Structure & Governance
How CESOC is Structured
CESOC’s governance is built around three complementary bodies: the Directors’ Board, the Coordination Office, and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The Directors’ Board provides overall leadership and strategic oversight, the Coordination Office drives CESOC forward by managing operations and initiating new activities and ideas, and the SAB offers independent scientific advice to support the Centre’s objectives. Together, these bodies ensure effective management, strategic development, and high-quality scientific guidance.
Directors’ Board
CESOC is led by a Directors’ Board, consisting of three directors, one from each partner institution (University of Cologne, University of Bonn, Forschungszentrum Jülich), with an elected deputy for each partner. Directors and deputies are elected for a fixed term according to the CESOC statute, with elections held every few years.
The Directors’ Board is responsible for overall CESOC development and coordination with the rectorates and executive boards of the partner institutions. It meets weekly with the Coordination Office for operational issues and at least twice a year for strategic planning. An academic staff and student representative also participates, ensuring early-career researchers are actively involved in governance.
The three founding directors coordinated the CESOC founding and legal procedures prior to 2020. After the unexpected passing of Astrid Kiendler-Scharr (Forschungszentrum Jülich) in February 2023, Prof. Andreas Wahner served as interim director until a new director was elected electronically in September 2023. At that time, deputies for each partner location were also elected.
Our Directors
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kusche
Institute for Geodesy and Geoinformation (IGG), University of Bonn
- E-mail: kusche@uni-bonn.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 228 73-2629
Prof. Dr. Susanne Crewell
Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology (IGM), University of Cologne
- E-mail: susanne.crewell@uni-koeln.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 221 470-5286
Prof. Dr. Martin Schultz
Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) Forschungszentrum Jülich
- E-mail: m.schultz@fz-juelich.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 2461 61-96870
Deputy Directors
Prof. Dr. Petra Mutzel
Institute for Computer Science University of Bonn
- E-mail: pmutzel@uni-bonn.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 228 73-69917
Prof. Dr. Christian Sohler
Institute for Computer Science University of Cologne
- E-mail: sohler@cs.uni-koeln.de
Prof. Dr. Stefan Kollet
Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG) Forschungszentrum Jülich
- E-mail: s.kollet@fz-juelich.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 2461 61-9593
Representative and Co-Representative for CESOC staff & students
Dr. Anne Caroline Lange
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE), Forschungszentrum Jülich
- E-mail: ann.lange@fz-juelich.de
- Tel: +49 (0) 2461 61-6078
Dr. Philipp Breul
Institute for Geophysics und Meteorology (IGM), University of Cologne
- E-mail: pbreul@uni-koeln.de
- Tel: +49 (0)221 470-6276
Coordination Office
The Coordination Office, established in May 2021, plays a central role in driving CESOC forward, translating strategic objectives into action and supporting both operational and innovative initiatives. It works closely with the Directors’ Board to implement strategic priorities, coordinate interdisciplinary projects, and foster new ideas that advance CESOC’s mission.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic planning and initiative development: proposing and coordinating new research, teaching, and networking activities aligned with CESOC’s long-term goals.
- Operational management: overseeing committees, meetings, events, workshops, seminars, and colloquia.
- Resource and project coordination: managing human resources, finances, and partnerships in collaboration with partner institutions.
- Communication and visibility: maintaining the CESOC website, public relations, and correspondence to enhance the Centre’s profile.
By combining operational excellence with strategic insight, the Coordination Office ensures that CESOC continuously advances its scientific and organisational objectives.
Dr. Florentine Weber
Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Forschungs-zentrum Jülich & Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne
- E-mail: f.weber@fz-juelich.de
M.Sc. Hana Altom A. Mohammed
Institute for Geodesy and Geoinformation, University of Bonn
- E-mail: hmohamme@uni-bonn.de
- Tel: +49 (0)228 73-6423
Dr. Christa Genz
Institute for Geophysics und Meteorology (IGM), University of Cologne
- christa.genz@uni-koeln.de
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
To obtain independent insights and support CESOC’s development, a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) was appointed in 2023. Six distinguished members from international institutes, universities, and organizations contribute their expertise. Dr. Vincent-Henri Peuch (Head of Site ECMWF Bonn) is among the members, helping to strengthen collaboration with ECMWF.
The SAB advises the Directors’ Board on fundamental questions to achieve CESOC’s objectives, by:
- Providing recommendations and opinions on scientific and structural development.
- Advising on major investments that align with CESOC’s mission.
- Offering recommendations and advice on internal evaluations for continuous improvement.
SAB members serve three-year terms (with one possible reappointment) and convene at least once a year. A chairperson is elected to lead discussions.
The first informal meeting with the Directors’ Board took place online on April 23, 2024, and Maria Cristina Facchini (CNR-ISAC) was elected as chairperson. The SAB provides written recommendations to the Directors’ Board and supports CESOC’s strategic and scientific development.
Dr. Cristina Facchini
SAB Chairperson
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), Bologna, Italy
Prof. Dr.-Ing Roland Klees
SAB member
Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
Dr. Silvio Lattanzi
SAB member
Google Research Zürich, Switzerland
Dr. Vincent-Henri Peuch
SAB member
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Bonn, Germany
Dr. Jörg Schulz
SAB member
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), Darmstadt, Germany
Prof. Dr. Nicole Van Lipzig
SAB member
Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Belgium