Curriculum
Vitae
I’m a data scientist and environmental consultant with a PhD in Analytical Chemistry and over 7 years of experience. I create software and machine learning models that help monitor and protect the environment
– from real-time water quality tracking to forecasting renewable energy.
My work combines advanced sensing technologies and data visualization to turn complex environmental data into clear, actionable insights. I also lead workshops to boost data literacy and inspire collaboration across different fields.
Passionate about sustainability, I volunteer and focus on using data science to make a positive impact on people and the planet – one insight at a time.
Professional Expertise
Since January 2022
Freelance Data Scientist and Environmental Consultant
Content
• Data analysis focusing on pattern recognition in complex environmental datasets and creating accessible
representation and visualization of such data
• Development of software applications and optimization of forecasting algorithms to support renewable energy on
the energy market
• Design and facilitation of workshops in system thinking, climate action simulation, and data analysis/visualization
for diverse audiences, from academics to the general public
March 2023 - September 2024
Data Scientist / System Modeling · Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC), Denmark (part-time)
Content
• Development of an assessment framework for ex-ante carbon capture and utilization technologies and
evaluating their scalability potential and environmental impact
• Design and facilitation of workshops in system thinking, technology assessment, and data analysis/visualization
for scientists at an international level
• Project management, proposal writing, and stakeholder communication
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Skills focusing on
Environmental Impact Assessment · Life Cycle Assessment · Workshop Facilitation
January 2023 - December 2023
Postdoctoral Researcher (Data Engineer) · Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC), Denmark (part-time)
Content
• Led a synergy project on large-scale digitalization of chemical parameters for water quality.
• Prototyped a multi-sensor platform for real-time water-quality monitoring.
• Developed advanced data-compression and transfer strategies to enable low-bandwidth, long-term sensor
deployments.
• Built knowledge-driven pipelines to correct sensor drift and data loss, ensuring reliable signal quality in remote
field settings.
• Collaborated with IT specialists and water-industry partners to define IoT-based architectures for distributed
environmental sensing.
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Skills focusing on
Sensor Optimisation · Signal Processing · Environmental Monitoring · Project management
November 2019 - October 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher (Data Engineer) · Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC), Denmark
Content
· Development of optical sensors for multi-parameter imaging of key biological parameters
· Image post-processing, data correlation, and Big Data Analysis
· Signal deconvolution and separation of overlaying / superimposed signals, inculding supervised machine learning
modelling, and correlation and pattern recognition analysis
· Development of graphical user interfaces (GUI) for data automatisation and visualisation of environmental data
· Co-supervision of PhD students and dissemination to peer researchers
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Skills achieved
Sensor Engineering · Hyperspectral Imaging · Supervised Pattern Recognition · Big Data Analysis · Data Visualisation
August 2019 - November 2019
Postdoctoral Researcher · Graz University of Technology, Austria
Content
· Wrapping up projects from my PhD
· Signal deconvolution for multiplex sensing of trace levels of dissolved oxygen and temperature
· Dissemination and Outreach
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Skills achieved
Statistical Modeling · Correlation Analysis · Multi-Parameter Sensing · Data Presentation · Dissemination
March 2016 - August 2019
PhD Candidate · Graz University of Technology, Austria
Content
· Development of a low-cost and miniaturised sensor for coastal monitoring til TRL 7
· Forecast analysis, cluster analysis, and risk assessment to identify harmful algae at an early stage
· Multi-variate analysis and supervised pattern recognition of environmental data
· Development of graphical user interfaces for data automatisation and visualisation
· Co-supervision of undergraduate students and dissemination to peer researchers and the public
· Report and dissemination; work package leadning within an international and interdisciplinary EP7 project
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Skills achieved
Python Programming · PyQt5 · Cluster Analysis · Optical Chemical Sensing · Multi-Parameter Sensing · Project Management · Dissemination (Scientific Writing/Presentation) · Outreach (End-User Demonstration) · Supervision · Training in Mediation, Communication, and Peer-Mentoring
September 2014 - October 2014
Internship · WESSLING München GmbH, Germany
Content
WESSLING is an international company for consulting, analysis and planning in the sectors of real estate, environment, food, consumer products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The internship focused on the development of an excel-based survey used as basis for the eco report (DIN EN ISO 14001)
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Skills achieved
Environmental Impact Assessment · Life Cycle Assessment · Environmental Consulting · statistical data analysis · Microsoft Office · Environmental Chemistry
March 2013 - September 2014
Undergraduate Research Assistant · Graz University of Technology, Austria
Content
At the Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, I worked in Prof. Michael Narodoslawsky's team on, among other things, optimizing environmental impact assessments of food and pesticides using the Sustainable Process Index (SPI). I furthermore compiled cost-benefit calculations for small-scale biogas plants in Austrian model regions for climate and energy.
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Skills achieved
Environmental Impact Assessment · Life Cycle Assessment · statistical data analysis · Microsoft Office · Environmental Chemistry
July 2012 - August 2012
Internship · Analytik Jena AG, Germany
Content
Analytik Jena is a global provider of analytical, bio analytical, and optical systems for industrial and scientific applications. The internship focused on the evaluation of standard instruments and protocols of elemental analysis, which were put on sale by Analytik Jena, as well as the testing of a software for quality assurance.
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Skills achieved
Analytical Chemistry · Method Development · statistical data analysis · Microsoft Office
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Education
March 2016 - August 2019
PhD Candidate · Graz University of Technology, Austria
Multi-parametric Sensing - from Development to Application in Marine Science
Supervision
Dipl.-Chem. Dr.rer.nat. I. Klimant
October 2013 - December 2015
MSc in Analytical Chemistry · Graz University of Technology, Austria
Optical detection module for algae species used as early warning system
Supervision
Dipl.-Chem. Dr.rer.nat. I. Klimant and Dr. G. Mistlberger
October 2010 - June 2013
BSc in Environmental System Science (focus on Chemistry) · University Graz, Austria
Chemistry
NMR-spectroscopic investigation of several natural occuring monosaccharides
Supervision
Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.rer.nat. K. Zangger
Mathematics
The expediency of the night-time reduction - a mathematical examination
Supervision
Ao.Univ.-Prof.i.R. Dr.phil. J. Schwaiger
Prizes and Honours
March 2021
Outstanding Presentation Award; WHISPERS - 11th Workshop on Hyperspectral Image and Signal Processing; Evolution in Remote Sensing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
September 2019
Best Talk Award, 15th ASAC Forum for Young Chemists in Linz, Austria
June and July 2018
Travel Grants of the Austrian Research Association (ÖFG) and of the Styrian Government
July 2019
Winner of the Student Project Competition of the 10th ASCOS Summer School on Biochemical Sensors in Medicine in Trest, Czech Republic
Teaching and Scientific Service
2024
Workshop Design and Facilitation for Novo Nordisk Foundation COâ‚‚ Research Center on System Thinking and Technology Impact Assessment
2024
Co-creation and teaching a one-week course on "Visualsation of Biological Data" for international PhD and Postdocs students
2023
Co-creation and facilitation of a workshop on "System Thinking · A light Introduction to Systems and System Modeling " for PhDs and Postdocs within the NNF CO2 Research Centre
2021
Guest Editor for the Journal Sensors
2020
Co-creation and teaching a one-week course on "Visualsation of Biological Data using R and Python" for international PhD and Postdocs students
August 2017 - December 2019
Formal Editor for Microchimica Acta
2016
Co-Organizer of the SCHeMA Summer School; Plentzia, Bilbao, Spain
2016
Co-Organizer of the Europt(r)ode XIII - Conference for optical chemical sensors and biosensors, Graz, Austria
October 2014 - July 2015
Research Assistant active in teaching
Volunteering
Since September 2021
Member of the Young Water Professionals Denmark (YWPDK) and International Water Association (IWA)
Since May 2021
Active member of ActionAid International and Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke and their climate justice action group. This volunteer activity included co-coordinator activities.
November 2018 - October 2020
Active member of the International and Regional Young Chemist Network (Graz, Austria)
Other experiences
Conference
17th Annual Water Research Conference, Bjerringbro, Denmark
February 2023
Conference
November 2022
EHJustice Annual Conference #2: Global Environmental Justice and Its Limits: Complexities of Time and Space, Aarhus University, Denmark
Summer School
August 2022
Summer school in applied machine learning and big data analysis, Copenhagen University, Denmark
Research Vessel
May 2022
A week-long research cruise in the Saint Lawrence River, departing from Rimouski, Quebec (Canada), for in situ imaging of mesopelagic zone sediments using optical chemical sensors
Summer School
Summer school in advanced water cycle management, Aarhus University, Denmark
August 2021
Research Vessel
January 2017 - June 2017
3x one-week Research Vessel and Marine Research Station in Archachon (France) and Genoa (Italy)
Visiting Researcher
October 2016 - November 2016
Research stay abroad at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
Traineeship
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Science, Germany
August 2014 - September 2014
Publications
2025
A novel, standalone and low-cost system for in-situ chemical imaging with planar optodes in soils
MR Rasmussen, T Merl, SE Zieger, S Thomsen, R Kiese, K Butterbach-Bahl, K Koren, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2025, Chemical 424, 136894
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2024
Cable bacteria skeletons as catalytically active electrodes
L Digel, M Mierzwa, R Bonné, SE Zieger, IA Pavel, E Ferapontova, K Koren, T Boesen, F Harnisch, I PG Marshall, LP Nielsen and A Kuhn, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024, 63 (6), e202312647
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AV Kalinichev, SE Zieger and K Koren, Analyst 2024, 149 (1), 29-45
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2023
Timing matters: the overlooked issue of response time mismatch in pH-dependent analyte sensing using multiple sensors
F Steininger, SE Zieger, and K Koren, Analyst 2023
Machine Learning for Optical Chemical Multi-Analyte Imaging | Why we should dare and why it’s not without risks
SE Zieger and K Koren, Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2023, 1-13
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T Merl, Y Hu, J Pedersen, SE Zieger, ML Bornø, A Tariq, S Gjedde Sommer, and K Koren, Anal Chem 2023, 2, 1210-1219
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2022
Noise vs. Resolution in Optical Chemical Imaging – How Reliable are our Measurements?
SE Zieger, PD Jones, and K Koren, ACS Omega 2022
2021
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Viability determination of Bacillus sphaericus after encapsulation in hydrogel for self-healing concrete via microcalorimetry and in situ oxygen concentration measurements
X. Zhu, A. Mignon, S. Dollerup Nielsen, SE Zieger, K Koren, N Boon and N De Belie, Cem and Concr Compos, 119 2021 104006
Dynamic Sensor Concept Combining Electrochemical pH Manipulation and Optical Sensing of Buffer Capacity
Steininger F., Zieger, SE. and Koren K., Anal. Chem. 2021, 93(8) 3822-3829
Hyperspectral Luminescence Imaging in Combination with Signal Deconvolution Enables Reliable Multi-Indicator-Based Chemical Sensing
S.E. Zieger, M. Mosshammer, M. Kühl & K. Koren, ACS Sens. 2021, 6(1) 183-191
2018
Spectral characterization of eight marine phytoplankton phyla and assessing a pigment-based taxonomic discriminant analysis for the in-situ classification of phytoplankton blooms
SE Zieger, S Seoane, A Laza- MartÃnez, A Knaus, G Mistlberger & I Klimant, Environ. Sci. Technol.2018, 52(24), 14266-14274
Compact and low-cost fluorescence based flow-through analyzer for early-stage classification of potentially toxic algae and in situ semi-quantification
S.E. Zieger, G. Mistlberger, L. Troi, A. Lang, F. Confalonieri, I. Klimant, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2018, 52(13), 7399-7408
2017
Fast pesticide detection inside microfluidic device with integrated optical pH, oxygen sensors and algal fluorescence
B. Tahirbegi, J. Ehgartner, P. Sulzer, S. Zieger, A. Kasjanow, M. Paradiso, M. Strobl, D. Bouwes, T. Mayr, Biosens. Bioelectron. 2017, 88, 188-195
SCHeMA EU Project Summer School Report (Bilbao June 16–17, 2016)
M. Akter,; M. Auguste, J. Bir, E. Blanco, T. Briaudeau, G. Dapueto, D. de Cerio, C. Coccoli, M. Creemers, M. Espino, D. Gain, E. Gil-Uriarte, C. Grimaldi, S.M.I. Khalil, A. Lopez, A. Rementeria, M. Roch, A. Rodriguez, O. Roman, H. Ruoyu, M. Abdou, M.C. Crespi, M.C. Botia, M. Fighera, T. Gil-Diaz, J.L. Kowal, F. Luxenburger, Ch. Mirasole, N. Pankratova, A. Penezic, S. Zieger, M. Tercier-Waeber, C. Nardin, CHIMIA 2017, 71(9), 607–610(4)