In 2009, Rudolf earned his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Twente, specialising in Mechanical Automation and Mechatronics. His thesis delved into active vibration insulation control for high-tech equipment. Subsequently, in 2013, he completed his PhD at TU/Delf in Mechatronic System Design, focusing on adaptive optics for EUV lithography. As a postdoctoral researcher until 2016 at the Vienna University of Technology, he explored control techniques for atomic force microscopy, vibration insulation, and adaptive optics for laser satellite communication. Transitioning to TNO Industry until 2021, he concentrated on adaptive optics and turbulence/link modeling for laser satellite communication. Presently, in Aerospace Engineering's Space Engineering department since 2021, his research centers on opto-mechatronics in space, primarily laser satellite communication.