W2-Professorship Automation Engineering (m/f/d)

Kennziffer: AING 2026/18

Your Profile

With this professorship, Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences aims to integrate automation technology with the application fields of production, energy systems, and building technology. We are seeking an institutionally recognized individual with industry experience to represent the field in teaching and applied research, and to drive the digital transformation of technical systems.

We are looking for a candidate with a university degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or a related field. You must demonstrate an exceptional capacity for scientific work, proven by a high-quality PhD in one of the aforementioned areas. You possess at least five years of professional experience, preferably post-doctoral, including three years outside the higher education sector. You have worked in an industry-related environment within the field of automation technology, covering at least one of the application areas: production engineering, process engineering, building automation, or energy technology.

Furthermore, you bring relevant practical experience - from research, development, and/or application - in several of the following areas related to automation technology:

• Digital Twin
• Systems Engineering
• AI in Automation Technology – e.g., computer vision, predictive maintenance, intelligent drive systems
• Networked and Distributed Systems
• Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, and Resilience in automation and/or critical infrastructures
• Human-Machine Collaboration – e.g., intuitive operating concepts for commissioning and maintenance

Desirable qualifications include:

• Publications as first or senior author
• Experience in acquiring and managing research and development projects

Your Responsibilities

The subject areas are to be represented in both teaching and applied research. Excellent didactic skills and a high level of commitment to teaching are taken for granted, as is the willingness to participate in exchanges with our international partner universities and to offer courses in both German and English. Furthermore, we expect active participation in teaching foundational subjects, advanced courses, and specialized lectures on current research topics, as well as, if applicable, lectures in related subject areas and part-time continuing education programs.

In addition, you will take on:

• the development of an independent research profile and integration into the university's existing research focus areas, as well as conducting application-oriented research in cooperation with partners from science and industry
• active participation in doctoral projects and the promotion of early-career researchers
• the utilization and further development of the laboratory infrastructure in teaching and research
• committed collaboration in university committees as well as participation in the establishment, expansion, and further development of degree programs

We expect the candidate to integrate well into the existing team both professionally and personally, to be active in the academic self-governance of our university, and to enjoy imparting knowledge from their own professional experience to students.

Teaching and Research Environment

Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences offers an innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and research environment. Particularly in the field of applied engineering, the department's new laboratory building provides an excellently equipped infrastructure. In addition to the laboratory for automation technology, there are points of connection to fields such as drive technology, power electronics, embedded systems, robotics, materials testing, and the Smart Energy Lab.

The university maintains a large number of collaborations with universities, research institutions - such as Max Planck and Fraunhofer Institutes - and companies, the intensification and expansion of which is desired. In this context, we aim to increase third-party funding acquisition and raise the number of (cooperative) doctoral degrees.

We expect strong teamwork and cooperation skills, as well as pedagogical strength for high-quality, practical, and target-audience-oriented teaching. You plan courses based on learning objectives, utilize various assessment and feedback formats, and continuously develop your teaching methods.

Furthermore, we require personal initiative, a professional approach to feedback, a high level of presence on campus, and fluency in both German and English.

The hiring requirements for professors are regulated in Section 49 of the Higher Education Act (Hochschulgesetz) of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. An appointment to the advertised position is only possible if the hiring requirements according to § 49, Section 1, No. 4, Letter b (HochSchG) are fulfilled.

We explicitly welcome applications from all age groups, regardless of gender identity, disability, ethnic background, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation or identity.

For questions regarding the content of the position, please contact the chair of the search committee, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Schütz (steffen.schuetz@hs-kl.de).

What We Offer

The position is to be filled as of March 1, 2027, at the Kaiserslautern campus of the Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences in the Department of Applied Engineering. Full-time positions are generally divisible into part-time roles, provided that official interests do not conflict.

Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences is a research-strong university of applied sciences in the fields of computer science, technology, business, design, and health. We educate approximately 5,200 students in over 70 degree programs and continuing education options across three campuses in Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, and Zweibrücken. Currently, there are four core research areas.

At our university of applied sciences and design, which features a distinct profile in applied research and development as well as academic continuing education, you can expect an innovative working environment and versatile professional development opportunities within our personnel development framework. Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences supports the compatibility of family and career, for example through flexible working hour arrangements.
In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz), Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences aims to further increase the proportion of women, particularly in research and teaching. We therefore strongly encourage women to apply.

Severely disabled individuals will be given preferential consideration in the case of equal suitability (please attach proof). Should applicants feel disadvantaged or treated unequally, clarification can be sought by filing a complaint with the AGG Complaint Office (Legal Department).

Your Application

We look forward to receiving your application with comprehensive documentation, including the completed applicant profile (https://www.hs-kl.de/hochschule/aktuelles/stellenangebote), which you can submit via our online application portal by 27.09.2026.

Please submit the following documents in full via our online application portal:

• Cover letter / Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
• Tabular curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
• Certificates and transcripts
• List of relevant publications
• If applicable, list of third-party funding
• Independent research and teaching concept in German (max. 1 page each), demonstrating alignment with the department and the university
• Overview of previously conducted courses and, if available, teaching evaluations

THE PRESIDENT