New Chair of Operations Management: Prof. Neufeld at University Magdeburg

New Chair of Operations Management: Prof. Neufeld at University Magdeburg

The Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg has received a new impulse for research in the field of operations management. The experienced industrial engineer Prof. Dr. Janis Sebastian Neufeld will take a chair for business administration, especially operations management, at the university from the coming winter semester 2024/25. This appointment is intended to focus on the development and optimization of mathematical models that are of great importance in economics.

Prof. Neufeld comes from the Technical University (TU) Dresden, where he has already gained extensive experience in the optimization of production processes. Its expertise extends through complex planning tasks that are not only important in industry, but also in health care, such as the distribution of patients in large clinics, as well as in busy rail traffic. "I am interested in everything that has to do with complicated planning problems," he says. This includes the detailed analysis of layer plans and the use of resources in a variety of scenarios.

research focus at the University of Magdeburg

The new chair owner has ambitious plans for his time at the university. A central part of his work will be practical research orientation. Neufeld plans numerous projects with industrial partners not only regionally, but also beyond the borders of Magdeburg. "In practice, it is often evident in practice what challenges can occur that are not predictable in the theoretical analysis," he explains. He sees this interaction between theory and practice as a valuable way to develop innovative solutions and refine existing models.

Special attention pays attention to the cooperation with the "Center of Operations Research and Business Analytics" (Corba) at the Faculty of Economics. It describes the Corba as an attractive platform for the scientific exchange, which enables it to interact with other experts and to deepen his knowledge. Such cooperation are essential to look at current challenges from different perspectives and to develop effective approaches.

apprenticeship and commitment to students

Another essential aspect of Neufeld's work will be his teaching activity. "It is important to me that students not only learn theoretical basics, but also understand how they can be used in practice," he continues. Neufeld plans to arouse the interest of the students in his field through the use of practical examples and application orientation, especially among those who have reservations about mathematical content. "Mathematics is essential, especially in this field," says the scientist.

A first step in his new position will be to build up your own research team. One of his goals is to bring the exciting aspects of operations management closer to the students. With his commitment, he wants to decisively shape the future managers and innovators in business.

Prof. Dr. Janis Sebastian Neufeld has an impressive academic career. After studying in industrial engineering at the TU Dresden, he emerged through his dissertation and habilitation at the same institution. Numerous awards, including Dr. Feldbausch promotion award and the teaching award of the Faculty of Economics, testify to his outstanding commitment to teaching and research. Neufeld is married and has four children, which illustrates his ability to balance work and family.

A look into the future

The appointment of Prof. Neufeld is a positive sign for the Otto von Guericke University and its Faculty of Economics. With his extensive experience and its clear focus on practical research, he will probably have a significant impact on the further development of the department. The integration of industrial projects into academic training could help students to be better prepared for future challenges in the economy and to apply their theoretical knowledge in realistic scenarios.

research and teaching focus

Prof. Dr. Janis Sebastian Neufeld plans to promote research in the area of operations management, with mathematical models in particular to focus on optimizing complex systems. This area is of crucial importance for various industries, since it not only increases the efficiency of production processes, but also contributes to resource conservation and sustainability. The progress in these areas can not only bring economic advantages, but also take ecological aspects into account.

Neufeld's research interests also extend to the practices in health care and traffic, such as the distribution of patients in clinics and operational planning in rail transport. These applications illustrate how operational strategies can help to manage complex social challenges.

collaborations with the industry

A central aspect of Prof. Neufeld's teaching and research activity will be working with industrial partners. These collaborations are crucial to put theoretical concepts into practice and to gain new knowledge in the context of real applications. The interaction with companies enables current challenges to be identified and cleared out that may not be fully recorded in scientific research.

"The innovative strength and application of our methods can benefit enormously through exchange with industry," said Neufeld. "It is important that we find out what problems the companies actually have and how we can use the theory to adapt to these challenges." Such partnerships are essential for the training of students because they offer the opportunity to gain practical experience.

The role of operations management in companies

Operations Management is a fundamental element for companies because it affects efficiency and productivity directly. In an increasingly globalized economy, in which companies not only compete within national markets, but also internationally, the improvement of processes represents an important competitive advantage. The use of operations management strategies can help reduce costs, improve quality and to shorten the response times to market changes.

A survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) showed in 2023 that companies that invest in modern production methods and innovative management have a 15% higher efficiency than their competitors. These figures illustrate how important and valuable the practical applications of Neufeld's research area and the well -founded teaching for the future career of students in business.

Through these approaches, Prof. Neufeld not only strives for an improvement in corporate processes, but also the promotion of students in order to prepare them for the challenges in the modern economy.