Head of the Division of Physics and Mathematics (f/m/nb)

We invite applications for the position of

Head of the Division of Physics and Mathematics (f/m/nb)

as of October 01, 2025.

KIT is organized into five Divisions with 121 institutes. As specified in Article 1 of the KIT Act (KIT-Gesetz), KIT carries out the following tasks:

University and non-university research (among others within presently 11 Helmholtz programs at the corresponding research facilities),
academic education (at eleven KIT Departments), and
transfer.
All 414 appointed professors fulfill their tasks at the institutes. They are affiliated to one of the five Divisions reflecting the scientific disciplines covered by KIT-s work. The Divisions are headed by a Division Head. The full-time Division Heads are elected for a term of five years (with a reelection option). They take care of the scientific and strategic further development of the Division and the strategic distribution of resources.

Division V of KIT:
KIT-s Division V pools research, academic education, and knowledge transfer in the areas of physics and mathematics. The Division comprises

21 institutes of KIT,
the KIT Departments of Physics and Mathematics, and
the coordination of KIT-s activities under the three programs of the Helmholtz Research Field Matter: From Matter to Materials and Life (MML), Matter and Technology (MT), and Matter and the Universe (MU).
What you can expect:
As Head of Division, you will assume a high-profile and actively shaping executive position and will be responsible for the interface between research, academic education, and transfer activities.
You will report directly to the Executive Board.
You will bear responsibility for the staff, budget, and other resources in your Division and you will develop a strategic orientation to reach a top position on the international level.
You will direct and support a highly qualified Division administration team that will assist you in the execution of your diverse and challenging tasks, including the chairing of the Division Council and of appointment commissions.
In close cooperation with the Executive Board, the other Division Heads, KIT Deans, the spokespersons of the Helmholtz programs, and the central service and business units, you will cooperatively shape work at the interfaces within and outside of our organization.
You will represent your Division internally and externally and you will participate in meetings of the Executive Board and work in the relevant bodies of the Helmholtz Association. .
What you offer:
You are a highly committed and scientifically renowned person with several years of management experience at universities or scientific and science-related institutions.
Your completed university studies (Master/diploma), doctorate, and your corresponding scientific achievements make you fulfill the requirements for a professorship or you are able to meet the challenges of your office, as you held a management position for several years in science, the arts, industry, administration, or the administration of justice.
You have an outstanding national and international reputation in one of the areas relevant to Division V and you are willing to extensively familiarize with other relevant scientific topics of Division V.
You have comprehensive expertise regarding the range of scientific funding instruments on the regional, national, and international levels as well as in industry and society and you are experienced in working in the corresponding bodies.
Thanks to your strategy-based and target-oriented working style, your convincing communication skills on all levels, your will power for implementation, your pronounced commitment both inside and outside of the institution, your flexibility, and your capability of arousing enthusiasm, you will contribute largely to the success of KIT.
You use modern target-oriented and participative management policies and you are responsible, agile, confident, team-minded, trustworthy, reliable, and have a good sense of how to adequately represent KIT to various target groups (science, politics, industry, civil society, media, etc.)
You possess organizational skills, an ability to make sound judgements and to provide competent advice, visionary, strategic-conceptual, and analytical thinking, as well as gender and diversity competence. You are experienced in solving problems, acting in a service-oriented way, optimizing processes, and managing projects successfully.
Your full professional proficiency in both German and English completes your profile.
What we offer:
A large scope of action at a unique, highly innovative, and excellent science institution that makes significant contributions to mastering major global challenges facing humankind.
The opportunity to contribute in a team to the solution of the great challenges facing our society.
Competent and highly motivated employees characterized by a high performance and good collaboration.
A responsible position addressing attractive scientific-technical and socially relevant topics of the Division.
An appreciative management, organization, and communication culture.
Attractive working conditions for all employees with their different life plans and practiced equal opportunities and diversity.
Work and life in the Karlsruhe Technology Region - an innovative and internationally minded location with a high quality of life.
Professional and personal further development (internal and external training).
Performance-based payment, pension scheme in the public service sector, additional support services for the staff.
Flexible working times, compatibility of job and family (own childcare centers, dual career services, elder care advice, etc.).
Active onboarding.
How to apply:
In case you are attracted by this responsible task with a wide sphere of influence at a unique science organization, please submit your complete application documents in digital form using the vacancy number 1488/2024 by January 12, 2025 to the Chairperson of the Search Committee and President Professor Dr. Jan S. Hesthaven via bl-findungskommission@sts.kit.edu. Your application should include a letter of interest and your full CV as well as a strategic paper illustrating your 5-year-vision for the division (max. five pages). At KIT, we stand for an open work environment and appreciate the diversity of our staff. Applications by women are encouraged and will be preferred in case of the same qualification. The same will apply to persons with a recognized severe disability.

The current holder of the position will stand for reelection.

For the privacy policy relating to this application procedure, click: https://www.sts.kit.edu/downloads/241206_DSE_BL_V_EN.pdf

Find more information on KIT at: www.kit.edu/english/

KIT - The Research University in the Helmholtz Association