He received his PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Potsdam in 2009, and is known for his outstanding work in the area of mean-field magnetohydrodynamics and dynamo theory, for which he received the 2015 Johann Wempe Award. His research interests include magnetic turbulence in the interstellar medium and in protoplanetary discs and the influence of the ensuing perturbations on the formation of stars and planets.