Professorship (W3) for Energy Conversion Materials endowed by Carl Zeiss Foundation

Organizational unit

Division III - Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Institute for Applied Materials - Ceramic Materials and Technologies (IAM-KWT), KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Candidates (f/m/d) should have an outstanding scientific qualification in the area of ceramic materials and in the development of functional materials for energy conversion. Moreover, they should be able to adequately impart the corresponding contents to students. This professorship for energy research based on materials sciences is aimed at substantially extending the research portfolio of the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) and the KIT Division III Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Classes of ceramic functional materials studied by the future professor might be (i) ceramic semiconductors and ion conductors, (ii) ferroelectric materials, and (iii) thermoelectric materials. Depending on the class of materials, potential synthesis methods may range from thin-film technology to thick-film technology to bulk material produced by powder metallurgy processes. The professorship is to cover the processing of materials, component level functional and structural properties, as well as the corresponding characterization. Initially, the professor is expected to coordinate the collaboration project “Novel Liquid-Applied Ceramic Solar Cells (KeraSolar)” funded by Carl Zeiss Foundation. As regards academic education, the professor (f/m/d) will be responsible for the education of students in the area of ceramic materials.

Starting date

zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt / as soon as possible

Personal qualification

Candidates (f/m/d) are expected to have acknowledged expertise in material synthesis and process technology as well as in the functional characterization of ceramic materials. The future holder of the post should be experienced in applications relating to the conversion of solar, thermal, chemical, and mechanical energy into electric power. Disciplinary and scientific leadership experience will be indispensable. Social competence and integration capacity will be required as will the willingness and capability to further develop energy research and applied materials science at KIT. Active participation in the Helmholtz program “Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition (MTET),” is expected.

The future holder of the post should be experienced in acquiring and executing research projects and have a network of national and international partners from science and industry. For academic education at KIT, excellent didactic skills and pedagogic qualification will be required. Habilitation or habilitation-equivalent scientific achievements at a non-university institution will be indispensable. Employment conditions as outlined in Article 47 LHG (Act of Baden-Württemberg on Universities and Colleges) in conjunction with Article 20 KITG (KIT Act) in the version applicable until the entry into force of the 2. KIT-Weiterentwicklungsgesetz (2nd KIT Further Development Act) shall apply.