Janek Bender studied business informatics in Osnabrück, Clausthal, and Zagreb, focussing on the application of multi-agent systems in product data management. As part of his work as a project engineer in a medium-sized software company, he developed intelligent interfaces between product data management and enterprise resource planning systems. As a research associate at the FZI, he primarily researched the application of industrial artificial intelligence for production optimisation. Since 2021, he is co-leading the Department of Process and Data Management in Engineering.

His research interests lie in the application of industrial artificial intelligence in the fields of production, mechanical engineering, and construction. He received his doctorate on the topic of "AutoML-Supported Lead Time Prediction – Enabling Smart Job Scheduling in Make-To-Order Production".