From 1968 till 1973, Rudolf Egg studied psychology at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität in Erlangen. Between 1973 and 1983, he was a research fellow at the institute for psychology at Erlangen-Nuremberg University. 1979, he took his doctoral degree in psychology, crimonology and psychopathology, followed by his habilitation in 1983.
From 1980 till 1982, he was working at Bielefeld University, from 1983 till 1985, he was the substitute professor at the chair of psychology at Bayreuth University. Since 1986, he is working at the then newly founded Kriminologische Zentralstelle (KrimZ) in Wiesbaden, since 1997 he functions as its director.
Because of his wide experience as a scientist and expert witness, Rudolf Egg is a media-appreciated specialist for the explanation of psychological backgrounds of crimes or for the profiling of offenders and/or suspects.