We are a young, innovative university located in the heart of the Ruhr metropolis. We pride ourselves on outstanding research and teaching, think in terms of opportunities rather than limitations and develop ideas with a view to the future. Diversity is an integral part of our culture as we promote potential and are committed to upholding genuine equity in education.
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Duisburg-Essen is looking to fill the following position:
University Professor in Data Science in Mechanical Engineering
Salary band W2 with tenure track to W3 (as defined in the North Rhine-Westphalian regulations for the W salary range (Landesbesoldungsordnung W; LBesO W))
The professorship is to be filled starting as soon as possible.
We are seeking a distinguished individual in the field of data science in engineering. The application focus is on the development of data-based methods for automation technology, autonomous systems and mechatronics.
The future research focus areas of this professorship will include aspects of
- the automation of vehicles, transportation systems and production facilities
- the modelling and control of complex mechanical systems
- the development of data-driven assistance systems
- diagnostics and prognostics for monitoring technical systems
The successful candidate is expected to have independent academic expertise in several of the following research areas:
- the application of artificial intelligence methods for the model-based description and technological optimisation of complex systems (e.g. vehicle and transportation technology, production systems)
- data engineering, modelling and simulation, e.g. for control, monitoring and autonomous process management in mechanical engineering or process engineering
- applied deep learning or reinforcement learning, e.g. in the perception technology of autonomous systems, damage diagnosis or predictive maintenance
Leadership experience in research and/or development is desirable. Experience in industrial research or in relevant cooperations with industry focussing on the technological implementation of research results is required. In research, the willingness to network and collaborate with others is expected in order to complement and expand the existing competencies in the Faculty of Engineering. This includes initiating, acquiring and conducting externally-funded collaborative projects through joint applications with partners in the Faculty of Engineering and beyond. In this context, cooperation with the other chairs of the Institute for Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems as well as with Technical Logistics and Mobility is of particular importance. This professorship also integrates ongoing research in robotics. The ability to conduct collaborative research on an international level is required.
This professorship is involved in several major research instrumentation units, such as the Test and Management Centre for Autonomous Inland Waterway Vessels (VeLABi) and the Test Centre for Innovative Port and Cargo-handling Technologies (HaFoLa), with equipment including various simulators for vehicle driving and assistance systems at its disposal. The continuation of these activities is expected in the context of the professorship.
The successful candidate will develop and teach classes in model and data-based methods in autonomous systems, the fundamentals of autonomous vehicle systems as well as the professorship’s research focus areas in the bachelor’s and master’s programmes offered by the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering in both German and English. Traditional and data-based modelling methods are also to be taught.
The future holder of the professorship is also to play an integral role in the expansion of the programme offerings in autonomous systems. Furthermore, the willingness to didactically utilise and integrate virtual and AI-based teaching and learning methods in a suitable manner is desirable.
We expect the successful candidate to have published papers in leading peer-reviewed venues and have experience in conducting projects for which they have acquired external funding from competitive schemes themself, preferably projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) or equivalent, as appropriate to the advertised position.
The University of Duisburg-Essen places particular emphasis on teaching quality. Therefore, candidates must outline their didactic approach, also taking the profile of the University of Duisburg-Essen into consideration.
Criteria for appointment are based on Section 36 of the North Rhine-Westphalian Higher Education Act (Hochschulgesetz NRW; HG).
We offer you
The University of Duisburg-Essen aims to promote the diversity of its members (https://www.uni-due.de/diversity/en/). It strives to increase the proportion of women in its academic staff and therefore strongly encourages women with relevant qualifications to apply. If two candidates are equally qualified, women will be given preference as stipulated in the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz; LGG NRW). Applications from qualified candidates with disabilities or equivalent status as defined in Section 2 (3) of Book IX of the German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch; SGB IX) are encouraged.
Contact
Applications should include the usual documents (CV including information on both your academic and professional experience; a list of academic publications; copies of relevant certificates; a description of your research profile and the resulting perspectives for the University of Duisburg-Essen; a teaching and learning concept that takes the University of Duisburg-Essen’s profile into account; information on your teaching activities, your involvement in academic self-governance and external funds that you have obtained to date). Please submit your application to the address below by 13 August 2026:
Faculty of Engineering
dekanat.iw@uni-due.de
Please find further information on the position and its affiliations within the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Faculty of Engineering at: https://www.uni-due.de/iw/en/jobs.php
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