Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg (BTU) brings together top-level research and transfer at an international level, thus creating an interdisciplinary innovation network as well as an excellent location for science and technology. Together with its renowned partners, BTU forms the Lausitz Science Network – an alliance of research institutions that jointly aim to further develop the strengths of the Cottbus–Senftenberg science location and increase its visibility. Through innovative research and new teaching and learning formats, BTU shapes the future: It contributes with scientific knowledge and practice-relevant solutions to addressing major future challenges and transformation processes. In four profile lines – “Energy Transition and Decarbonization,” “Health and Life Sciences,” “Global Change and Transformation Processes,” and “Artificial Intelligence and Sensor Technology” – it consolidates its strengths in teaching and research across institutes and faculties.
BTU guarantees its students a demanding education, individual support, and the opportunity to learn with and from each other with curiosity and openness at its campuses in Cottbus and Senftenberg. BTU stands for an inspiring atmosphere of learning and research in a dialogical, democratic community: The diversity of our faculty and students enables innovation and progress.

At the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Energy Systems, the following position is to be filled as of 1st April 2027:

PROFESSORSHIP (W3) Technical Thermodynamics

Tasks

The professorship is assigned to the Institute of Transport Technology, which focuses its research and teaching on structural and fluid mechanical design issues, including optimization for applications in aerospace and automotive engineering. The institute cooperates closely with the BTU Institute for Electrical and Thermal Energy Systems. Both institutes are involved in the large-scale projects “Energy Innovation Center EIZ” and “Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus – chesco”. There is also close cooperation with the two Cottbus-based DLR Institutes for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion and CO2-Reduced Industrial Processes. Furthermore, BTU has been a University Technology Center (UTC) in the Rolls-Royce research network for over 20 years. In this environment, the thermodynamics of thermal and electrochemical energy converters is studied in full breadth and depth.

BTU aims to become a leading research institution in the field of thermal and electrochemical energy converters. We are looking for a candidate with proven scientific expertise in one or more of the following topics in mobile propulsion systems:

• Research and further development of fuel cell systems with regard to reliability, performance, efficiency, and weight (lightweight design)
• Modeling and experimental validation of thermochemical processes
• Modeling and experimental validation of thermodynamic cycles including their control and regulation

We are looking for:

A nationally and internationally recognized personality with experience in the field of technical thermodynamics, demonstrated by relevant publications in recognized journals (Q1). The professorship is expected to represent the above-mentioned areas in research and teaching in the Energy Engineering and Energy Economics program, in Mechanical Engineering, in the international Master’s program “Hybrid-electric Propulsion Technology,” and, if applicable, in other BTU programs.

Teaching tasks in the Bachelor’s programs include the fundamentals of thermodynamics and thermodynamic cycles as well as electrochemistry; in the Master’s programs, fuel cells and fuel cell systems as well as further system-related lectures in German and English are expected. If sufficient language skills are not yet available, willingness to acquire the relevant language soon is required. In addition to research and teaching, we expect commitment to institute and faculty management as well as to university and extra-university committees.

Profile

As a future professor, you must fulfill the following requirements according to § 43 para. 1 no. 1 to 4a of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (BbgHG):

• a completed university degree in mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or an equivalent qualification,
• pedagogical aptitude,
• special aptitude for scientific work, usually demonstrated by the quality of a doctorate, and
• a habilitation or additional scientific achievements as an equivalent.

In addition, you have experience in acquiring third-party funding and in carrying out third-party projects, with experience in DFG or EU projects being particularly desirable.

Your university teaching experience enables you to deliver excellent teaching in the subject area to be filled. You are able to teach at all curricular levels from Bachelor’s to Doctorate, supervise theses, and support young researchers. Your knowledge and experience also enable you to contribute to academic self-administration and to the profiling of the faculty.

We offer

• fair and transparent appointment negotiations,
• attractive working conditions in a city with high quality of life and close proximity to Berlin, Dresden, and Leipzig,
• a dynamically developing research location,
• support with relocation to the vicinity of your place of work,
• comprehensive advice in the Dual Career Service and in the area of family orientation, and
• attractive remuneration with a negotiable performance-related component.

Further tasks arise from § 44 BbgHG in conjunction with § 3 BbgHG.

The requirements and conditions of employment are set out in §§ 43 para. 1–4a and 45 BbgHG.

BTU is committed to equal opportunities and diversity and strives for a balanced gender ratio in all employee groups and gives preference to applicants with severe disabilities or those with equivalent status in cases of equal suitability.

Information on appointment management including the legal basis as well as the status of ongoing appointment procedures can be found at:

Your application, including proof of qualifications, a tabular overview of your professional career, a list of publications naming the five most important, proof of pedagogical aptitude, as well as a research and teaching concept for the advertised professorship, should be sent by e-mail in a single PDF file (max. 7 MB), mentioning the Reference-No: 180/25 by 06.02.2026 to:

E-Mail:

Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Energy Systems
Postal address: BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, P.O. Box 101344, 03013 Cottbus, Germany

Please be aware of the risks concerning confidentiality and integrity of your application contents when submitting your application by unencrypted e-mail and also take note of the data protection information on the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg website.

For further information, Prof. Lars Röntzsch will be happy to assist you (Phone: +49 (0)355 / 69-4501, e-mail: ).

The BTU carries the seal of quality of The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (Deutscher Hochschulverband, in short DHV). She is thus honored for her fair and transparent negotiations on the appointment of new professors.