Welcome to the Department of Occupational, Social and Preventive Medicine
The landscape of work is changing rapidly, and society is evolving alongside it. As new forms of work (e.g., digitalization and New Work) become increasingly complex and interconnected, our understanding of health must adapt, and occupational health must be redefined. This calls for a holistic, participatory, and human-centered approach that embraces diversity (e.g., demographic change and migration) and values the employee experience.
The transformation processes of Work 4.0 pose new health challenges that demand a scientific approach capable of providing evidence-based and practice-oriented recommendations. We are especially committed to ensuring that new research findings in this field are effectively transferred into businesses, society, and policymaking.
Another central focus of the department is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into our research. AI complements established approaches by enabling the efficient analysis of large and diverse datasets, the precise identification of risk factors, and the development of tailored preventive measures. Automated evaluation steps accelerate analysis cycles, allowing health-promoting or harmful trends to be identified earlier. These advances expand the possibilities for occupational health care.
In addition to our research activities, we are dedicated to imparting knowledge in occupational medicine to students and future specialists. Together with the Dean’s Office of Studies, the institute is responsible for teaching Occupational and Social Medicine, as well as the interdisciplinary modules Health Economics and Health Systems (Q3) and Clinical Environmental Medicine (Q6). Finally, an equally important part of our work is policy consulting and active participation in expert committees.
News
A tenured W2 professorship has been advertised!
The Department of Occupational, Social and Preventive Medicine is currently seeking to fill a W2 Professorship. The position holder (f/m/d) will play a leading role in shaping, representing and advancing the field of Artificial Intelligence in the context of Occupational, Social and Preventive Medicine in both research and teaching, in close collaboration with the institute’s leadership.
Candidates with backgrounds in statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, epidemiology, mathematics, data science, or related fields are encouraged to apply. The full job advertisement is available in both German and English below.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Find the full posting here!
A Time of Transition and Renewal
The department is entering a new phase of development. On April 1, 2023, Prof. Dr. med. Ernst Hallier retired after 26 years as Director of the Department of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine at the Medical Faculty of the University of Göttingen. We extend our heartfelt thanks for his expertise and outstanding dedication.
Dr. med. Sabine Zeddies served as Acting Head of the department from April 1, 2023, and we likewise thank her sincerely for her expertise and exceptional commitment.
As of October 1, 2024, Prof. Dr. med. Susanne Völter-Mahlknecht has assumed the position of Director. The department has been renamed the Department of Occupational, Social, and Preventive Medicine and now operates at two locations: Göttingen and Wolfsburg.
Footer:
The Department of Occupational, Social, and Preventive Medicine researches occupational health in the context of an ever-changing society and evolving forms of work. Our interdisciplinary team examines the effects of current developments such as New Work, digital transformation, and demographic change on employees’ health and ability to work.
Further key activities of the department include teaching occupational medicine to students, policy consulting, and participation in expert committees.