Sozialwissenschaft à United States

TU Dortmund University comprises 17 departments in the natural and engineering sciences as well as the humanities and social sciences and is a dynamic university with a strong profile in research, teaching, promotion of young scientists and transfer.

Fraunhofer represents applied research for the benefit of society and for strengthening the German and European economy. TU Dortmund University and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML have been cooperating in the field of logistics for over 40 years. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML is considered the leading address for holistic logistics research and works in all fields of internal and external logistics. Currently, around 450 research associates, as well as administrative staff and workshop employees, are working together with partners from industry for direct use by companies and in the pre‑competitive research aimed at tangible implementation.

A central goal of TU Dortmund University and the Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft is to promote diversity and equal opportunities. We strive to significantly increase the percentage of women in research and teaching and therefore welcome applications from female academics. We give preference to severely disabled applicants if their qualifications meet the requirements. We support the compatibility of family and career and promote gender equality in academia and research.

You represent at least two of the following areas in research and further develop these at a top international level:

• Transportation systems and logistics
• Complex networks of air, sea, road or rail freight transport logistics; including intermodal transportation networks
• Sustainable mobility and circular economy
• Logistics systems for specific sectors (e.g., retail, healthcare)

You use methods from at least two of the areas of process management, mathematical optimization and/or simulation. You show commitment to participate in and/or lead research networks and collaborations within and outside TU Dortmund University, including those with an international focus. Additionally, you are committed to promoting early career researchers and you are prepared to collaborate with mid‑size businesses and globally active companies. In teaching, you are responsible for courses in the field of transport logistics, among others in the degree programs logistics, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering, and participate appropriately in the development of the department's teaching.

The professorship is associated with membership in the management of the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, which includes the scientific, technical and entrepreneurial management and development of the institute within the Fraunhofer model and the overall Fraunhofer strategy. Within the scope of this membership in the management of the institute, you are responsible in particular for Logistics, Transportation and Environment.

In your new task, you competently represent the focal topics in research and teaching as well as in research management towards public research funding and research stakeholders from industry and science as well as politics and society. In close connection with the topics of applied research at the Fraunhofer IML, the university professorship should provide for the appropriate advance of basic findings.

You have obtained a doctorate with above‑average success and have acquired a post‑doctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) or an equivalent qualification. You have demonstrated your research excellence in the field covered by the professorship through continuous international publications in recognised peer‑reviewed venues. You have experience in the management of independently acquired competitively funded third‑party projects, ideally also from industry and in the strategic planning, acquisition and management of relevant large‑volume research or development projects. You are also experienced in leading large and interdisciplinary research groups and possess strong leadership skills combined with a high level of diversity and gender sensitivity. You also have extensive experience of working in industry or collaborating with industrial partners. Additionally, you have the potential for teaching excellence. Social and leadership skills and the willingness to participate in academic self‑administration complete your profile. Moreover, the recruitment requirements in Sections 36 and 37 of the North Rhine‑Westphalia Higher Education Act (Gesetz über die Hochschulen des Landes Nordrhein‑Westfalen, HG) apply.

We offer an excellent academic environment and attractive cooperation opportunities with renowned international, national, and regional partners. The metropolitan Ruhr Area with the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) guarantees short distances to a diversity of partners from science and industry. With our Dual Career Service, we support your partner in finding professional opportunities in the region, if desired. We are happy to provide information about housing and living in Dortmund and help you find childcare options. If you come to us from abroad, our Welcome Service will support you upon your arrival in Germany.

If you are interested in the position, please submit your application by 17.12.2025 via our application portal and in parallel by e‑mail to the President of the Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft, Professor Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka (praesident@fraunhofer.de).

Details on the application process and the preparation of application documents can be found here: berufung.tu-dortmund.de/en/application.

Questions are answered by the Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Dr.-Ing. Moritz Schulze Darup, tel: +49 231/755–5744 or dekanat.mb@tu-dortmund.de and the Head of the appointment management of the Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft, Dr. Patrick Hoyer, patrick.hoyer@zv.fraunhofer.de.

Further information on the Department of Mechanical Engineering can be found at www.mb.tu-dortmund.de/en and on the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML at www.iml.fraunhofer.de/en.