W1, W2, W3 Professorships in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

The University of Bonn is an international research university with a wide education and research profile. With a 200-year history, approximately 31,500 students, more than 6,000 staff, and an excellent reputation at home and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and is recognized as a University of Excellence.

In a push to extend their strong and strategic partnership in Artificial Intelligence with a view towards innovation and transfer, University of Bonn and the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS are now inviting applications for up to four newly endowed

W1, W2, W3 Professorships in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
(“Innovation Professorships”, Open Track)

to be part of the

Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

of which both University of Bonn and Fraunhofer IAIS are a part. The Lamarr Institute is pemanently funded as part of Germany’s AI excellence strategy and these professorships are part of its growth.

Applicants are expected to have demonstrated potential and achievements in research, innovation and transfer commensurate with their stage of career, in relevant subfields of Artificial Intelligence with a strong focus on Machine Learning, if possible related to the major research areas of the Lamarr Institute:

• Resource-Aware ML: Optimize algorithms for available resources and new architectures
• Trustworthy AI: Make AI ethical, reliable, understandable, and certifiable
• Hybrid ML: Combine data and knowledge in ML algorithms
• Human-Centered Systems: Exploit human interaction contexts when learning from data
• Embodied AI: Build ML algorithms that work in physical and autonomous systems

Depending on individual career stage, professorships will be appointed either in the W1 (assistant professor), W2 (associate professor) or W3 (full professor) category. Positions are for an initial period of five years, with W1 professorships being limited to three years and will be extended for three more years after a positive intermediate evaluation, with possibility of a permanent position afterwards. In exceptional cases, a position may be tenured immediately. The central tenure track regulations of the University of Bonn and further information on the tenure track at the University of Bonn can be found at: https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/universitaet/arbeiten-an-der-uni/arbeiten-in-der-wissenschaft/professuren-und-juniorprofessuren/berufungen/tenure-track.de

The successful applicants will be appointed by University of Bonn and officially seconded to Fraunhofer IAIS, with full or assistant professorship status, but a teaching load of two hours per semester-week or four hours per semester-week for a W1-assistant professor. They are expected to represent the area in research and teaching, with a particular focus on research that leads to innovation in industry. In addition to their professorship, qualified candidates will be given the option to take on further responsibility at Fraunhofer IAIS, from leadership of an innovation group up to becoming head of a department.
Experience with and interest in industrial cooperation and the acquisition of other third-party funds is very welcome, as is willingness to educate the next generation of engineers and scientists and teach in the English and German language computer science programs of University of Bonn. Close cooperation with our partner institutions, especially in the Lamarr Institute, is part of our common mission.

The recruitment requirements are based on § 36 HG NRW.

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore strongly encourages women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome. Applications received by 30.09.2025 are guaranteed to be considered. The appointment committee reserves the right to also consider applications received after this date. Please apply with the usual documents (letter of motivation, including your targeted position category: W1, W2, or W3, publication list, selected publications, research and innovation plan, teaching concept, copies of degree certificates via our online portal:
https://berufungsportal.uni-bonn.de.
For further information on the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Stefan Wrobel (wrobel@cs.uni-bonn.de), Director of Fraunhofer IAIS and Bonn Director of the Lamarr Institute.

Criteria for W1, W2, W3 Professorships
Criteria for a W1 Professorship (Junior Professorship) Very important:

• Fit: Fit with the advertised topic of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with meaningful integration into the research areas of Bonn Informatics, Fraunhofer IAIS and the Lamarr Institute, preferably with reference to at least one of the five main research areas of the Lamarr Institute mentioned in the advertisement.
• Scientific quality & research concept: A very good doctorate as well as initial high-quality publications or subject-related achievements in practice within the meaning of §36(3) HG. An innovative and promising research concept that demonstrates an independent academic profile.
• Contributions to transfer: Recognizable potential and interest in the technological innovation and transfer process; initial ideas or experience in contract research for industry are an advantage.
• Teaching: Ability to teach at university level in the English- and German-language computer science degree programs.
• Acquisition of third-party funding: Proven potential for acquiring third-party funding, e.g., through involvement in applications or initial smaller grants or contracts.

Important:

• Cooperation: High willingness to cooperate internally (University of Bonn, Lamarr Institute) and externally with relevant stakeholders and networks.
• Institute development: Ability and willingness to position the Lamarr Institute, Bonn Informatics and IAIS in the broader societal and business context and to take responsibility for the strategic goals of the institute.
• Leadership: Ability to supervise students and doctoral candidates.
• Gender & Diversity: Gender and diversity awareness.

Criteria for a W2 Professorship Very important:

• Fit: Fit with the advertised topic of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with meaningful integration into the research areas of Bonn Informatics, Fraunhofer IAIS and the Lamarr Institute, preferably with reference to at least one of the five main research areas of the Lamarr Institute mentioned in the advertisement.
• Scientific quality & research concept: Habilitation or habilitation-equivalent achievements, demonstrated by internationally visible, high-ranking publications or significant subject-related achievements in practice within the meaning of §36(3) HG. An established and promising research program.
• Contributions to transfer: Proven success in the technological innovation and transfer process as well as experience in contract research for or within industry.
• Teaching: Ability to teach in the English- and German-language computer science degree programs at the University of Bonn.
• Acquisition of third-party funding: Ability to acquire, manage and implement research projects in funded programs and commissioned projects from industry.

Important:

• Cooperation: Ability and willingness to cooperate internally (University of Bonn, Lamarr Institute) and externally with partner institutions and nationally and internationally relevant actors and networks.
• Institute development: Ability and willingness to position the Lamarr Institute, Bonn Informatics and IAIS in the broader societal and business context and to take responsibility for the strategic goals of the institute.
• Leadership: Proven experience in leading projects and/or staff (e.g., leading your own research group).
• Gender & Diversity: Gender and diversity awareness.

Criteria for a W3 Professorship Very important:

• Fit: An excellent, internationally leading research profile in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with the ability to shape and strategically develop one of the Lamarr Institute's main research areas.
• Scientific quality & research concept: Habilitation or habilitation-equivalent achievements, demonstrated by internationally visible, high-ranking publications or outstanding subject-related achievements in practice within the meaning of §36(3) HG. An established and visionary research program with high strategic relevance. Outstanding, internationally pioneering research achievements, documented by excellent evidence in the form of specialist articles, patents or other suitable publications in leading outlets.
• Contributions to transfer: Proven success in the technological innovation and transfer process as well as extensive experience in contract research for or within industry, ideally also in a leadership role.
• Teaching: Outstanding didactic skills, demonstrated by teaching experience in the university or non-university sector, proven success in promoting young scientists and engineers, and conceptual skills in designing corresponding programs.
• Acquisition of third-party funding: Many years of outstanding success in the acquisition, management and implementation of research projects in funded programs or contract projects with or within industry, ideally also in the coordination of collaborative projects.

Important:

• Cooperation: Proven special aptitude and willingness to cooperate internally (University of Bonn, Lamarr Institute) as well as externally with partner institutions and nationally and internationally relevant actors and networks.
• Institute development: Proven ability and willingness to position the Lamarr Institute, Bonn Informatics and IAIS in the broader societal and business context and to assume responsibility for the strategic goals of the institute.
• Leadership: Comprehensive and proven experience in managing larger organizational units and in strategic personnel development.
• Gender & Diversity: Gender and diversity awareness.