government Technology). Close collaboration between science and practice and interdisciplinary networking are of central importance to the work of the endowed professorship.

• Heisenberg Endowed Professorship of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Department 02 / BiologyChemistry
• Period: 03/2021 - 03/2026

- www.marum.de/Entdecken/Professor-Hehemann.html
- www.uni-bremen.de/universitaet/hochschulkommunikation-undmarketing/ press-releases/detail-view/algae-sugar-as-fibre-for-healthy-digestion-in-the-ocean

Prof Dr Jan-Hendrik Hehemann is researching the role of algal polysaccharides for marine carbon storage. His previous research group "Marine Glycobiology" was located as a bridge group at MARUM and at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen. Building on their research, the new bridging department for Carbon Storage & Glycobiochemistry is now being established at Faculty 2 (Biology/Chemistry) of the University of Bremen, MARUM and the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology. His work is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a Heisenberg Professorship.

After studying biochemistry in Hamburg, Jan-Hendrik Hehemann completed his doctorate at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris and the Station Biologique de Roscoff (France). He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) and subsequently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
before joining the University of Bremen/MARUM and the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in 2015.

With the Heisenberg Professorship, the German Research Foundation (DFG) supports scientists who have demonstrated
scientists who stand out due to their excellent research and extraordinary
outstanding achievements and enables them to pursue their research specialisms and
and to establish their own research groups. His research was recognised in 2022 by the
European Research Council as pioneering and honoured with an ERC Consolidator Award.
award.

• Donor: Network for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Social Policy Research
• Department 08 / Political Sciences

• Period: 2020-2025

  Sebastian Fehrler took up the endowed professorship for the Economics of Social Policy at the SOCIUM Research Centre on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen in September 2020. The professorship will be funded for the first five years by the Interdisciplinary Social Policy Research Network (FIS) supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The professorship's research programme is dedicated to the microfoundation of social policy, incorporating sociological, political science, psychological and economic perspectives. To this end, a series of field, survey and laboratory experiments are carried out. The field work is primarily used to evaluate specific social policy measures, while the laboratory and survey experiments are primarily used for basic research into various processes on the labour market, political attitudes, perceptions of inequality and the communication of social policy.

  
  After studying in Oldenburg, Berlin and Nottingham, Sebastian Fehrler completed his doctorate in 2010 at the University of Zurich under Katharina Michaelowa. After a postdoctoral phase in Zurich and a one-year research stay at New York University, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Behavioural Economics at the University of Konstanz in 2014, where he worked until his move to Bremen. In the summer semester of 2020, he held the W3 professorship for Microeconomic Theory there.

• Donor: Network for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Social Policy Research
• Department 08 / Sociology

• Period: 2018-2023

  Simone Scherger took up the endowed professorship for life course-oriented social policy at the SOCIUM Research Centre on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen in April. The professorship will be funded for the first five years by the Interdisciplinary Social Policy Research Network (FIS) supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Within the framework of the professorship, Simone Scherger will focus on the connections between social policy regulations and individual life courses. An important example of this is the question of how pension reforms affect transitions into retirement and the propensity to work in old age. Conversely, it is also about the challenges that changing employment patterns or pluralised family forms pose for social security. Simone Scherger recently became a member of the German government's Pension Commission. After studying sociology in Bonn and Brussels, Scherger completed her doctorate at the Free University of Berlin in 2007 with a thesis on the changing timing of important life course transitions. Following research activities at the University of Manchester (UK), she headed the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group "Gainful Employment beyond the Pension Boundary in Germany and the UK", which was funded by the German Research Foundation and based at SOCIUM, from 2010 to 2017. In 2016/17, she also held the W3 professorship for sociology with a focus on gender studies at the University of Konstanz.

• Heisenberg Endowed Professorship of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Department 03 / Computer Science

• Period: 05/2017 - 05/2022

  The fundamental idea of Maneth's research is based on recognising and exploiting repetitions of any kind within the data. Acceleration occurs when the algorithm can be modified in such a way that repetitive patterns only need to be processed once. In some cases, the modified algorithms run thousands of times faster than on the original data. "A particular challenge is the heterogeneity of the data formats used within big data today," explains the computer scientist. For example, social network graphs have to be compressed in a completely different way to text or image files. Overall, however, the more knowledge you have about the structure and content of data, the more you can compress it. At the University of Bremen, the 45-year-old scientist would like to apply his methods in particular to data generated within logistics and media information systems.
  Sebastian Maneth studied computer science and completed his doctorate in theoretical computer science at the University of Leiden (Netherlands) in 2003. After research stays in Switzerland, he worked for many years at the National Institute for Computer Science and Technology (NICTA) and at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (Australia). Most recently, he taught and researched at the University of Edinburgh (UK).

• Lichtenberg Professorship of the Volkswagen Foundation
• Department 03 / Computer Science

• Period: 06/2016 - 06/2021

  Prof Dr Sch?ning's working group is concerned with the interaction between humans and technology - so-called human-computer interaction - in the Department of Mathematics/Computer Science. The new Lichtenberg professor's research project is entitled "Improving Spatial Interactions with Novel Ubiquitous Interfaces". In addition to the interfaces between machines and humans, the research will also focus on geoinformatics and ubiquitous computing, also known as the ubiquity of computers. Specifically, the research project is concerned with the design, quality testing and use of new navigation technologies - for smartwatches, for example.

  "The technology we are building should enhance and improve human capabilities, but not replace them." says Sch?ning, explaining his idea. His research group is also analysing the properties of spatial data collected by laypeople and investigating which algorithms can be found for this. This includes maps that volunteers have designed themselves using GPS.

• Christa and Manfred Fuchs Endowed Professorship
• Faculty 04 / Production Engineering

• Period: 07/2012 - 07/2022

  Claus Braxmaier is Professor at the Faculty of Production Engineering at the University of Bremen, Director of Space Technology at the Centre of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM at the University of Bremen and Head of the "System Enabling Technologies" department at the DLR Institute of Space Systems. His research focuses on the development of space-qualified technologies for the realisation of current and future space missions in earth observation, science and navigation.

• Airbus-Stiftungsprofessur
• Zeitraum: Dezember 2009 bis November 2014

Schwerpunkt der neuen Airbus Stiftungsprofessur für Integrative Simulation und Engineering von Materialien und Prozessen (ISEMP) sind Entwicklung und Anwendung neuer Methoden für die Material- und Prozesssimulation sowie der Einsatz der numerischen Simulation für die experimentelle Entwicklung und Optimierung innovativer Fertigungsverfahren, insbesondere für die Luftfahrtindustrie. Die neue Professur soll die Funktion einer wissenschaftlichen Brücke zwischen dem Bremer Center for Computational Materials Science und anderen industrieorientierten Forschungseinrichtungen der Universit?t Bremen erfüllen. Enge Zusammenarbeit ist sowohl mit Materialwissenschaftlern der Universit?t und angegliederter Institute, als auch mit dem Zentrum für Ingenieurmathematik eingeplant. In der Lehre wird sich die Airbus-Stiftungsprofessur sowohl am neu eingerichteten fachbereichsübergreifenden Masterstudiengang Computational Materials Science als auch in der interdisziplin?ren Graduiertenausbildung intensiv beteiligen.

Der Inhaber der neuen Airbus Stiftungsprofessur, Herr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Vasily Ploshikhin hat umfangreiche Erfahrungen in der Zusammenarbeit mit namhaften Industrieunternehmen, insbesondere der Luftfahrtindustrie wie Airbus, Premium Airotec, EADS, Rolls-Royce und MTU Aero Engines. Seit dem Jahr 2001 hat er den Bereich für Computergestützte Verfahrensentwicklung bei einem Forschungsunternehmen Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH aufgebaut und erfolgreich geleitet. Mehrere mit Hilfe von seiner wissenschaftlichen Methoden entwickelte und optimierte Fertigungsverfahren wurden bereits bei namhaften Unternehmen aus Luftfahrt- und Automobilindustrie in die
Serienproduktion umgesetzt. Diese Schwerpunkte werden in Bremen, insbesondere in die Richtung der Industrialisierung innovativer Softwarel?sungen, weiter ausgebaut.

• Founders: Stiftung Bremer Wertpapierb?rse, Wolfgang Ritter Foundation and Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft in cooperation with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Period: 5 years, November 2009 to October 2014

• Founder: DFKI
• Period: 6 years, from June 2008 to May 2014

Real-Time Vision Working Group

Prof. Dr. Udo Frese has been working as junior professor for real-time image processing in the Faculty of Mathematics / Computer Science since June 2008. He is project leader in the Collaborative Research Center CRC / TR 8 Spatial Cognition and associated with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI).

Udo Frese studied computer science in Paderborn and then worked at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). He received his doctorate in 2004 at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg for a highly efficient algorithm for the calculation of global maps from local observations. He then worked as a senior researcher at the University of Bremen and the DFKI.

He deals with image processing, that is how a computer can automatically detect something on images. The focus is on real time, when the recognition has to be done as fast as possible. Applications for this are industrial quality control, support for the operator of a remote-controlled robot by means of an automatically generated 3D model of the environment or, more playfully, the perception of a scene from a match by a soccer-playing robot.

Among Udo Frese’s specialties are algorithms for safety-related evaluation of sensor data, as used for example, to protect driverless transport systems in industry.

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• Founder: Conrad Naber Foundation
• Period: 2 years from 2007

Research focus:

Atomistic investigations on heterogeneous material interfaces and surfaces

The main topic of research in the Conrad Naber Endowed Professorship “Interfaces in Bio-Nano-Materials Engineering” is the atomic-scale study of interfaces between different materials and between engineering materials and biological macromolecules. We use various computer-aided modeling methods, as well as experimental surface analysis techniques such as force spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Our research topics are of topical relevance for the development of medical implants, biosensors, biocompatible adhesives, antifouling surfaces, to name just a few better-known examples.

Main project:

Coordination of the EU project “Adhesion and Cohesion at Interfaces in High-Performance Glassy Systems” in the 7th Framework Program (Small and Medium Scale Focused Research Project) with seven partner institutions from five EU countries.

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• Founders: Donations of various companies and foundations, i.a. Stiftung Arzneimittel-Sicherheit, Bayer AG

• Period: 5 years, from March 1, 2007 to February 29, 2012

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• Sponsor: Senator for Finance
• Period: 6 years from March 2007

The junior professorship “Federal and Regional Financial Relations” was set up in cooperation between the Senator for Finance of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and the University of Bremen at the Financial Policy Research Center. Dr. Ing. André W. Heinemann was appointed to the endowed professorship on March 1, 2007.

The research activities basically cover the functioning of federally organized state systems. In the context of application-oriented research, Prof. Heinemann analyzes constitutional and post-constitutional control systems within federal structures and examines their economic incentive effects.

A research focus is on the financial relations between the Government and the L?nder in the federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany. Against the background of path dependencies and institutional framework conditions, detailed regulations and peculiarities of German federalism, such as the existence of city states, are examined for their economic efficiency. At the same time, economic and fiscal policy recommendations are derived that are intended to accompany the reform process for the modernization of German federalism and support the decision-making of political actors.

• Founder: The Daimler Fund at the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft
• Period: 5 years, from January 2008 to December 2013

• Founder: Association of the University Children's Research Clinic
• Period: Unlimited from January 2007

The work and research of Prof. Dr. Ulrike Petermann focuses on Clinical Child Psychology and Behavioral Therapy with children, adolescents and their families. This encompasses a number of research projects on topics ranging from early diagnosis and early intervention, through multi-center intervention studies, up to projects with cooperation partners in schools and institutions dealing with juvenile offenders. Prof. Petermann's activities focus on the conception, organization and scientific direction of the University research clinic for children and adolescents and their families.

-> Homepage | upeterm@uni-bremen.de

• Founder: Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft

• Period: 5 years, 2004 to 2009

  From 2003 to 2009 Prof. Hülsmann headed the department “Management of Sustainable Systems Development” in the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at the University of Bremen, funded by the Stifterverband der deutschen Wissenschaft. Since January 2004, he heads the subproject A3 “Monitoring Autonomous Control” and is a member of the board of the CRC 637 “Autonomous Cooperating Logistics Processes - a Paradigm Shift and its Limitations”. He is a member of various research networks (i.a. LogDynamics, MTRC) and scientific associations (for example AOM, SMS, Schmalenbachgesellschaft). Prof. Hülsmann took over the subject area “Systems Management” at Jacobs University Bremen in March 2009. His focus is on the strategic management of logistic systems. Hülsmann teaches and conducts research on the competence- and technology-based positioning of logistics service providers, coping with technological change in value creation networks, and the design of interorganizational coordination and cooperation mechanisms.

• Founders: Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft; HanseWasser GmbH

• Period: 5 years, from October 2001 to September 2006

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• Founder: Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft; the DaimlerChrysler Fund at the Stifterverband

• Period: 3 years, from April 2001 to March 2004

  Prof. Dr. J?rg Freiling was appointed to the endowed guest professorship “Management of medium-sized companies in international business” in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Bremen in April 2001. Since January 1 2002, Prof. Freiling leads the chair “Mittelstand, Business Start-Ups and Entrepreneurship”. He has been Dean of Studies in the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at the University of Bremen since July 2009. He represents the University of Bremen in the Business Angel Network Weser-Ems-Bremen as a member of the extended board and is a member of several scientific organizations. Since 2007, Prof. Freiling has headed the subproject “The Rule of Law and Justice in Global Exchange Processes” of the Collaborative Research Center 597 (Statehood in Transition).

  -> Homepage | freiling@uni-bremen.de

• Founders: Stifterverband; Rudolf and Helene Glaser Foundation and Stemmler Foundation
• Period: 3 years, from February 2000 to January 2003

-> Homepage | michael.koch@uni-bremen.de

• Founders: Economic Structure Policy Action Program of the State of Bremen and the European Community
• Period: 5 years, from May 1995 to May 2000

• Founders: Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft; Foundation Fund Daimler-Benz
• Period: 5 years, from April 1994 to March 1999
• 1994: Appointed to the professorship for Ceramic Materials and Components in the Faculty of Production Engineering at the University of Bremen. Establishing the subject area with the main topics:
• Technical ceramics for chemical engineering
• Microporous and cellular ceramics
• Fiber composite ceramics
• Biogenic ceramics and biocere
• 1999 to 2003: Dean of the Faculty of Production Engineering
• from 2006: Spokesman of the Research Training Group PoreNet

• from 2007: DFG - Review Board Materials Science

  -> Homepage | www.porenet.de

• Founder: Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft; with special contributions from Bremen companies
• Period: 5 years, from November 1992 to November 1997

As part of the endowed professorship, which Prof. Kopfer took over in 1992, the Chair for Logistics has been continually expanded. Since that time, the chair has represented logistics in teaching and research in the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. A central research topic of the chair is the modeling and optimization of complex processes in intra- and interorganizational systems as well as the coupling of interdependent decision problems. A particular focus is on the solution of distributed logistics planning problems, which are mainly located in the field of transport and partly in the area of ??production logistics. Here, mainly methods of operations research are used. On the topics of logistics and operations research, the chair has organized and carried out several international scientific conferences in Bremen and at other locations in cooperation with partners. Since 1992, the chair has been carrying out extensive projects funded by the DFG (Priority Program “Distributed Systems in Business” and CRC 637 "Autonomous Control of Logistics Processes - A Paradigm Shift and Its Limitations"), the EU, the BMBF and the State of Bremen. Currently, the chair is involved in the implementation of two subprojects in CRC 637. In the first subproject, the research questions refer to collaborative transport planning in the operational area, and in the second subproject to adaptive tour planning in extremely volatile planning environments.

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• Founder: Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft; with special contributions from Bremen companies
• Period: 5 years, from December 1989 to December 1994

On December 15, 1989, Prof. Dr.-Ing. N. R?biger (?) took over the professorship for environmental technology endowed by Stifterverband für Deutsche Wissenschaft and the University of Bremen. Thanks to a total of 65 sponsors from industry, science and also from the private sector, the topic “environmental technology” could be established at the University of Bremen, which up to December 1999 was built up within the endowed professorship as an institute in research and teaching. The “Institute for Environmental Process Engineering” under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. N. R?biger (?) in the Faculty of Production Engineering celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and can look back on extensive successes in the field of production-integrated environmental protection and the development of new processes for sustainable production within engineering processes, which are directly implemented in numerous industrial projects. When the support by the Stifterverband ended, the institute proved to be both a highly competent partner in basic research and innovation, e.g. through activities in the field of production integrated wastewater treatment, renewable energies, micro process engineering, multiphase flow and selective separation techniques, as well as a valued project partner of associations and industry, e.g. through contract research in the field of process water treatment and optimization. Today, the institute has led to Bremen being recognized worldwide as a center of environmental research. Prof. Dr.-Ing. N. R?biger (?) was able to successfully implement the priorities formulated at that time such as “prevention and reduction of wastewater emissions” and “final contamination of gases and solids by aqueous media” under the guiding principle of “production-integrated environmental protection measures”, and contribute to the fact that measures known today under the buzzwords “PIUS” (production integrated environmental protection) or “closed cycle” have become common practice in industry, not only from an ecological but also from an economic point of view.