Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of Germany’s leading institutes of technology and offers an inspiring work environment with a wide range of research and teaching opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities. The 3,800 members of our academic, technical and administrative staff – including more than 400 international scientific staff – work together to ensure that our university successfully fulfils its mission of providing excellent teaching for our approximately 16,000 students and 100 trainees.
We focus our research on mobility, metrology, engineering for health, and the future city. Our core disciplines include a comprehensive engineering division and a strong natural sciences division, closely linked with business sciences, social sciences, educational sciences, and the humanities.
Our university is located at the heart of one of Europe’s most research-intensive regions. We cooperate closely with the more than 20 internationally renowned research institutions in our vicinity and our network extends to our partner universities in Germany and all over the world, with whom we maintain strong relationships.
The Fraunhofer Society, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading organization for applied research. With its focus on future-oriented key technologies and the commercialization of research results in industry and business, it plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and driving force for innovative developments and scientific excellence, it contributes to shaping our society and future.
The Technische Universität Braunschweig has a long-standing cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST). Surface and thin film technology are crucial in many industries, typically integrated into process and manufacturing technology chains. At Fraunhofer IST, research focuses on future-oriented products and their associated competitive and scalable production systems. Key areas of importance include: Low‑carbon technologies (e.g., batteries, key components for a hydrogen economy); Components and tools with high tribological loads; Micro- and sensor technologies; Manufacturing of precision optical systems; Surface technologies with highest standards for pharmaceutical and medical applications.
Fraunhofer IST research considers the entire product life cycle – from raw material extraction, production, and usage to recycling – to develop sustainable solutions. The institute’s core competencies also include a deep understanding of production systems, material-process-structure-property relationships, quantitative sustainability assessment, and technology management.
Fraunhofer IST is currently led by Prof. Christoph Herrmann.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
We offer, as part of a joint appointment, a
Professorship for "Thin Film Technology and Micro-/Nanostructure Fabrication"
at the Institute for Surface Technology (IOT) at TU Braunschweig
at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST)
Salary-Gr. W 3 | Ref.number 2025_f4_W001
Filling of the position is planned for April 1st, 2026.
Responsibilities
In the collegial institute leadership, you will shape the scientific and economic success and future viability of Fraunhofer IST in close coordination with the existing institute director and management team.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading a division of Fraunhofer IST according to the Fraunhofer model
- Defining the research strategy and acquiring projects
- Transferring research results into industry
- Personnel and organizational development
- Serving as the contact person for key stakeholders from funding bodies, industry, and academia
Additionally, as a board member of the IOT at TU Braunschweig, you will contribute to the university’s strategic development. The successful candidate (m/f/o) is expected to be committed to the university’s strategic goals and to actively shape its holistic development (https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/hochschulentwicklung). In addition to the classic service areas of a university (research, teaching and studies, transfer, governance and administration), this applies in particular to digitalisation, internationalisation, equality and diversity, as well as knowledge exchange. In this role, you will represent the field of Thin Film Technology in teaching, research, and technology management. The areas of activity of the professorship therefore lie in the research, development, and testing of processes, the associated plant technology, and their integration into process chains in the following fields:
- Physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques
- Surface modification processes using low-pressure plasmas
- Combination of thin film technology with micro-/nanostructuring, e.g., lithographic microfabrication combined with plasma etching and laser structuring
- Material, thin film, and surface analytics technologies
Our expectations
- Proven research and teaching experience in multiple of the above-mentioned areas
- Relevant publications in international journals
- Willingness for application-oriented research and development in this field
- Active involvement in core research areas Engineering for Health, Metrology and Mobility of TU Braunschweig
- Readiness to contribute to interdisciplinary research programs, including:
- Center for Pharmaceutical Process Engineering (PVZ)
- Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology (LENA)
- Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS)
- Open Hybrid LabFactory (OHLF)
- Lower Saxony Research Center for Aviation (NFL)
- Lower Saxony Research Center for Vehicle Technology (NFF)
- Experience in acquiring third‑party funding
- Strong English proficiency and willingness to teach in English
- Commitment to participating in university self-governance
- Readiness to contribute to the internationalization and research activities of the university
Requirements, § 25 NHG
- Completed university studies
- Pedagogical suitability proven by results of course evaluation
- Special qualification for deepened independent scientific work, which is usually demonstrated by an above-average doctorate and
- Habilitation or habilitation-adequate qualifications
Notes
The future post holder will be appointed to the TU Braunschweig according to the so‑called Berlin Model.
The Technische Universität Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft make personnel decisions on the basis of suitability, ability and professional performance. Our aim is to increase the share of women in academic positions. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from women and will give preference to female candidates with equivalent qualifications. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and, if equally qualified, will be given preference in the appointment process.
Technische Universität Braunschweig is certified as a family-friendly university. We are committed to facilitating a healthy and productive work-life balance and offer a dual career service as well as support for newly appointed staff. Our Family Office provides advice on all issues relating to family, childcare, and caring for relatives. Our "Prof.-Programm" offers exclusive status-related exchange and consulting formats, in particular to newly appointed professors. Professional and Personnel Development promotes the professional development of all employees through a wide range of courses and activities.
The university actively endorses equal opportunities and diversity and promotes diverse perspectives as essential in contributing to the university’s success in research, teaching, transfer and administration.
We particularly invite applications from international candidates (m/f/o). German language skills are not a prerequisite. However, the successful candidate is expected to acquire sufficient language skills to perform teaching and administrative duties in German within three years of appointment.
It is a permanent full-time position. A part-time appointment may be possible on request.
Applicants who are 50 years or older at the time the appointment commences and who have not acquired permanent civil servant status (Beamtenverhältnis auf Lebenszeit) will be employed with employee status (Angestelltenverhältnis).
Deadline for application
The application deadline is 2025-05-25.
Apply now!
Contact
Questions about the professorship will be answered by
Prof. Dr.‑Ing. Klaus Dilger
Tel: +49 531 391‑95500
[email protected]
For questions regarding the position at Fraunhofer IST please contact
Dr. Marius Dichtl
Tel: +49 89 1205‑1143
[email protected]
If you have any questions regarding personnel law matters, please contact
Anne Fritz
Tel: +49 531 391‑4350
[email protected]
For questions regarding online applications, please contact
Nicole Brückner
Tel: +49 531 391‑4337
[email protected]
We are looking forward to your application!
Applicants (m/f/o) are requested to attach the usual documents:
- Cover letter
- Academic background (curriculum vitae)
- Academic certificates and diplomas (degrees)
- List of publications incl. copies of 3 select publications
- List of third-party funds and description of own participation
- Research and teaching concept
- List of courses, including results of course evaluations
- If necessary, add proof of parental leave or disability.
www.tu-braunschweig.de
