W1 Professorship (with W2 tenure track) in Theoretical Chemistry

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

The Faculty of Biology and Chemistry invites applications for a

W1 Professorship (with W2 tenure track) in Theoretical Chemistry

as of January 1^st, 2027, for a period of six years pursuant to § 70 Para. 3 and 4 Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG). The professorship is funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) as part of its excellence strategy. According to § 70 Para. 3 HessHG, applicants (m/f/d) should have gained a doctoral degree at an institution of higher education other than Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) or have been in academic employment at an institution other than JLU for at least two years after conferral of a doctoral degree. The duration of applicants- scientific activity during and after completion of the doctoral degree should not exceed nine years or the duration of activity after the doctorate should not exceed four years. In the case of successful completion of the six-year W1 position, which is to be assessed in an evaluation procedure pursuant to § 70 Para. 2 HessHG, the appointment will be converted into a permanent W2 professorship. Proficient knowledge of German is expected.

Duties:
The professorship belongs to the Institute of Physical Chemistry, which together with the JLU-s Center for Material Research (ZfM) and the Giessen Center for Electrochemical Materials Research (GC-ElMaR, currently under construction) is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Post Lithium Storage- (POLiS). Your research will focus on basic and ground-breaking topics in a current research field of theoretical chemistry and modelling in one or more fields of materials research, such as energy storage or conversion materials, surface phenomena or nanomaterials. Your research contributes to the success of the POLiS Cluster of Excellence and ties in with the JLU-s focus area “Material and Energy-, and close cooperation within the ZfM and the GC-ElMaR is expected. Outside of the JLU, your research is compatible with the Campus research focus “Material, Molecule and Energy- of the Research Campus of Central Hessen (FCMH).

Your teaching duties will cover the entire field of theoretical chemistry in all undergraduate bachelor-s and master-s degree courses of the faculty involving chemistry and material sciences. Continuous development of course concepts including the use of digital media is expected. Teaching will be in German and English.

The professorship should also promote the ongoing internationalization strategy within both the faculty and JLU, e.g. by helping to establish modules in English and through active contribution to existing and planned joint research projects.

Commitment to graduate education e.g. in the Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology (GGN) will also be expected.

Successful independent acquisition of external funding is expected while employed at JLU as well as a commitment to externally funded joint projects.

Requirements:
We are seeking an internationally recognized researcher who is an acknowledged expert in a current research field in theoretical chemistry with a focus on materials in the context of energy storage and conversion.

In addition to a qualification for scientific work, which is generally demonstrated by an outstanding doctoral degree, appropriate teaching skills for the specified academic duties are required in order to allow the broadest possible representation of the subject in teaching. International networking and teaching skills in English are also required. Teaching responsibilities require language competence in both German and English (German: language level C1, English: language level C1).

Further requirements include a university degree in natural sciences, preferably in the field of theoretical chemistry or a comparable natural science field, an outstanding doctoral degree in a relevant subject, and peer-reviewed publications in the field of theoretical chemistry. Initial experience in the acquisition of external funding is desirable.

Moreover, experience in academic teaching at a scientific university should be demonstrated. Ideally, excellent didactic skills can be documented by positive course evaluations.

In addition, initial experience in academic self-administration is advantageous.

In case the candidate exceeds the basic age limit of 50 years, a civil servant appointment under § 66 Para. 3 sentences 2 and 3 Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG) in conjunction with § 11 Hessian Career Regulation (HLVO) requires a specific functional interest.

The JLU welcomes qualified applications regardless of biological and social gender (m/f/d), disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, age as well as sexual orientation and identity. The JLU aims for a higher proportion of women in accordance with the women's promotion plan. We therefore particularly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. JLU is certified as a family-friendly university. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

We strongly recommend candidates to refer to our fact sheet on application procedures.

Please send your application with the required documents via online form to the President of Justus Liebig University Giessen by January 9^th, 2026, quoting the reference number 8-15/25.

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