Open-Topic 'Leibniz New Horizon Fellows' Professorships

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover

Leibniz University Hannover pursues a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and international approach to develop and strengthen outstanding research. More than 360 professors, and over 2,600 research staff members, investigate questions throughout the natural sciences, engineering, the humanities and the social sciences, in the process laying foundations for tackling today's societal challenges. By pooling outstanding individual achievements across the disciplines, we are able to make our excellent research visible. With this expansive approach in mind, Leibniz University is looking to appoint up to six

Open-Topic ‘Leibniz New Horizon Fellows’ Professorships

These positions are tenure-track appointments, starting at W2 (associate professorship), for a period of five years. Following a positive tenure evaluation, a permanent position at W3 level (full professorship) will be offered. In exceptional cases a position may be tenured immediately.

Leibniz University Hannover actively supports diversity and equal opportunity. Leibniz University has been certified as a family-friendly institution and offers a dual career-service. Its aim is to increase the proportion of women in fields in which women are underrepresented and to place a special focus on promoting their careers. Therefore, the university especially encourages applications from suitably qualified women.

The Programme

The Open-Topic Professorship programme ‘Leibniz New Horizon Fellows’ aims to attract the most innovative young researchers from around the world. The selection process will follow a genuinely open-topic ethos: we seek candidates, whose expertise complements the broad spectrum of research at Leibniz University including the natural sciences, engineering, the humanities and the social sciences. The main criteria in the selection process are the applicants' excellence in their respective fields, and the innovative ideas that they aim to develop at Leibniz University! The programme is intended to promote also the dialogue on the interface between science and society.

What we can offer you

LUH offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community combined with an exceptional standard of living in a modern city surrounded by nature. 

In addition, LUH provides numerous opportunities for further education and training as well as many services to support families. The Dual Career Service at LUH is aimed at the partners of newly-appointed professors and provides support with career perspectives in Hannover and the surrounding region. As a central point of contact for international researchers, the Welcome Centre provides information, service and help on non-academic queries for you and your family concerning your stay in Hannover (e.g. official administrative procedures).

Leibniz University Hannover promotes equal opportunities, diversity and a balance between work and family life (Equal Opportunities Office). For this reason, female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Furthermore, we welcome applications from international researchers. Preference will be given to equally-qualified applicants with disabilities (Representative for employees with disabilities). Upon request, part-time employment is possible.

Further information

Candidates aged 50 or over at the intended time of appointment who do not already have civil servant status in Germany will be employed as regular members of staff.

General duties and employment requirements are specified in § 25 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG). For detailed information on employment requirements, please contact the Department of Appointment Matters: https://www.uni-hannover.de/de/universitaet/organisation/praesidialstab-stabsstellen/berufungsangelegenheiten

For further information, please contact Vice President for Human Resources Development Prof. Dr. Joachim Escher (phone: +49 511 762-3251 or email: vpb@uni-hannover.de).

Please submit your documents (e.g. application letter, cv, list of publication, certificates) until December 18, 2025 exclusively via the appointment portal of Leibniz University Hannover at:

https://berufungen.uni-hannover.de

Information on the collection of personal data according to article 13 GDPR can be found at https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/datenschutzhinweis-bewerbungen/.