University Professor of Modern German Literary History focus Classical and Romant

Offer Description

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region, the university can exploit its full potential and showcase its dynamic innovative power. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching, in turn paving the way for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its faculties and departments are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center, creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from all over the world.

We are inviting applications for the position of University Professor of Modern German Literary History with a focus on the Classical and Romantic periods
. Salary grade W 3 LBesG | Civil servant (tenured) to be filled at the earliest possible date.

We are seeking a candidate who can represent the field of Modern German Literary History with a focus on the Classical and Romantic periods in an appropriate breadth in research and teaching. In research and teaching, the candidate will also cover the fields of Aesthetic Theories, Media and Culture Studies. The holder is expected to conduct visible research with an international focus, cooperate within the department, establish joint and third‑party funded projects, and contribute to cooperation programmes within the faculty and beyond (e.g., neighbouring faculties, RMU Alliance).

They will represent the focus areas in all German Studies bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes and support other degree programmes (e.g., Comparative Literature). The holder must be flexible in teaching assignments based on the demand for teacher‑education degrees, employ modern didactic approaches, and have an ongoing commitment to further develop degree programmes beyond the subject area. Interest and contribution to cooperative and international courses offered are highly welcomed.

Participation in academic self‑administration is also part of the professorship.

In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in section 49 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland‑Palatinate; in particular an outstanding habilitation or equivalent achievements and pedagogical aptitude. The following criteria are particularly important:

• an innovative research and teaching profile in the above‑mentioned focus areas,
• visible research achievements, also beyond the qualification period, documented through continuously outstanding publications,
• international orientation, visibility, and networking of research,
• experience with research cooperations and joint research as well as raising competitive third‑party funding,
• extensive experience in teaching and an innovative teaching method, including digital teaching formats and the particular consideration of teaching degree students as well as the ability and willingness to teach in English,
• experience with regard to academic self‑administration,
• cooperative, team‑oriented and proactive work attitude, strong communication skills, and the willingness to assume responsibility – including further professional development in accordance with JGU’s leadership guidelines.

The German Department is looking forward to an excellent addition to its cooperative teaching staff, which consists of a wide variety of experts. JGU firmly supports making family and career compatible and promotes its employees’ further professional development with an extensive range of human resources development opportunities.

JGU welcomes qualified applications from people with diverse backgrounds. JGU aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages female researchers to apply. People with severe disabilities and people with disabilities who are treated equally in accordance with Section 2 (3) SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they are suitable.

Please submit your application in digital form by 02.03.2026. The application must include:

• cover letter, academic vita, list of publications, list of courses taught, further information (regarding third‑party funds, prizes, etc.), diplomas,
• pdf documents of the publications: a monograph, and three essay publications which correspond to the requirements of this professorship,
• teaching method,
• information on current or future research projects.