Professorship (W3) in Cognitive Robotics for Industrial Applications

The university is a reliable employer, partner for technology transfer and is committed to the interdisciplinary integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level.

Fraunhofer IPA is one of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s largest institutes and employs nearly 1,200 people. The focus of our research and development work is on organizational and technological issues related to the manufacturing industry. Fraunhofer IPA develops, tests and implements methods, components and devices right up to entire machines and production lines. The specialist departments cover the entire field of manufacturing engineering with a strong focus on robotics and automation.

The University of Stuttgart is calling for applicants to a W3 professorship “Cognitive Robotics for Industrial Applications” in the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology. The research areas of this professorship are motivated by current and future challenging robotics applications and focus on state-of-the-art methods for sensors and actuators, information processing and control. In addition to industrial robotics, we are seeking applicants whose research activities are in typical application domains such as logistics, architecture, agriculture, and life sciences.

The following research areas are considered:

• Development and integration of cognitive robot systems for complex applications

• Computer vision in cognitive robotics

• Method development for machine learning in cognitive robotics

• Modelling, controlling and adapting of robot-led processes

• Technologies and development methods for dependable, explainable human-machine interaction

Active participation and further development of the research and transfer activities of the research campus ARENA2036, the excellence clusters of the University of Stuttgart, and the innovation campus mobility as well as the further development of the Stuttgart technology and innovation campus S-TEC and Cyber Valley are expected. The future incumbent is also expected to participate in and help shape the German and English-language teaching in the bachelor's and master's programs of the faculty, as well as actively raising third-party funds and participating in collaborative research projects at the university.

This professorship (W3) follows the "Berliner model". This involves an appointment to a professorship at the University of Stuttgart with full academic rights and duties (including the passive right to vote). The person is also delegated research and management duties to the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. Embedded in the "Computer Science" department of Faculty 5, especially the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the appointed person should devote himself to interdisciplinary research and teaching in computer science and engineering. Participation in academic self-administration and the independent acquisition of third-party funds are expected. Comprehensive knowledge in the fields of computer science and software engineering is required, as well as a high level of pedagogical aptitude.

In interactions with public bodies for research funding and research stakeholders from science and industry, your new role will require you to act as an expert representative of specific areas of research and teaching, plus research and technology management. You will also forge a strategic link between the University and the Fraunhofer Institute.

As well as having many years of experience in leading large interdisciplinary research groups, you will also have experience in the strategic planning, acquisition and implementation of large-scale national and international research and development projects in a range of business areas, as well as expertise in enhancing the efficiency of development processes and technology utilization.

Experience with working and teaching in an international context, participation in international projects and involvement in science policy circles shall be regarded as particular advantages.

We are seeking for an individual who is distinguished by high-ranking scientific publications or patents with international visibility. For a qualitative assessment of your academic accomplishments, we kindly ask you to submit a short description of your three most important scientific achievements, which should be no longer than one page in total. Possible successes may include, for example, those in research, teaching, science and society, knowledge and technology transfer, inventions and patents, software development, or spin-offs. The requirements for employment listed in § 47 and § 50 Baden-Württemberg University law (LHG) apply.

The successful candidate will enjoy the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of projects with a high degree of practical relevance as well as a great deal of flexibility in pursuing research work. The University    and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have a family-friendly HR policy that includes the opportunity to arrange flexible working hours and various types of support for achieving a successful work-life balance.

Written applications (including a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, a list of publications, research and teaching statements, a list of the three most important scientific achievements as well as the completed form at https://www.f05.uni-stuttgart.de/open-positions ) should be sent in electronic form no later than June 16, 2024 to Prof. Kai Arras, Dean's Office, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany, e-mail: dekanat@f05.uni-stuttgart.de, preferably as a single PDF file and parallel to the President of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka (Hansastr. 27C, 80686 München, praesident@fraunhofer.de). At https://www.f05.uni-stuttgart.de/open-positions you will find our public key for encrypting your e-mail to dekanat@f05.uni-stuttgart.de. Please be aware of the risks regarding confidentiality and the integrity of your application contents when sending your application via unencrypted email. Alternatively, postal applications to Dekanat Fakultät 5, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany are also accepted. Please address any questions regarding the current appointment process to Prof. Kai Arras.

The University of Stuttgart is an equal-opportunity employer. Applications from women are strongly encouraged. Disabled persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications

The University of Stuttgart has established a Dual Career Program to offer assistance to partners of those moving to Stuttgart. For more information, please visit the website https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/universitaet/arbeitgeber/dualcareer/

Information on the handling of applicant data in accordance with Art. 13 DS-GVO can be found at https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/datenschutz/bewerbung.