Postdoctoral Researcher · Kiel University
Affiliate Researcher · PTB Berlin

Dr.-Ing. Eric
Elzenheimer

Ultra Low-Field Magnetometers, Biomagnetic Sensing Sensor Readout and Digital Signal Processing

Teaching & Supervision
Kiel University
Technical Lead
Kiel Magnetically Shielded Room (KMSR)
National Speaker Team
Magnetic Methods in Medicine, DGBMT
Portrait of Dr.-Ing. Eric Elzenheimer
YEARS
EXPERIENCE
10+
CITATIONS
300+
PUBLICATIONS
35+

Google Scholar · updated September 2026

Contact


+49 431 880-6170

Office · Kiel University

Chair of Microwave Engineering
Room: C-03.017 (ZEVS)
Kaiserstraße 2, 24143 Kiel, Germany

Contact & Directions

Elsewhere

Research focus

I am a research scientist working at the intersection of biomagnetism, magnetometry, and metrology. My research focuses on the quantitative measurement of weak magnetic fields and on translating emerging magnetometer technologies into reliable tools for biomedical research and future clinical applications. My approach considers the complete sensor signal chain, from the sensing element through readout and signal processing to the analog or digital sensor output.

Scientific background

My scientific background is rooted in digital signal processing, systems theory, and biomedical sensing. I earned my Dr.-Ing. degree (summa cum laude) at Kiel University in 2022. Within the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center 1261, my doctoral research focused on the multimodal investigation of nerve and muscle activity using electrical and magnetic sensors, particularly magnetoneurography (MNG) and magnetomyography (MMG). This work initiated an ongoing collaboration with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Berlin and shaped my continuing interest in quantitative magnetometer characterization.

Current position and research

Today, I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Microwave Engineering at Kiel University. My research spans sensor-level metrology and multichannel biomagnetic measurement systems. I investigate and apply methods for noise analysis, transfer-function characterization, and timing assessment. I also study magnetic shielding and system-level performance across emerging magnetometer technologies.

Teaching, reviewing and community

Alongside my research, I am actively involved in teaching and student supervision at Kiel University, where I lead the master’s-level course “(Bio-)Magnetometry and Metrology in the Low-Frequency Range.” I also contribute to academic peer review for scientific journals, conferences, and research funding organizations, including foundations. I serve on the speaker team of the DGBMT Technical Committee “Magnetic Methods in Medicine.”

June 25, 2026: We are happy to announce that the German Patent and Trade Mark Office has granted our patent “Magnetfeldmessvorrichtung” (Magnetic field measuring apparatus), DE 10 2025 101 432 B8. The patent covers a magnetoelectric (ME) sensor apparatus based on a mechanically driven magnetostrictive substrate strip and a gradiometric induction-coil readout, enabling enhanced detection of magnetic-field gradients and improved suppression of common-mode disturbances. The patent is held by Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel. Inventors are Andreas Bahr, Eric Elzenheimer, Michael Höft, Dennis Seidler, and Johan Solis-Arbustini.

April 9, 2026: An invited talk was presented at Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignal Analysis, University of Münster. The talk, “Magnetometer Characterization: A Key Foundation for Magnetic Field Sensors?”, highlighted recent evaluation results and sparked engaging discussions on current OPM-MEG systems and their associated challenges. Thanks are given to Prof. Joachim Groß, Prof. Carsten Wolters and Andreas Wollbrink for providing the opportunity to visit the institute and for the invitation, their generous hospitality, and for providing an excellent insight into the institute through an informative lab-tour.

Earlier updates 5 entries

March 19, 2026: Participation in the CRC 1261 Retreat at Akademie Sankelmark, including the presentation of current project related results of Project Z2 (Link). The retreat provided an excellent platform within the CRC1261 for scientific exchange, fostering discussions on recent progress, methodological approaches, and future research directions in biomagnetic sensing with magnetoelectric (ME) sensors.

March 3, 2025: Our last characterization article is now available in Measurement, the prestigious journal of IMEKO. For the first time, we present a vendor-comprehensive timing benchmark of commercial SERF-OPMs, comparing Neuro-1 and QZFM Gen. 2 (QuSpin) with HEDscan and FLv2 (FieldLine). We reveal how time delay, synchronization, and settling behavior differ across systems. 👉 Read how timing differs across the systems and what it means for research and experiments worldwide today (Article Link).

March 3, 2026 - March 17, 2026: A successful CRC 1261 spring measurement campaign was conducted at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, accompanied by participation in the 3rd OPM Networking Workshop (PTB & Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin). The workshop provided valuable opportunities for in-depth exchange on current developments and challenges in biomagnetic sensing and biomagnetometry, including discussions on future prospects for the OPM-MEG Center at Charité (Link). As part of the campaign, an in-depth scientific exchange with MAG4HEALTH addressed strategies for the future evaluation of 4-He-OPMs.

February 15, 2026 - March 1, 2026: A highly productive research stay was conducted at the Biomedical Engineering Department of Prof. Daniel Baumgarten at University of Innsbruck. The visit enabled intensive collaboration and in-depth discussions on current research topics, particularly MEG and MNPs, fostering the fundament for a potential joint research project. Sincere thanks are extended to the entire team for their warm hospitality and support throughout the stay, as well as for the enjoyable table football sessions. Finally, the “Biosignale Workshop 2026” hosted by the institute (Link) provided an excellent and fitting culmination of the stay, combining scientific presentations with valuable discussions in a stimulating and collegial atmosphere, complemented by well-organized social activities surrounded by the mountain landscape of Innsbruck. In total, one session on "Magnetic Methods", co-chaired with Prof. Silvio Dutz, comprised six contributions, of which four were co-authored. The corresponding abstracts will be published soon.

February 17, 2026: Acceptance of two focus sessions at BMT 2026 in Augsburg was confirmed. One session, “Advances in (Bio-)Magnetic Sensing: From Next-Generation Magnetometers to Multichannel Systems and Emerging Clinical Applications”, is jointly organized with Marion (Brickwedde, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin & Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin). A second session, “Recent Advances in Medical Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles”, is jointly organized with Prof. Silvio (Dutz, WH Zwickau) and Frank (Wiekhorst, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin). We look forward to strong submissions and engaging scientific exchange within the sessions, which are also supported by the national committee on "Magnetic Methods in Medicine".

My research connects sensor metrology, biomagnetic sensing, magnetic shielding, and digital signal processing to enable quantitative and reproducible measurements across the complete measurement chain, from individual sensing elements to multichannel biomagnetic systems.

Magnetometer Characterization & Metrology

Quantitative characterization of magnetometers with a focus on noise, transfer-function behavior, timing, gain matching, linearity, and cross-axis effects to enable reproducible measurements and robust comparisons across sensor technologies.

Biomagnetic Sensing (MxG)

Biomagnetic measurements of brain (MEG), heart (MCG), nerve (MNG) and muscle activity (MMG), using quantum sensors such as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) and nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, as well as other sensitive magnetometers, with a particular focus on OPM-MEG.

Magnetic Shielding & Measurement Environments

Characterization and optimization of low-field measurement environments through magnetic shielding, degaussing, residual-field mapping, and interference suppression to support high-sensitivity magnetometry and stable biomagnetic measurements.

Explore the KMSR facility

Sensor Systems & Signal Processing

Integration of magnetic sensors, readout electronics, data acquisition, and digital signal processing to enable transfer-function compensation and quantitative characterization of multichannel sensor systems.

Membership in Scientific Societies:

  • IEEE, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
  • German Society for Biomedical Engineering (DGBMT), Society of German Engineers (VDI), Fachausschüsse „Magnetische Methoden in der Medizin“ and „Biosignale”
  • VDE-ITG-Fachgruppe „Signalverarbeitung und maschinelles Lernen“

Academic Distinctions:

  • Klee-Price for Ph.D. Thesis from the German Society for Biomedical Engineering – Press Release 1.
  • Kiel University's Faculty Award for Best Ph.D. Thesis of 2022 – Press Release 1 Press Release 2.
  • Master Thesis awarded by Professor-Döhrer-Prize, recognizing the scientific and technical rigor as well as the industrial relevance.
Scientific Talks: 17 entries
  • International Summer School 2026: “Magnetic Sensing – New Developments and Advancements”, September 8-11, 2026, Kiel, Germany.
  • 24th International Conference on Biomagnetism (BIOMAG 2026), August 23-25, 2026, Beijing, China.
  • 14th Workshop on Optically Pumped Magnetometers, August 21-22, 2026, Beijing, China.
  • Invited Colloquium Talk, Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis (IBB), University of Münster, April 16, 2026, Münster, Germany
  • Invited Colloquium Talk, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), TU Ilmenau, November 24, 2025, Ilmenau, Germany
  • 2nd OPM Networking Workshop (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Charité, internal), November 12, 2025, Berlin, Germany
  • IEEE Sensors 2025, September 19-22, 2025, Vancouver, Canada
  • 59th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2025), September 09-11, 2025, Muttenz, Switzerland.
  • 13th Workshop on Optically Pumped Magnetometers, August 06-08, 2025, Villingen, Switzerland.
  • 1st OPM Networking Workshop (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Charité, internal), March 17, 2025, Berlin, Germany.
  • 57th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2023), September 26-28, 2023, Duisburg, Germany.
  • Invited Talk: Magnetoelectric Thin-film Sensors Toward Biomagnetic Sensor Systems, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), March 16, 2023 – Berlin, Germany.
  • Workshop on Biosignals – Innovative Processing of Bioelectrical and Biomagnetic Signals, March 11–13, 2020 – Kiel, Germany.
  • 53rd Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2019), September 25–26, 2019 – Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging (DGKN), March 28–30, 2019 – Freiburg, Germany.
  • 52nd Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2018), September 26–28, 2018 – Aachen, Germany.
  • Workshop on Biosignals – Innovative Processing of Bioelectrical and Biomagnetic Signals, March 21–23, 2018 – Erfurt, Germany.
Reviewer Activities: 15 entries
  • Joachim Herz Stiftung
  • Measurement - Journal of the International Measurement Confederation
  • Springer Nature Scientific Reports
  • IEEE Sensors Journal
  • IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
  • Journal of Electronic Science and Technology
  • Clinical Neurophysiology (Elsevier)
  • Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik
  • Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
  • 59th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering, 2025, Muttenz, Switzerland
  • 58th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering, 2024, Stuttgart, Germany
  • 57th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering, 2023, Duisburg, Germany
  • 29th IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems, 2022, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • 56th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering, 2022, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Workshop on Biosignals - Innovative Processing of Bioelectrical and Biomagnetic Signals, 2022, Dresden, Germany
Attended Workshops / Trainings / Conferences / Congresses: 16 entries
  • 2nd OPM Networking Workshop (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Charité, internal), November 12, 2025, Berlin, Germany
  • IEEE Sensors 2025, September 19-22, 2025, Vancouver, Canada
  • 59th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2025), September 09-11, 2025, Muttenz, Switzerland
  • 13th Workshop on Optically Pumped Magnetometers, August 06-08, 2025, Villingen, Switzerland
  • 1st OPM Networking Workshop (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Charité, internal), March 17, 2025, Berlin, Germany
  • Quantum Sensing in a Maritime Environment, WTD 71, September 5-6, 2023, Kiel, Germany
  • 57th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2023), September 26-29, 2022, Duisburg, Germany
  • 56th Annual Conference of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering (BMT2022), September 28-30, 2022, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Workshop on Biosignals – Innovative Processing of Bioelectrical and Biomagnetic Signals, August 24–26, 2022 – Dresden, Germany
  • CCRC 1261 Summer School 2019 – Magnetic Sensing and Applications in Medicine and Industry: State of the Art and New Prospects, August 19–21, 2019
  • Magnetic Sensors: Determination of Position, Movement and Current with Fluxgate, Hall Sensor, MR Sensor, June 18–19, 2019 – Essen, Germany
  • MathWorks Training (MATLAB Fundamentals / MATLAB Advanced Programming Techniques), August 21–23, 2018 – Kiel, Germany
  • 13th Workshop on Neurophysiology with Neurosonography in Holstein (Focus on EMG), September 15–17, 2017 – Kaltenkirchen, Germany
  • 12th ITG-Symposium on Voice Communication, October 5–7, 2016 – Paderborn, Germany
  • 136th International AES Convention, April 26–29, 2014 – Berlin, Germany.
  • 25th Conference on Electronic Speech Signal Processing, March 26–28, 2014 – Dresden, Germany

Current Teaching (Master’s Course) – Lead Instructor (Since Summer Semester 2025)

  • (Bio-)Magnetometry and Metrology in the Low-frequency Range — Lecture and Exercise

Current Seminar/Laboratory Supervision Support

  • Seminar Advanced Topics in Microwave Technologies
  • Bachelorpraktikum Hochfrequenztechnik — Hands-on Laboratory Course

Ph.D. Mentoring as Postdoc

  • (Bio-)Magnetometry, Metrology, Biosignals, Modulation, Signal Processing, Electronics: Ongoing advisory support and methodological guidance for Ph.D. candidates

Teaching (during Ph.D.)

  • Digital Signal Processing — Exercise
  • Advanced Digital Signal Processing — Exercise
  • Digital Audio Effects — Support of Lecture and Exercise
  • Systems Theory Laboratory — Hands-on Laboratory Course
  • Communications Laboratory — Hands-on Laboratory Course

Student Supervision & Examination (during Ph.D.)

  • Supervised Bachelor’s and Master’s research projects and theses
  • Prepared, invigilated, and graded written and practical assessments

Academic Teaching Staff (Pre-Ph.D. Time)

Designed new laboratory experiments, authored innovative exercise material, and led tutorials employing state-of-the-art didactical methods:

  • Measurement Technology — Hands-on Laboratory Course
  • Methods of Electrical Engineering — Exercise