| 1996: | Ph.D., Astronomy, University of Jena |
| Title of PhD Thesis: "Star Formation in Bok Globules" | |
| (Advisor: Prof. Th. Henning) | |
| 1984-1989: | Physics and Astronomy, University of Jena |
| Title of Diploma Thesis: "Development of an Astronomical CCD Camera" (Advisor: Prof. W. Pfau) | |
| 1977-1981: | High School, Rathenow, Abitur (University entrance grade) |
| since 2005: | Staff astronomer, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg |
| 2002-2005: | Postdoc, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg |
| 1999-2002: | Postdoc, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena |
| 1998-1999: | Postdoc, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn |
| 1994-1998: | Postdoc, Astrophysical Institute, University of Jena |
| 1991-1994: | Ph.D. Student, Max Planck Society Research Unit |
| ``Dust in star-forming regions'', Jena | |
| 1989-1990: | Research Assistant, Astrophysical Institute Potsdam |