As of May 26, 2026
Dr. Lukas Winkel
| Current Position: | Digital Lead, AI Solutions SCM (Bayer AG) | since 03/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Previous positions: | IT Product Manager SCM for Pharmaceuticals (Bayer AG) | 2022 - 03/2025 |
| Research Assistant at the Graduate College “Algorithmic Optimization” (University of Trier) | 2019–2022 | |
| Degree: | Mathematical Economics (B.Sc.) | 2016 |
| Business Mathematics (M.Sc.) | 2019 | |
| Algorithmic Optimization (Ph.D.) | 2022 |
Why did you choose to study at the University of Cologne?
I chose the University of Cologne for two reasons. First, I chose the city; life in a major city like Cologne interested me more than smaller college towns, and as a native of the Rhineland, Cologne, with its cosmopolitan and warm atmosphere, was the obvious choice. Second, the program’s focus on applied mathematics suited me well. Unlike at other universities, the program emphasizes mathematics and its applications rather than economics. Additionally, the University of Cologne is highly regarded, particularly for programs with an economic focus.
What area did you specialize in during your studies?
During my studies, I specialized in two areas. My main focus was on discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science in all its facets—combinatorial and mixed-integer optimization, complexity theory, graph theory, and algorithms. My second, smaller focus was probability theory.
What aspects of your studies can you apply in your profession?
In my current job, the extent to which I can apply what I learned in my studies varies greatly. A large part of my day-to-day work consists of management tasks that have little to do with mathematics. However, the area I’m responsible for is closely related to mathematical optimization in terms of content, since I manage the software the company uses for production planning and inventory optimization. Furthermore, AI and optimization are, of course, closely related. Here, my academic background helps me greatly in quickly grasping the substantive and technical aspects, making more informed decisions, and regularly leading and carrying out conceptual and strategic work at both the substantive and technical levels. Furthermore, the soft skills I acquired during my studies—such as analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work in a structured and self-directed manner—are extremely helpful in all kinds of tasks.
Did you envision your career path to this extent before starting your studies?
The big difference between my current career and what I envisioned before my studies is my passion for optimization, which only developed during my studies and is now reflected in my work in supply chain management. Before my studies, I would have thought I’d end up in the financial sector. Where my expectations have been met is in the quantitative, technical approach and the focus on IT and automation solutions.
What would you do differently today as a student?
There isn’t much I would do differently; I had a great time in college, during which I learned a lot, both academically and personally. I could have taken a little more time. Whether you finish within the standard period of study isn’t that important—working life is long enough, and you can only enjoy your time as a student once! Also, I might have done a few more internships.
What do you particularly enjoy about your current job?
My current job is very varied, as I’m responsible for many different topics and technologies, and these topics change regularly. I have a lot of responsibility and a great deal of freedom in when and how I work, and especially in how I make my decisions. I feel particularly enthusiastic in the moments when I can do conceptual work and, together with my team, come up with new processes, tools, and optimization approaches.
What are your responsibilities there?
As Digital Lead for AI Solutions, I am directly responsible for our portfolio of AI tools and technologies that the group uses for its supply chain management. In this role, I serve as the bridge between the needs and requirements of my business stakeholders and our engineering platforms, which then build the digital solutions. The main focus is on understanding the problems and opportunities for improvement, prioritizing them correctly, and selecting the right technology for the solution, so that in the end we ensure our budgets and workforce are allocated to the most pressing challenges. These challenges span all phases of supply chain management, from demand forecasting, through production planning, inventory optimization, and logistics, to customer service and invoicing.
What three tips do you have for our students in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science regarding their studies and future careers?
- Be curious and try to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible, even if it doesn’t have any immediately apparent benefit in the short term. You never know when it might come in handy.
- Get involved during your studies in a topic that interests you—whether in the student council, in politics, or in clubs. You’ll never have this much time again. You’ll learn a lot about yourselves, and the soft skills will serve you well later on.
- Don’t focus your studies and course selection solely on career training and good grades. College is so much more than that. Personal development is just as important as the academic content and participation in the scientific process. All progress starts with basic research at universities! Do what interests you and what you enjoy. This also applies to your career choice!