University Professorship in Human Geography

As “University of the Helmholtz Association”, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) creates and shares knowledge for society and the environment. Its goal is to make significant contributions to global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. Around 10,000 employees at KIT work together on a broad disciplinary basis in research, teaching, and innovation. KIT prepares its more than 25,000 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science through research-oriented university education. KIT’s innovation activities bridge the gap between knowledge and application for societal benefit, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural resources. KIT is one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence.

Division IV – Natural and Built Environment is seeking to fill, by 01.10.2027, a

University Professorship (W3)

“Human Geography”

The university professorship is associated with the collegial position of Director of the Institute of Geography and Geoecology (IfGG).

The university professorship advances the field of human geography in research and teaching both conceptually and in terms of content. In doing so, the university professorship promotes a critical-analytical perspective on processes of socio-spatial change, with a particular focus on issues of power, inequality, and justice. These issues are examined in their social, political, economic, or ecological dimensions.

The university professorship takes on a central role in the research profile of the Institute of Geography and Geoecology. We are looking for an internationally recognized and enthusiastic personality from the field of human geography who will develop a theory-driven and transdisciplinary research program with high social relevance and who masters a broad spectrum of empirical methods. The successful candidate will provide excellent teaching in German and English-language courses and actively expand interdisciplinary cooperation at KIT.

In teaching, the university professorship is responsible for the content and conceptual design of the human geography components of the geography degree programs for secondary school teachers (B.Ed. and M.Ed.), including the design and implementation of field trips. Since the B.Ed. and M.Ed. programs are taught in German, the successful candidate is expected to have acquired sufficient German language proficiency within two years of appointment. The university professorship covers the entire spectrum of human geography in their teaching. Together with their team, the successful candidate is responsible for a significant part of the subject-specific and differentiated methodological training in these degree programs. This also includes active contributions to education for sustainable development. In addition, the university professorship participates in the master's program Social and Spatial Justice in Urban Transformations, and contributes human geography perspectives to geoecology and other programs at the KIT Faculty of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences. The teaching load is 9 semester hours per week.

Candidates must hold a degree in Geography and a Doctorate. The appointment requires outstanding scientific achievements, demonstrated by relevant, internationally visible publications and proven expertise in human geography. Experience in acquiring third-party funding as well as teaching experience and didactic aptitude are expected, usually demonstrated by a habilitation or equivalent scientific achievements. The successful candidate participates in academic self-administration and acquires external funding for research and innovation. There are many opportunities for academic cooperation at KIT, namely in the KIT Faculty of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences and in Division IV - Natural and Built Environment, as well as in the KIT centers "Humans and Technology" and "Climate, Environment and Resources." Participation in the KIT focus area on urban research is desirable. Experience in or willingness to participate in transdisciplinary formats, in particular real-world laboratories, is an advantage.

Personal Qualification

Employment is subject to Art. 14, par. (2) of the KIT Act in conjunction with Art. 47 LHG Baden-Württemberg (Act of Baden-Württemberg on Universities and Colleges).

Application Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Please send your comprehensive application, including the usual documents (CV, list of publications, overview of third-party funding acquired, diplomas/cer­tificates, teaching evaluations, description of previous research and teaching activities, and research and teaching concept for the advertised position, statement on scientific honest) by 31.05.2026 using the vacancy number 1090/2026 to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Division IV – Natural and Built Environment, Division Head Prof. Dr. Johannes Orphal, preferably in a single PDF file by e-mail to: berufungen@bgu.kit.edu.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Michael Janoschka, e-mail: michael.janoschka@kit.edu.

KIT aims for balanced employment and particularly welcomes applications from women.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

KIT offers part-time employment, leaves of absence, a dual career service, and coaching to support the work-life balance.

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You can find further information on the internet: www.kit.edu

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