Research and consulting at the intersection of psychological assessment and AI. Helping high-profile clients in the public and private sector leverage the power of AI for innovative approaches to skill assessment and skill development.

After Lepaya acquired vCOACH, which I co-founded, I joined the product management team as the Product Manager for the Innovation squad. In this role, I led the discovery, design, and delivery of cutting-edge, technology-driven solutions to enhance Lepaya's blended learning approach. My key responsibilities included:- AI Strategy: Crafted and implemented a comprehensive AI strategy, including in-house development, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.- AI-Driven Learning Technologies: Led the development of AI-powered learning technologies, such as interactive role plays, personalized learning experiences, and advanced feedback systems.- Skills Intelligence & Assessment: Developed AI applications for skills intelligence and assessment, integrating both traditional methods and innovative AI-powered evaluations.- Client Platform Development: Conceptualized skills intelligence solutions for an upskilling platform enabling clients to create high-performance learning journeys aligned with business goals.Key Achievements:- Pioneered Immersive AI Roleplays: Developed the prompts for innovative AI-based roleplays designed to practice soft skills through active, realistic practice with feedback.- Strategic Innovations: Formulated comprehensive strategies for skills intelligence, personalized learning, and assessment, integrating both traditional methods and AI-enhanced approaches.- Assessment Development: Created and implemented a range of assessments, including forced-choice, rating scales, and innovative AI-powered evaluations.- Thought Leadership: Recognized as a thought leader in AI and learning, and invited to speak at prominent events such as HR Minds, ZP Europe, and Unleash Europe.

I led a psychometrics team, managing all products and services related to psychological measurement and statistical modeling. My responsibilities included:- Managing a Platform for Measurement Instruments: Directed the largest online repository for validated measurement instruments in the social and behavioral sciences, featuring over 330 tools across domains such as personality, values, and skills.- Training: Provided expert consultation and training on psychological measurement and advanced statistical modeling.- Consulting: Supported international organizations like the OECD in study design and data analyses for large-scale research projects, delivering insights into global skill trends.- Research: Conducted methodological research on measurement and statistical modeling, and substantive research on cognitive skills, personality traits, and motivation.Key Achievements:- Team Expansion: Grew the team from 4 to 10 researchers by securing over €3M in external funding between 2017 and 2023.- Mentorship: Supervised 5 PhD students in methodological and applied research.- Scholarly Impact: Co-authored over 80 research articles in leading academic journals..- Thought Leadership: Invited to speak at forums connecting science to public policy and advised various foundations on psychological measurement and research strategies.

As a senior researcher, I was responsible for quantitative research in the realm of personality assessment and development, academic achievement, and career development. Having secured research grants from prime funding agencies (e.g., German Research Foundation), I led two major research projects focusing on adults' competence development and lifelong learning as a principal investigator.

vCOACH was a B2B SaaS startup in the EdTech space. We developed one of the first AI-powered, fully digital communication training solutions on the market. - Our proprietary AI technology was awarded the HR Innovation Award of ZP Europe in 2020- We successfully acquired >50 enterprise customers, including 6 DAX corporations- More than 90% of users would recommend vCOACH- We obtained a high 6-digit pre-seed investment achieved in 2021- We scaled our team to 25 people (mainly tech & sales)As a chief scientist, among other things I conceptualized AI-based and survey-based skill assessments, designed highly effective digital and blended training concepts based on behavioral science principles, coached our sales team on effective sales strategies, and co-developed a unique approach to measure training impact & ROI.vCOACH was acquired by Lepaya in 2022. Its technology now powers communication-related learning modules in Lepaya's blended-learning solution. the vCOACH team got on board with Lepaya and developed its broader AI-in-upskilling solution.

I was a research fellow in the International Pathways to Adulthood Programme, funded by the Jacobs Foundation. This selective program brought together early-career researchers with leading principal investigators from Europe, Australia, and the US, with the aim of helping them build a high-profile, interdisciplinary research agenda in research on education.

Kairos developed and delivered training in persuasive communication and public speaking for young leaders. We also organized competitive debating workshops and tournaments as conduits for learning. Among our customers were major non-profit organizations such as Konrad-Adenauer Foundation (KAS) or the Foundation of the German Economy (sdw).Kairos ended its operations after my co-founder had won a seat in the German parliament (Bundestag).