Robert Kofler studied agriculture at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. After a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (Berlin) he moved to Vienna. He is now independent group leader (equivalent of Assoc. Prof.) at Vetmeduni. His research addresses on the evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements and the identification of the molecular basis of adaptation. He is pursuing an interdisciplinary research using computer simulations, experimental evolution and novel sequencing technologies, which frequently encompasses the development of new bioinformatics software.