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Profile of Osnabrück University

Research without (disciplinary) boundaries

The university impresses thanks to its exceptional research achievements, which are characterized by interdisciplinary cooperation:

• The AI Campus is the result of many years of profile building in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The research-intensive and application-oriented subjects of computer science, cognitive science, business informatics and mathematics research groups are linked together here. Around 20 professors and around 80 research assistants currently work at the AI Campus. These include endowed professorships funded by industry and the city and district of Osnabrück.
• The interdisciplinary Research Center "Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrück (CellNanOs)", which is unique in Germany, develops new approaches in modern cell biology. Its research approach builds on the experience of the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 944) "Physiology and Dynamics of Cellular Microcompartments", which is characterized by cooperation between working groups from biology, physics and mathematics. In total, Collaborative Research Centers have existed continuously in the School of Biology/Chemistry for more than 40 years. The first two focused on membrane proteins (SFB 193, 1983-1998) and their function within cells (SFB 431, 1999-2010).
• The Research Center "Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS)" conducts interdisciplinary work on the diverse aspects of spatial mobility and intercultural encounters in the past and present. The Collaborative Research Center (1604) "Production of Migration" is also based at IMIS. Around 50 academics from Osnabrück, Berlin/Potsdam, Dortmund, Flensburg, Frankfurt am Main and Münster are conducting research in 17 sub-projects. To implement this ambitious research project, Osnabrück University, as the host university, will receive €8.3 million from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the first funding phase by the end of 2027.
• Early childhood education and development has been a focus at Osnabrück University for many years. Research on this topic is conducted at the Center for Early Childhood Development and Education Research (CEDER) with the participation of five departments.
• The renowned Research Center "Institute of Early Modern Intercultural Studies (IKFN)", which is supported by nine subjects, is one of the few German research centers explicitly dedicated to interdisciplinary research into the early modern period. In numerous third-party funded projects, pioneering historical, theological and literary-historical studies have been compiled and published in recent years.
• Another interdisciplinary beacon is the Institute of Cognitive Science (IKW), which deals with questions of higher cognitive functions. Its research activities cover the entire spectrum of cognitive science disciplines. International Bachelor's and Master's degree courses, in which the basics of the entire spectrum of cognitive science are taught and in which interdisciplinary thinking and work are at the foreground, round off the range of courses on offer.
• The Research Center "Institute of Environmental Systems Research (USF)" conducts interdisciplinary research into changes in environmental systems as well as the resultant problems and their solutions. In particular, the focus is on the systemic networking of different actors that cause changes in the natural environment. The disciplines of mathematics, computer science and systems science are combined with applied ecological and socio-economic sciences.
• The European Legal Studies Institute at Osnabrück University is one of the most important research institutions in Europe for comparative law and legal harmonization.
• The prevention of occupational skin diseases is a field of research known beyond national borders at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm).
• Interdisciplinary research is also visible through the Osnabrück branch of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI).
• Osnabrück University and the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam are jointly training doctoral students at the interface of agricultural science and artificial intelligence in the "Joint Lab Artificial Intelligence & Data Science" research training group.

The training and promotion of young scientists is one of the university's core tasks, which it also addresses through the PhD/Postdoc Career Center (ZePrOs).

Studying under excellent supervision

Around 14,000 students are currently enrolled; providing them with the best possible support is a priority for the university. A total of 1,000 professors, lecturers and research assistants teach and conduct research in eight departments, which offer around 180 attractive and modern study programs. The diverse range of subjects includes future-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programs in the following fields of study:

• Humanities and Social Sciences, Sport
• Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences
• Law and Business Administration and Economics
• Linguistics, Literature and Cultural Studies
• Theology, Art, Music, Textiles

Another focus of Osnabrück University is the science-related education and training of teachers from primary, secondary and vocational schools. Collaborations also play a major role here, such as the cooperation with Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, where the degree courses in Electrical and Metals Engineering or Ecotrophology for vocational schools are offered. Overall, the study programs at Osnabrück University prepare graduates for the national and international job market and offer excellent career opportunities.

A university in the heart of the city

A special feature of Osnabrück University is its geographical location: numerous buildings are located in the immediate vicinity of the historic old town and can be reached on foot or by bicycle. The humanities and social sciences subjects as well as law can be found here. The Presidential Board and administration are based in the former Prince-Bishop's Palace. With its eye-catching yellow paint, it is the university's hallmark and figurehead. In addition to the natural sciences of biology, chemistry and physics, Westerberg is also home to mathematics, computer science and environmental systems science on a rapidly developing, attractive campus. Cognitive science has its research facilities and offices between the city center and Westerberg. And psychology is located in the Science Park, also in the west of the city. Osnabrück University's Botanical Garden, which is both a teaching and research facility for students and scientists, provides relaxation and balance.

A strong partner for the region - and far beyond

With around 1,800 employees and a financial volume of around 180 million euros (2023), Osnabrück University is one of the city's largest employers and an important economic factor. Numerous collaborations with commercial enterprises and institutions offer students the opportunity to gain practical experience at an early stage. The high esteem in which the university is held by business and society is also reflected in the particularly successful acquisition of endowed professorships. In addition to research and teaching, the transfer of scientific research results to business and society as a so-called "third mission" is an increasingly important task for the university. The Erich Maria Remarque Peace Center is an example of how the university is anchored in the region. The cultural institution, which is named after the world-famous writer who was born in Osnabrück, is jointly funded by the city and the university. With the renowned Osnabrück Peace Forum, the city of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 and the university also jointly promote peaceful coexistence and tolerance.