(Assistant) Professorship in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics (W2 / W1 with tenure track to W2) (f/m/x) - Köln

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

(Assistant) Professorship in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics (W2 / W1 with tenure track to W2) (f/m/x)

The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Germany. With its six Faculties covering a broad spectrum of disciplines and its internationally outstanding research profile areas, it enjoys an excellent reputation for its academic achievements and high standards of undergraduate and graduate education.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences comprises six departments with about 200 professors and >10,000 students and is one of the largest faculties in the country. The Collaborative Research Centre “Control and Dynamics of Quantum Materials“ (CRC 1238) is a joint project of the Universities of Cologne and Bonn and the Research Centre Jülich.

YOUR TASKS

The candidate will work experimentally in the field of quantum materials, strategically expanding the research area of experimental condensed matter physics at the Institute of Physics II of the University of Cologne. She*he will actively participate in teaching in the field of experimental physics, especially in the area of condensed matter physics, and is expected to contribute to the academic self-administration.

OUR OFFER

The University of Cologne provides a stimulating academic environment with a wide range of career development opportunities as well as support services for dual career couples and family-friendly working conditions.

The position is available at the earliest possible date. Formal requirements are detailed in Section 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Hochschulgesetz – HG NRW).

The position is to be filled either at W2 level, or at W1 level with tenure track to W2, depending on the qualifications of the candidate. For the W1 professorship, in the third year after entering into office, an aptitude evaluation is held. This serves as the basis for the decision as to whether an extension for a further three years will be granted to the candidate. At the latest, a tenure evaluation is held in the sixth year after entering into office. On this basis, a decision will be reached as to whether the candidate will be given tenure at W2 level. Both evaluations are carried out according to the Regulations on Quality Assurance in Tenure Track Procedures and Other Evaluation Procedures for Temporary (Junior) Professorships at the University of Cologne. W1 professorships comprise a teaching load of four hours per week (i.e., two hours per week is one 90-minute course per semester) in the first qualification phase and five hours per week in the second qualification phase. As a rule, W2 professorships comprise a teaching load of nine semester hours per week.

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.

Please submit your application (without a photo) via the University of Cologne’s Academic Job Portal: (https://professorships.uni-koeln.de) by January 3, 2026. Your application (in English) should be addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Applicants should send a full CV (including lists of publications, third-party funding and teaching experience), proofs of qualification, a summary of past achievements with a commented list of up to five publications, a research plan, and teaching concept.