The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Technical University of Darmstadt is seeking to fill a position as
University Professorship
Human Centered Systems Engineering (W3)
(Code No. T13-2024)
About TU Darmstadt
TU Darmstadt stands for excellent and relevant science. We are playing a decisive role in
shaping the far-reaching processes of global change—from the energy transition to artificial
intelligence—through outstanding scientific knowledge and innovative academic programmes.
We group our cutting-edge research into three fields: Energy and Environment, Information and
Intelligence, Matter and Materials. We are a university with strong ties to the Frankfurt Rhine-
Main metropolitan region and a very strong international focus. We are committed to European
values and European integration.
Context within Department of Mechanical Engineering
Digitalization will change the requirements for work systems and processes as well as human
machine interaction. Significant changes are currently resulting from the broad application of new
technologies in the context of automation and artificial intelligence. These require an increasing
interlocking of virtual and physical, networking product-service systems, a flexibilization of
working conditions, and a stronger focus on cooperative human-technology interactions.
The increasing digitization of in the work space underlines the relevance of human-related
research. This human-related research focuses on the consideration of humans as users of
products and as a work force in interaction with technology and organization. Research
inoccupational science in this regard includes the analysis, evaluation and design of
sociotechnical systems as well as the consideration of the human-centered design process.
Thus, the interests of both internal and external stakeholders of a company are taken into
account. The aim is to design sustainable, value-adding and socially sustainable work systems
and products in and with companies, in which and with which people work productively, safely,
healthily and contentedly.
Tasks
An overarching research focus of the professorship is the design of the digital transformation of
working environments through new impulses in the area of human-centered development of AI
applications. The cooperation of classical engineering sciences with computer science in
particular through applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and especially on the explainability of
AI shall be strengthened. Aspects of regulation and standardization with regard to the application
of AI are to be addressed at national as well as European level.
Research in the areas of organization and new forms of work may include the topics of
organizational structures and processes, organizational and safety cultures, competencies,
leadership, and resilience management. With regard to predominantly physical forms of work, a
focus is on work assessment through the use of validated, predominantly digital occupational
science methods, and on the design of work systems along the product development process
with strong incorporation of simulation and human modeling techniques is desired. The topics of
human-technology interaction include human-centered design under the aspects of ergonomics,
usability and acceptance. Furthermore, the cooperation with (partially) automated systems as
well as assistance systems will be researched.
The professorship "Human Centered Systems Engineering" pursues the goal to shape the
transformations in mechanical engineering towards an increasing degree of digitalization and to
represent them in research and teaching. The professorship promotes the attractiveness of
mechanical engineering for students and shapes mechanical engineering by further developing
the content of work sciences in more digitalized work contexts.
The candidate is expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to national and international
collaborative research and to initiate and participate in interdisciplinary projects with other
departments and research groups.
Your profile
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in engineering or natural sciences with suitable
pedagogical qualifications as well as the willingness to participate in academic selfadministration.
As part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region, Technical University of Darmstadt and
its surroundings are characterized by living internationality. The core element of this is a
cosmopolitan climate with functional multilingualism at our university. Therefore, very good
English and, at the latest after three years, good German language skills are expected.
Regulations for employment for W3 professorships are specified under §§ 67 and 68 HessHG
(Hessian Higher Education Act). Such a professorship is tenured with a remuneration package
commensurate with experience and qualifications, following the German "W-Besoldung" and
subject to negotiations between the applicant and the university directorate. A comparable
employment relationship is possible.
We offer
Technical University of Darmstadt offers varied and challenging assignments, freedom to work
independently, the latest technologies, good collaboration between colleagues in partnership,
needs-based training opportunities and customised personnel development.
- Development and organisation – comprehensive in-house training offers, including the opportunity for continuing education and development;
- Sustainable and mobile – eligibility to free public transport in the state of Hesse with the LandesTicket Hessen (Hesse StateTicket), in addition to opportunities to working mobile at times;
- Fit and healthy – free of charge preventive medical check-ups and a wide-ranging subsidised sports programme
- Work-life balance – flexible working time models, plus BGM (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement – University Health Management);
- Family-friendliness and career – Technical University of Darmstadt is certified as a familyfriendly university and offers a dual career program.
General information, data privacy
TU Darmstadt intends to increase the number of female employees and encourages female
candidates to apply. In case of equal qualifications, applicants with a degree of disability of at
least 50 or equal will be given preference.
By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed for the
purpose of filling the vacancy. You can find our privacy policy (https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/
datenschutzerklaerung.en.jsp) on our webpage.
Contact
If you have any questions about this position, please contact
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Metternich via
j.metternich@ptw.tu-darmstadt.de
Application deadline: April 30/2024
Find our application form with the QR-Codes or with the code no. on
www.tu-darmstadt.de/stellenangebote