Dr.-Ing. Tobias Hardes
Center of Competence Manager „Digital Infrastructure“ · Software Innovation Campus Paderborn
I work on wireless networks and autonomous systems and bring the results into research and development projects — at the interface between academia and industry. This also includes the (co-)leadership of national and international R&D projects, as well as their acquisition.
What I work on
Three fields that intertwine in my day-to-day work: scientific research, turning it into projects — and the collaboration that makes both possible.
Research & Development
Research on highly dynamic wireless networks with a focus on autonomous mobility, 5G / Industry 4.0 and connected systems — including through my PhD on cooperative mobility in urban environments.
Project Management
Contributing to, co-leading and leading national and international R&D projects, funded among others by BMBF, BMWK, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU — from proposal to delivery.
Collaboration & Enablement
Managing the Digital Infrastructure competence center, I support teams and partners in delivering joint initiatives — backed by ongoing training in communication and conflict management.
Professional Experience & Education
From technical computer scientist through software development in industry to research on connected mobility and managing a competence center.
Professional Experience
Center of Competence Manager „Digital Infrastructure“
Software Innovation Campus Paderborn- Managing the Digital Infrastructure competence center, connecting industrial and academic partners
Postdoc
Software Innovation Campus Paderborn- Contributed to R&D projects on mobility and autonomous systems, developed demonstrators
Research Associate
Heinz Nixdorf Institute / Software Innovation Campus Paderborn- Research on wireless networks and autonomous mobility; work-package leadership in R&D projects on Industry 4.0 and 5G
- Acquired and led the AirMobiSim project (BMBF Software Campus)
Software Engineer
Ascora GmbH, Ganderkesee- Software development (Java, C#/WPF, Angular) plus contribution and work-package leadership in European (H2020 / FP7) and national R&D projects
Earlier roles
Working student and vocational training in software development- Including p.l.i. solutions, NetAtWork, Fujitsu Technology Solutions and Wincor Nixdorf — software development, IT administration and software QA
Education
PhD (Dr.-Ing.), Computer Science
TU Dresden / Paderborn University- Title: "Cooperative Mobility in Urban Environments"
- Grade: summa cum laude
MSc, Computer Science
Paderborn University- Thesis on performance analysis and optimization of the Freifunk mesh network in Paderborn
BSc, Applied Computer Science
FHDW Paderborn- Built an extended business intelligence system for p.l.i. solutions GmbH's PROCESS-SUITE
Vocational Training, Technical Computer Scientist
b.i.b. International College PaderbornResearch Projects
National and international R&D projects focused on wireless communication, autonomous mobility and digital infrastructure — from proposal writing to (work-package) leadership.
DiSerHub
Work-package leadTransformation hub supporting automotive industry players in securing competitiveness through digital services and business models.
5G4Industry
Work-package leadManagement and planning of 5G and cloud resources in industrial environments.
AirMobiSim
Project leadSimulation framework for UAVs modeling flight and energy behavior, coupled with traffic and communication simulations. Independently acquired and led.
IP45G
ContributorInformation and transfer platform for accompanying research and networking around industrial 5G communication.
TACNET 4.0
Work-package leadUnified industrial 5G communication system integrating cellular and industrial networks for real-time control, remote maintenance and data-driven automation.
ACCEPT
Task leadSmart-glass-based assistance system for quality assurance in the construction of energy-efficient buildings.
ALFRED
Task leadAssistance system supporting older adults and promoting healthy, active aging.
Certificates & Training
Communication
- Since 2025 · ongoing, completion Oct. 2026Leadership Training: Expert & MasterArgumentorik-Akademie GmbH
- 2025Leadership Training: PractitionerArgumentorik-Akademie GmbH
- 2025 – 2026Leadership Training ProgramPaderborn University — Conflict & change management, negotiation, meeting facilitation
- 2024Inspiring and Motivating IndividualsUniversity of Michigan
- 2021Leadership EssentialsSoftware Campus – Hosam Ghadamsi
- 2021Communicating Persuasively Under PressureSoftware Campus – Anita Hermann-Ruess
- 2021Insights DiscoverySoftware Campus – Anita Hermann-Ruess
Project Management
- 2026IPMA Level D/CSOPRONIS Academy / PM-Zert
- 2021Work Smart! Not Hard!Software Campus – Anita Hermann-Ruess
- 2021Agile4ManagementSoftware Campus
- 2021Change ManagementSoftware Campus – Holger Sobanski
Higher-Ed Teaching
- 2021Teaching WritingWriting pedagogy training, Paderborn University
- 2018 – 2021Professional Teaching Competence — Advanced ModulePaderborn University
- 2018 – 2019Professional Teaching Competence — Basic ModulePaderborn University
Scientific Community & Volunteering
Beyond project work, I contribute to committees, professional associations and local initiatives.
Academia & Committees
- University service (selected) since 2018: mid-level staff representation, appointment committees, examination boards, institute board, conference publication service
- Reviewer since 2018 for journals and conferences by Elsevier, IEEE, IFIP and others
- Member of professional associations since 2018: IEEE, ACM, GI, KuVS
Volunteering
- Board member, Farmhouse Jazzclub Harsewinkel e. V. — since 2018
- Co-founder, Freifunk Paderborn / Freifunk Hochstift — 2013 – 2016
German
Native language
English
Business fluent, used regularly in projects, publications and talks
Let's talk
Open to conversations about research collaborations, project partnerships and new opportunities in connected mobility and digital infrastructure.