W2-Professorship Automation Engineering; m​/f​/d

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With this professorship, Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences aims to integrate automation technology with the application fields of production, energy systems, and building technology. We are seeking an institutionally recognized individual with industry experience to represent the field in teaching and applied research, and to drive the digital transformation of technical systems.

We are looking for a candidate with a university degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or a related field. You must demonstrate an exceptional capacity for scientific work, proven by a high-quality PhD in one of the aforementioned areas. You possess at least five years of professional experience, preferably post-doctoral, including three years outside the higher education sector.

You have worked in an industry-related environment within the field of automation technology, covering at least one of the application areas: production engineering, process engineering, building automation, or energy technology.

Furthermore, you bring relevant practical experience - from research, development, and/or application - in several of the following areas related to automation technology:

• Digital Twin
• Systems Engineering
• AI in Automation Technology - e.g., computer vision, predictive maintenance, intelligent drive systems
• Networked and Distributed Systems
• Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, and Resilience in automation and/or critical infrastructures
• Human-Machine Collaboration - e.g., intuitive operating concepts for commissioning and maintenance

Desirable qualifications include:

• Publications as first or senior author
• Experience in acquiring and managing research and development projects

The subject areas are to be represented in both teaching and applied research. Excellent didactic skills and a high level of commitment to teaching are taken for granted, as is the willingness to participate in exchanges with our international partner universities and to offer courses in both German and English. Furthermore, we expect active participation in teaching foundational subjects, advanced courses, and specialized lectures on current research topics, as well as, if applicable, lectures in related subject areas and part-time continuing education programs.

In addition, you will take on:

• the development of an independent research profile and integration into the university's existing research focus areas, as well as conducting application-oriented research in cooperation with partners from science and industry
• active participation in doctoral projects and the promotion of early-career researchers
• the utilization and further development of the laboratory infrastructure in teaching and research
• committed collaboration in university committees as well as participation in the establishment, expansion, and further development of degree programs

We expect the candidate to integrate well into the existing team both professionally and personally, to be active in the academic self-governance of our university, and to enjoy imparting knowledge from their own professional experience to students.

Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences offers an innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and research environment. Particularly in the field of applied engineering, the department's new laboratory building provides an excellently equipped infrastructure. In addition to the laboratory for automation technology, there are points of connection to fields such as drive technology, power electronics, embedded systems, robotics, materials testing, and the Smart Energy Lab.

The university maintains a large number of collaborations with universities, research institutions - such as Max Planck and Fraunhofer Institutes - and companies, the intensification and expansion of which is desired. In this context, we aim to increase third-party funding acquisition and raise the number of (co‑operative) doctoral degrees.

We expect strong teamwork and cooperation skills, as well as pedagogical strength for high-quality, practical, and target-audience-oriented teaching. You plan courses based on learning objectives, utilize various assessment and feedback formats, and continuously develop your teaching methods.

Furthermore, we require personal initiative, a professional approach to feedback, a high level of presence on campus, and fluency in both German and English.

The hiring requirements for professors are regulated in Section 49 of the Higher Education Act (Hochschulgesetz) of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. An appointment to the advertised position is only possible if the hiring requirements according to § 49, Section 1, No. 4, Letter b (HochSchG) are fulfilled.

We explicitly welcome applications from all age groups, regardless of gender identity, disability, ethnic background, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation or identity.

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