W2 Professorship in Theoretical Hadron Physics

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 25,000 students and 5,800 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories – your own and those of the university.

The GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH in Darmstadt (GSI) is a leading research institution in the field of heavy ion beam research. The international research facility FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) is currently being built directly adjacent to GSI. FAIR will unlock previously unattained research potential in the coming decades.

In a joint appointment procedure based on a cooperational agreement, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography of JLU and the GSI invite applications for a

W2 Professorship in Theoretical Hadron Physics

as of the earliest possible date. Reference is made to § 67 Para. 5 and 6 Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG) and to the conditions of employment based on § 68 HessHG. Proficient knowledge of German is expected.

The professorship is established as part of the Heisenberg program of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG). A prerequisite for the establishment of the professorship and for the call is that a funding application submitted by the future position holder (m/f/d) to the DFG is accepted for inclusion in the Heisenberg Program.

The appointment is initially made on a temporary basis for a period of three years in a non-tariff employment contract. After a positive evaluation, the professorship will subsequently be transformed into a permanent W2 professorship with the same job description.

You will be appointed as a professor (m/f/d) at JLU and granted leave from this position immediately following the Heisenberg grant according to the so-called Jülich model (leave of absence model) in order to assume management and/or research duties in the "Hadron Physics & QCD" (QCD) department at GSI. For this purpose, GSI will enter into a private-law employment contract with you.

Duties:
Your work will focus on theoretical research in the field of hadron physics, with a particular focus on topics addressed in current and future experiments at GSI/FAIR. You should be able to apply modern theoretical methods (e.g., effective field theories, dynamically coupled channels, and lattice QCD) to calculate QCD observables in the context of scattering experiments.

Willingness to participate in joint research projects of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography is expected, as is willingness to contribute to the faculty-s planned accent area "Smallest Particles".

Joint and coordinated research activities with all theoretical departments at GSI and involvement in international collaborations are expected.

For the duration of the Heisenberg grant, your teaching load at JLU will be eight semester hours per week (SWS) in accordance with the Hessian Teaching Duty Regulation. During your leave of absence at GSI, your teaching commitment at JLU will be up to two SWS. Participation in the JLU's bachelor's and master's degree programs across the entire range of theoretical physics modules offered in the physics teaching unit is expected. A willingness to ensure a gender-sensitive approach to your teaching activities is also expected.

Involvement in the existing graduate structures of JLU and GSI (particularly the Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology (GGN) and the Helmholtz Graduate School for Hadron and Ion Research (HGS-HIRe for FAIR)) is also expected.

Your participation in academic self-administration and involvement in joint activities of the Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography are also expected, as is participation in degree program development and student recruitment measures.

Requirements:
A university degree, an outstanding doctorate, and additional academic achievements (for example proven by a habilitation, by a positively evaluated junior professorship, or by relevant peer-reviewed publications) in the field of theoretical hadron physics are required. Pedagogical aptitude and international cooperation experience are also required.

You also have the ability to develop a productive and externally funded research program and actively participate in existing and planned collaborative research activities. Therefore, information on relevant experience should be included in your application.

You should demonstrate scientific achievements in theoretical hadron physics and success in independently acquiring external funding.

In addition, you should have initial experience in academic teaching as well as in supervising and supporting young researchers at a university. Positive course evaluations as evidence of your excellent teaching skills are desirable.

JLU and GSI welcome 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. JLU and GSI aim 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 November 30^th, 2025, quoting the reference number 7-17/25 and to the Scientific Managing Director of GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH, quoting the reference number 25.120.