Christoph Somsen is since 2000 a member of the Chair of Materials Science at the Ruhr University Bochum. Since 2004, he is on a permanent position („Akademischer Rat“). His research area is the application of trans-mission electron microscopy to functional and structural engineering materials. He is responsible for the two transmission electron microscopes in the group and for the dual beam FIB. Christoph Somsen is presently interested in in-situ TEM experiments on the formation of thermal and mechanically induced martensite in NiTi shape memory alloys and on the long-term stability of microstructures of tempered martensite ferritic steels. He teaches a class on the interaction of materials with electrons, neutrons and X-rays (including an introduction into transmission electron microscopy) and a second class on high-temperature materials. Christoph Somsen is responsible for the retrofitting of laboratories where new experimental equipment is installed. And moreover, he is responsible for all matters concerning the International Max Planck Research School SurMat (Surface and Interface Engineering of Advanced Materials).