“I am very pleased with this clear decision in favor of Prof. Römer; we have known each other for many years, during which time I have come to know him not only as a great scholar but also as a colleague who is always approachable,” said Prof. Menzel-Riedl. “I am all the more pleased with this vote because I know that with Tim Römer, the university leadership is in good hands, and this makes my farewell—which, admittedly, is not an easy one—much easier.”

The election was preceded by a process in which, in addition to Prof. Römer, an external candidate had been invited to a public university hearing. On July 14, Prof. Römer presented his vision and ideas to the university community; the external candidate had previously withdrawn her application. In the subsequent election, the Senate voted unanimously in favor of the Osnabrück-based mathematician.

“Prof. Römer brings with him extensive knowledge of this university as well as of the research landscape in Lower Saxony and Germany,” explains the chair of the search committee, Prof. Dr. Elmar Weiler. “In numerous positions, he has been particularly committed to increasing external funding and has significantly expanded the university’s application-oriented basic research in the fields of AI and data science—with a focus on agricultural engineering—raising its profile both nationally and internationally.” And Senate Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Meike Rühl adds: “Shaping the future of the University of Osnabrück with innovative ideas without losing sight of both students and staff is no easy task. But with Prof. Römer, we are convinced that we have found someone who will succeed in rising to this great challenge.” 

Prof. Römer was born in 1975 in Oshawa, Canada. After studying mathematics with a minor in computer science at the University of Essen (GH), he earned his doctorate in 2001. He joined the University of Osnabrück as early as 2002—initially as an assistant professor of mathematics, and then in 2008 as a full professor of algebra. Since then, Prof. Römer has held various positions in the university’s self-governing bodies, including serving for many years as dean of the department, and has secured numerous highly funded external research grants for the university. One example of this is the AI Real-World Laboratory for Agriculture, which Prof. Römer heads. In addition, he initiated the founding of the Data Science Research Center, which he currently leads as director. “I am very pleased by the trust placed in me and hope to continue, together with the team within the university administration and all members of the university community, the highly successful tenure of Prof. Menzel-Riedl, which has been a blessing for the entire university,” said Prof. Römer, who will assume his position on October 1.

Further information for the media:
Dr. Oliver Schmidt, University of Osnabrück
, Communications and Marketing
Office, Press Spokesperson ,
 oliver.schmidt@uos.de