In 1987–1995 Engel was a post-doctoral fellow with Wolf Singer at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany.
In addition to working on the experimental validation of this hypothesis, Engel pursues research on its cognitive and theoretical implications.
As a postdoctoral researcher with Wolf Singer at the Max Planck Institute, Engel was involved in studies that demonstrated the relevance of neural synchrony, in particular of so-called gamma waves, for processing of perceptual information.
In the past 15 years, Engel's group has expanded their work to the human brain, using EEG and MEG in combination with source modeling techniques.
[9] The results of these studies demonstrate the importance of neuronal oscillations and synchrony for perceptual processing,[10][11] attention,[12] working memory,[13] decision-making and consciousness.
[14][15][16] Recent work of the group on the interaction of visual, auditory and tactile systems suggests a role of temporal binding for multisensory integration.