The professorship is affiliated with the Department of Clinical Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine. Through this joint appointment, Leipzig University and Fraunhofer IZI are strengthening collaboration at the interface between university and non-university research in the field of infection pathology. The appointment will also further expand networking within the Interdisciplinary Center for Infection Medicine, an alliance of institutions working in infection research at Leipzig University Hospital.

The professorship focuses on translational research — that is, bridging basic research, preclinical development, and clinical application to develop new preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases. Professor Ulbert has already been pursuing this goal as Head of the Department of Infection Research and Diagnostics at Fraunhofer IZI. Since 2020, he has also served as Deputy Director of the institute, which is headquartered in Leipzig. His research focuses on flaviviruses, and his postdoctoral thesis dealt with the West Nile virus. Professor Ulbert played a key role in developing a technology that uses low-energy electron beams for vaccine production. This efficient, rapid, and environmentally friendly manufacturing process earned the Fraunhofer Prize for Human- and Environment-Centered Technology 2021.