Thomas Bauer is currently professor of economics at the University of Bochum (Ruhr-Universität Bochum). He studied economics at the University of Munich and received his degree as Diplom-Volkswirt in 1993. From 1993–1997 he worked as research associate at SELAPO, University of Munich. In July 1997 he obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Munich for his dissertation on the labor market effects of immigration and migration policy in Germany. From 1997–1998 Thomas Bauer visited the Rutgers University, USA, under the auspices of a Feodor-Lynen-Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation. In September 1998 he joined IZA as Senior Research Associate and became IZA Program Director for the Research Area “Mobility and Flexibility of Labor” in July 1999.