University Professorship for Robotics

Paderborn University is a high-performance and internationally oriented university. Within interdisciplinary teams, we undertake forward-looking research, design innovative teaching concepts and actively transfer knowledge into society. As an important research and cooperation partner, the university also shapes regional development strategies. We offer our employees in research, teaching, technology and administration a lively, family-friendly and equal opportunity environment, a lean management structure and diverse opportunities. Join us to invent the future! 

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics is seeking to fill a 

W2 University Professorship (F/M/D) for Robotics 

as soon as possible. We are looking for an outstandingly qualified individual with a proven scientific track record and relevant peer-reviewed publications who can cover the field of Robotics in research and teaching. The new professor will help to advance the theoretical, technological and interdisciplinary development of robotics and strengthen the University of Paderborn's leadership in this field. The research focus will be on hardware and mechanism design, such as electro-mechanical design (at all scales), sensing, actuation, communication, and prototyping, with applications such as (but not limited to):

• Collaborative robots (Cobots)
• Humanoid robots and/or legged locomotion
• Cognitive robotics
• Medical and/or healthcare robots
• Agricultural robots
• Dexterous robotic manipulation
• Soft robotics
• Micro and nano robots 

The professorship shall offer compulsory and elective courses in the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Electrical Engineering. In addition, we expect a willingness to participate in academic self-administration to an appropriate extent. Ideally, applicants will have experience in the successful acquisition of third-party funding, e.g. for DFG projects or EU projects. Applicants from industry with strong research focus are welcome. The successful applicant is expected to actively participate in the application process for collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects and to participate in existing projects and research centers. Paderborn University offers several opportunities for this in the area of engineering, such as the Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing (PC²), the Heinz Nixdorf Institute (HNI), Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS), the Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics Paderborn (CeOPP), the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design Technology (IEM). 

With 11 interdisciplinary research institutions and participation in 5 collaborative research centers (4 in spokesperson function), 2 DFG research groups, 8 graduate colleges and 2 DFG priority programs, Paderborn University is the ideal environment for implementing bold research ideas. As the location of a national high-performance computing center, the university offers outstanding computing resources to implement these ideas. 

Recruitment requirements: § 36 Abs. 1 Ziff. 1 to 4 HG NRW (University law of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) (completed university degree, pedagogical aptitude, Ph.D. degree and additional academic achievements). 

Since Paderborn University seeks to increase the number of female professors, applications of woman are especially welcome. In case of equal qualification and scientific achievements, they will receive preferential treatment according to the North Rhine-Westphalian Equal Opportunities Policy (LGG), unless there are cogent reasons to give preference to another applicant. Likewise, applications of disabled people with appropriate qualification are explicitly requested. This also applies to people with equal status according to the German social law SGB IX. 

Paderborn University is certified as a family-friendly university. With our Dual Career Service, we support your partner with career orientation in the region if required. We will be happy to provide you with information about living and working in Paderborn and help you to find childcare options. If you are coming to us from abroad, our Welcome Services will support you on your arrival in Germany. 

Applications with the common material (CV, certificates, list of publications, course list, research and teaching statement, and if available, course evaluations) are requested online by 29^th August, 2025 (Ref. No. 6892) via the job portal of the Paderborn University: https://bewerbung.uni-paderborn.de/stellen/6892/?en. 

Information regarding the processing of your personal data can be located at: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/zv/translate-to-english-personaldatenschutz. 

Prof. Dr. Jens Förstner

Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics

Paderborn University

Warburger Straße 100

33098 Paderborn