Rate My Professor Jan Polzer

Jan Polzer is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Auckland, where he serves as Industrial Liaison and Senior Lecturer for Smart Automation. His work focuses on Industry 4.0 technologies, digital twins, automation systems, mechatronics, control theory, and applied research in industrial settings. He contributes to initiatives such as the Digital Manufacturing Light programme, which supports manufacturers in digital transformation efforts.

Prior to his current role, Dr Polzer accumulated over 18 years of experience in research and development projects within the German process industry. He previously served as Head of the Downstream Automation department at VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut (BFI), an applied research institute affiliated with Germany’s steel industry. In that capacity, he developed advanced automation concepts, process optimisation strategies, and mechatronic systems, emphasising the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies to improve industrial efficiency. His academic background includes studies at Universität Duisburg-Essen. Dr Polzer maintains an active research profile with contributions in areas including real-time sensing technologies and system modelling for manufacturing applications.