Law studies and research assistant at the institute for labour and social law (PhD) in Münster, followed by postgraduate studies in Rotterdam, Ghent, Linköping and Stockholm. After working in an international law firm, move to the German Federal Ministry for labour and social affairs (since 2002) with responsibilities in the areas of labour market policy and migration. During the German EU presidency social attaché in the German Permanent Representation in Brussels; chair for the file on supplementary pensions. Since October 2007 national expert at the European Commission in the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Priorities of work are Lisbon strategy, CSR as well as labour migration.