Professorship (W3) in Applied High Energy Density Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

W3 Professorship in Applied High Energy Density Physics

At the University of Rostock, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, in a joint appointment procedure with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, invites applications for the position of W3 Professorship in Applied High Energy Density Physics combined with the position of Head of the Department of Applied High Energy Density Physics and member of the directorate of the Institute of High Energy Density Physics at HZDR to be filled at the earliest possible date. The future holder of the position (all genders welcome) will be appointed as a university professor with a reduced teaching load of 2 semester hours per week (SWS) at the University of Rostock. At the same time, he or she will contribute to the establishment of the HZDR Institute for High Energy Density Physics (HEDI) in Rostock and will lead the Department of Applied High Energy Density Physics.

The HZDR is a research institution with approximately 1,500 employees and a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. It conducts long-term cutting-edge research in the fields of energy, health, and matter. Fundamental phenomena in nature are investigated using unique research infrastructures, providing insight into processes under extreme conditions. HEDI is a joint initiative of HZDR and the University of Rostock dedicated to the investigation of matter at extremely high temperatures and pressures, with foreseeable applications in astrophysics, materials science, and fusion research. As part of HEDI, a new research building will be constructed and operated on the campus of the University of Rostock.

Founded in 1419, the University of Rostock offers teaching and research across a broad spectrum of disciplines within nine faculties. In 2007, an Interdisciplinary Faculty (INF) was established. The professorship in High Energy Density Physics is assigned to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNF). The appointment will be associated with the Institute of Physics, whose research focuses include photonics, physics of nanostructures and nanostructured materials, atoms, molecules, clusters and plasmas, and atmospheric physics and physical oceanography. Close cooperation with the institute’s research groups and the MNF, participation in collaborative research projects, and engagement within the INF are expected. Further information on the MNF and the INF can be found at www.mathnat.uni-rostock.de and www.inf.uni-rostock.de.

Requirements and Profile

For the establishment of the new HZDR Institute HEDI in Rostock, an internationally recognized scientist is sought who covers a broad range of topics in Applied High Energy Density Physics. The successful candidate should be capable of further developing the thematic priorities of HEDI – planetary and astrophysics, laser fusion, and materials physics – both scientifically and strategically, and of representing these topics nationally and internationally. In particular, research on laser fusion as a potential energy source within the framework of the German High-Tech Agenda is to be advanced in a leading role, making use of major research infrastructures such as the European XFEL.

Applicants are also expected to have experience in the acquisition and management of large third-party funded projects and to demonstrate a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation with partners from academia and industry, particularly within the “Fusion 2040” funding program of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The ability to lead a research institute is a prerequisite. Strong leadership and diversity skills, in particular your management experience and your ability to strategically develop interdisciplinary teams, round off your profile.

Teaching

The holder of the position will participate in teaching within the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Rostock, with a teaching load of two semester hours per week. This includes in particular courses that strengthen education in the field of High Energy Density Physics, as well as contributions to foundational undergraduate teaching.

Contact

Universität Rostock
S42 – Berufungsangelegenheiten

For further inquiries, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Lochbrunner, Chair of the Search Committee
E-Mail: [email protected]

Prof. Dr. Dominik Kraus
Phone: +49 381 498 6930
mail: [email protected]

Employment Conditions

The employment requirements for professors are determined by §58 (1 and 2) of the State Higher Education Act (LHG M-V). According to this, appointment requires a completed university degree, a doctorate, teaching experience (§ 58 Paragraph (1) LHG M-V), and additional academic achievements, which must generally be demonstrated within the framework of a junior professorship or a habilitation; otherwise, equivalent academic achievements (§ 58 (2) LHG M-V) are required for employment.

In accordance with § 61(3) of the Higher Education Act of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (LHG M-V), the professorship will generally be filled as a livetime civil service position or, if applicable, as a fixed-term civil service position for 5 years. It is also possible to fill the position under an emplayment contract. To this end, the position holder will be granted a leave of absence from the University of Rostock to HEDI without pay (“Jülich Model”).

Both institutions are committed to their respective leadership principles.

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The advertisement is therefore addressed to all persons regardless of their gender (* gender-neutral). Disabled applicants will be given preference if all other qualifications are essentially equal.

HZDR and the University of Rostock are committed to increasing the proportion of women among scientific staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply in accordance with Section 7(3) of the Equal Opportunities Act of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Women will be given preferential consideration in cases of substantially equal qualifications, unless reasons relating to another candidate prevail.
If you have any questions regarding gender equality, please contact the faculty representatives of the Equal Opportunity Officers, Ms. Nele Leopold or Dr. Amanda Wiesenthal, at: [email protected].

Application Instructions

Applications should include the usual documents (curriculum vitae including academic career, certificates and diplomas, list of publications, list of courses taught, a research profile for the intended field of activity at the University of Rostock and HZDR/HEDI and a list of third-party funds acquired). Please submit your application by 30.10.2026 to: Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Rostock, Wismarsche Str. 45, 18057 Rostock, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]. Please submit all documents as a single PDF file with a maximum size of 5 MB.

The processing of your personal data is carried out on the basis of an agreement between the University of Rostock and HZDR in accordance with Articles 26 and 28 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Application-related travel expenses will be reimbursed by HZDR in accordance with the German Federal Travel Expenses Regulations. Please submit copies of your application documents only, as they will not be returned after completion of the appointment procedure.