Marcus read management, economics and political science at the University of Mannheim (Germany) and Warwick Business School (England). He obtained his PhD from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) where he worked as a research associate and scientific project manager in technology management and international entrepreneurship for eight years. He also completed his habilitation during this time. In 2013 he joined the Military Academy at ETH Zurich where he leads the Department of Defense Economics. Marcus published in reputed field journals (e.g., Research Policy, Journal of Managements) and authored twelve books to date. He specializes in the history, polity, economics and military of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. Since the 2022 Russian invasion into Ukraine, he has provided commentary in both the German-speaking and international media.