Professorship in Chemistry Education (W2) (f/m/d) - Köln

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Professorship in Chemistry Education (W2) (f/m/d)

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.

YOUR TASKS

The successful candidate will be expected to represent the field of Chemistry Education with distinction in both research and teaching. Their research should focus on a current area of chemistry education, preferably within the field of teaching and learning research, and should complement and strengthen the existing thematic and methodological profile of the Institute of Chemistry Education. Teaching is delivered in German. At the Institute of Chemistry Education, the successful candidate will contribute to disciplinary and subject-specific pedagogical teaching within the teacher education programmes for pre-service chemistry teachers preparing for careers in primary schools, lower secondary schools (Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule, and Gesamtschule), and special needs education (Sonderpädagogische Förderung). In addition, the position includes teaching in subject-specific pedagogy for pre-service chemistry teachers preparing for careers at Gymnasium/Gesamtschule and vocational colleges (Berufskollegs). Alongside high-quality teaching, the role also involves supervising theses and doctoral researchers.

The successful candidate is expected to collaborate actively with colleagues in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and to participate in academic self-governance at all levels of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

YOUR PROFILE

We are seeking an outstanding academic with a strong record of publications in relevant subject-pedagogical and school-related journals in a current area of chemistry education research. The successful candidate will demonstrate the commitment and ability to secure competitive third-party funding and will be committed to supervising doctoral researchers, supporting early-career researchers, and fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research within the Institute of Chemistry Education and the Department of Mathematics and Science Education. The successful candidate will have teaching experience in both school and higher education settings and will be willing to contribute actively to disciplinary and subject-specific pedagogical teaching, particularly within the teacher education programmes for primary schools and special needs education, as well as to the supervision of theses.

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 as of October 1, 2027. Formal requirements are detailed in Section 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Hochschulgesetz – HG NRW). As a rule, the teaching load comprises nine semester hours per week (i.e., two hours per week is one 90-minute course per semester).

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

Please submit your application (without a photo, including curriculum vitae, research and teaching statement, list of publications and courses taught, teaching evaluation results (if available), and certificates of academic examinations and appointments)) via the University of Cologne’s Academic Job Portal (https://professorships.uni-koeln.de) by November 13, 2026. Your application should be addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.