W 3 Professorship for "Automation" (m/f/d)

Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading technical university in Germany seeks an experienced researcher to lead automation research and teaching. The position demands expertise in data-oriented automation, digital twins, and AI. Applicants should hold a PhD and have a track record in acquiring research funding. The role includes teaching Bachelor’s and Master’s students in both German and English. The university emphasizes collaborative research and welcomes diverse applicants, particularly aiming to increase female representation in STEM fields.

Qualifikationen

• Strong background in data-oriented automation and research.
• Demonstrable industrial research experience is a plus.
• Relevant teaching experience in German or English.

Aufgaben

• Develop and represent the field of automation in research and teaching.
• Teach compulsory and elective courses in Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
• Initiate research collaborations with various institutes.

Kenntnisse

Digital twins and industrial metaverse

Networked and distributed automation systems

Artificial intelligence in automation

Functional safety and cyber security in automation

Ausbildung

PhD in a relevant field

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau Department Electrical and computer engineering Research Field Engineering "Electrical engineering Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 14 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

With about 17,000 students, more than 300 professorships and around 160 degree, the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) is the technical university of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. As a place of top international research, it offers excellent working conditions and career opportunities. Those who study, research or work at RPTU experience a cosmopolitan environment and shape the future.

The future holder of this position will represent the field of automation in research and teaching within the department and develop it in a forward‑looking manner. The applicant is expected to have a broad technical background in the field of data‑oriented automation and an outstanding scientific expertise in at least two of the following research areas:

• Digital twins and industrial metaverse
• Networked and distributed automation systems
• Artificial intelligence in automation
• Functional safety, cyber security and resilience in automation
• Applications of automation, e.g. in production engineering, process engineering, systems biology, building automation, construction processes and power systems

We are looking for a highly qualified individual with a strong background in the mentioned areas based on fundamental research or demonstrable industrial research and high visibility due to research projects and international publications. Experience in an industrial environment (industrial activities or projects) is welcome. In addition to a relevant scientific qualification, extensive experience in the independent acquisition of research funding and the independent leadership of a research group or equivalent industrial experience is expected.

Teaching duties include compulsory and elective courses in the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes, particularly on basic and advanced methods of automation and their applications, as well as methods of artificial intelligence in automation. Depending on the degree programme, teaching must be provided in either German or English. Knowledge of both languages is generally required. If the applicant does not have sufficient knowledge of the German language, a willingness to acquire the missing language skills within a reasonable period of time is expected. Relevant experience and a particular aptitude for academic teaching are required. Experience with interdisciplinary and international study programmes and innovative teaching concepts is expressly appreciated. Leading participation in the further development of the teaching programme as well as in academic self‑administration is expected.

Active participation in and initiation of research collaborations within the department, at the university and at the location, e.g. with the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE) and Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM) is expressly desired. In particular, there is also the opportunity to actively participate in SmartFactory KL.

Specific Requirements

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate and RPTU advocate a supervision concept in which a high level of presence of teaching staff at the university location is expected. In addition to the general employment requirements, the employment requirements set out in Section 49 of the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Education Act apply.

RPTU stands for the diversity of all employees. We welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethnic and social origin, age, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation or identity. Severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent status will be given preference if they are suitably qualified and suitable (please enclose proof of severe disability/equal status with your application).

RPTU strives to increase the proportion of women in areas in which women are underrepresented. Applications from female and male scientists from abroad are expressly encouraged.