Endowed Professor (W2) of Polymer Engineering

at the faculty of technology

Commencing on 01 March 2027

Reference no.: 2026-36-WUG

Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality Technology and more. At the young, well-established Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, we deal with forward-looking topics in the fields of business, media and technology in research and teaching. The university's students, teaching staff and other employees are always the center of our attention. With 4.100 students in 41 degree programs, we offer excellent opportunities as a modern employer.

The Bavarian Polymer Campus in Weißenburg is a Technology Transfer Centre (TTC) of Ansbach University of Applied Sciences and serves as a center for applied research, technology transfer, and continuing education in polymer engineering. Our research focuses on sustainable plastics engineering, advanced polymer materials, circular economy concepts, innovative manufacturing technologies, and the development of high-performance polymer components in close collaboration with industrial and academic partners.

Your duties include

We are seeking an internationally minded researcher and educator to strengthen our research profile by complementing our existing expertise in functional ("smart") and protective polymer systems with a third, strategically aligned research focus.

Applicants are encouraged to contribute expertise in areas such as:

• Sustainable polymer engineering
• Digital and data-driven polymer processing
• Polymer-based lightweight engineering

Teaching Responsibilities

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in German and English within the field of Polymer Engineering, including subjects such as:

• Polymer Materials
• Polymer Design and Engineering
• Manufacturing and Processing Technologies

Applicants should therefore demonstrate the ability and willingness to teach effectively in both languages. Teaching may take place at the Bavarian Polymer Campus in Weißenburg as well as at the University's main campus in Ansbach and other university locations. To support the development of research and technology transfer activities, the position is expected to include a 50% reduction in the regular teaching load.

Research and Leadership

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop and lead an independent research program
• Build and supervise a research team
• Secure third-party research funding
• Initiate and manage collaborative research projects with industry
• Contribute actively to technology and knowledge transfer
• Supervise Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral research projects
• Participate actively in academic self-governance and interdisciplinary initiatives
• Contribute strategically to the continued development of the University's research profile, particularly in the context of digital transformation.

Practice-oriented teaching should also be delivered in modern digital learning formats where appropriate.

You offer

Desired Research Profile

Applicants should hold expertise in Polymer Engineering or a closely related discipline and demonstrate both substantial industrial and/or applied research experience together with a strong academic background.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly welcome:

• Structure–property relationships in polymer and hybrid material systems
• Polymer component design and manufacturing
• Production engineering and tooling
• Leadership experience
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research interests that would complement the current profile of the Bavarian Polymer Campus include, but are not limited to:

Sustainable Polymer Systems

• Circular economy
• Recycling technologies
• Bio-based polymers
• Resource-efficient manufacturing

Digital Polymer Processing

• Process simulation
• Data-driven quality assurance
• Artificial intelligence in manufacturing
• Digital twins
• Lightweight Engineering
• Polymer lightweight structures
• Fiber-reinforced composites
• Hybrid material systems

Applicants with other innovative and complementary research profiles are also encouraged to apply. A strong commitment to mentoring students and early-career researchers through high-quality teaching and applied research is essential.

We offer

1. If the requirements are met, a permanent appointment with public servant status
2. Services for dual career couples through the Dual Career Netzwerk Nordbayern (dual career network for northern Bavaria)
3. Freedom to research and teach innovative topics
4. Possibility to obtain research and third-party funding for practice-oriented projects and to conduct these projects
5. Good framework conditions for your individual work-life-balance
6. Fostering of talents and potentials with a focus on gender equality and creativity
7. Attractive internal and external further training courses and a wide range of health, preventative and advisory services
8. Modern infrastructure at attractive university locations
9. An open communication culture in which diversity is lived and encouraged

Recruitment pursuant to Article 57 (3) to the BayHIG

• Completed university degree, preferably in the field of Polymer Engineering or a closely related field
• Excellent academic achievements in research and an outstanding doctoral degree or equivalent academic qualification
• Pedagogical aptitude
• Special achievements in the application or development of academic knowledge and methods in a minimum of five years of work experience, which must have been acquired after completion of the university degree and of which at least three years must have been acquired outside the university sector. If, over a period of at least five years, a considerable portion of your work involved a cooperation between a university and a non-academic employer, this time may be considered to meet the requirements for non-academic work experience in special cases (pursuant to Article 57 (3) Sentence 1 No. 3 of the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG)).

We strive to increase the proportion of women as they are underrepresented, particularly in academic positions (Article 7 (3) of the Bavarian equal treatment act (BayGlG)). We are committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach which supports all under-represented groups. Severly disabled applicants are underrepresented and will be given preference in the case of equal qualification, ability and professional achievements. The selection process uses aptitude diagnostics provided by an external HR consultancy. Appointment to the public service can take place for EU citizens who have not yet reached the age of 52; if this condition is not met, you will be employed without public servant status. The professorship is associated with the obligation to offer courses at all locations of the university.

Please submit your application documents including the required supporting documents using our online portal by August 24, 2026 at the latest.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Human Resources: berufung@hs-ansbach.de

For questions related to the subject you can contact the Head of the Appointment Committee, Prof. Dr. Christian Wilisch: christian.wilisch@hs-ansbach.de

More information available at