Institute for Occupational Physiology

The Institute for Occupational Physiology was founded in 1969 with strong connections to the University of Dortmund, although not being dependent from the universitary administration (Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie an der Universität Dortmund; IfADo). The IfADo has its historical roots in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-/ Max- Planck-Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie in Berlin (founded 1912). In the year 1929 the whole institute moved from the capital city to Dortmund, in order to come in closer touch with the Montan - industrial (cole mining, heavy metal production) overcrowded regions of the Ruhrgebiet. After leaving the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (1969), a new scientific orientation was created. Five occupational science departments were founded to work interdisciplinary in the fields of Toxicology and Occupational Medicine, Sensory Physiology and Neurophysiology, Environmental Physiology and Occupational Medicine, Occupational Psychology and Ergonomics.

Today, the modern IfADo (since May 1997) is organized as an interdisciplinary working unity with "flat design" hirachy and "lean management" administration. Actually, 11 strongly interconnected and time limited research projectgroups deal with applicable basic research. The IfADo is member of the scientific community Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (WGL) [Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors] and is a WHO collaborating Centre for Occupational Health.

The institute has 148 employees overall, 70 scientists, with an annual budget of 9,3 Mio € (including external funding of 1,7 Mio €).

Mission of the Institute

Basic research focussed on applicability in order to preserve human fitness for work by avoidance of work-related strain

Central Research topics

• Preservation and improvement of the working capability, working capacity, the overall effciency of men at work
  
• Evaluation of impairments deduced from occupation
  
• Evaluation of situative and individual vulnerability of human beings with respect to their special work places and occupational surroundings

Actually, 11 interconnected research projectgroups * [P1, P2, P3, P6, P7, P9, P10, P11, P11a, P12, P13] are focussed on these central topics.

The disciplines of this transdisciplinary research are Behavioral Science and Neuroscience [P1, P2, P3, P6, P7],as well as Occupational Sciences and Occupational Medicine [P9, P10, P11, P11a, P12, P13]. (* P4, P5, P8 are actually not active)

Occupational Research

The intention of occupational research is to bring more security for the working capability of men by avoidance of impairments forced by special tasks or hazardous occupational surroundings.

The research areas deal with:

• Support and improvement of physical and mental performance
  
• Evaluation of work-related strain
  
• Evaluation of individual and situational vulnerability