The professorship is filled in according to the Jülich model (leave of absence model) with a reduced teaching load (two teaching hours) and is linked to the position of
Head of the “Energy Converters and Systems” department at the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems.
DLR is the German aerospace research and technology centre. In its core areas, DLR develops technologies for aeronautics and space, energy and transport, as well as security and defence research. A broad spectrum of results and innovations bring benefits for industry and business, authorities and administration as well as for public stakeholders. The DLR fulfils its responsibility to society through an intensive exchange of knowledge and targeted technology transfer.
The Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, based in Geesthacht and Kiel, develops innovative technical solutions to give the maritime industry the confidence to invest in new technologies and thus accelerate the transformation of waterborne transport. The Institute’s vision does not stop at the quay wall but considers the ship as a system in a global transport concept with its own interfaces to air and land transport. The defossilisation and emission reduction of shipping is just as important as the development of efficient ship concepts. In addition, the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems includes a land-based test infrastructure, which comprises various energy converters (including fuel cells, reformers and combustion engines up to the MW range) and simulates a highly flexible ship energy system, as well as a research vessel for the implementation and development of efficient propulsion systems. In cooperation with the other DLR institutes, the Institute of Maritime Energy Systems contributes to DLR’s cross-cutting topic of civil security and defence research and cooperates with authorities entrusted with security tasks. More information about the institute can be found at www.dlr.de/ms/.
The professorship is located at the Institute of Electrical and Information Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering at Kiel University. The CAU Kiel is the only full university in Schleswig-Holstein with a strong research focus and has systematically developed four dynamic research focal points in recent years, based on the interdisciplinary interaction of strong disciplines: Marine Sciences, Life Sciences, Society, Environment and Culture in Transition as well as Nanosciences and Surface Research. The Faculty of Engineering interacts with all focal areas and cooperates closely with non-university research partners such as DLR, Fraunhofer ISIT and the Helmholtz Centers GEOMAR and HEREON.
As the future holder of this position, you are enthusiastic about research, teaching and technology transfer and are a scientifically recognized person with a doctorate in a technical or scientific subject. You are experienced in leading a group, ideally in industry/an industrial context as well as experience in interdisciplinary cooperation at national and international level, and in working with industry. Furthermore, you are familiar with the exchange of knowledge with public stakeholders and the transfer to industry as well as the acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects. If possible, you have professional experience in the maritime sector or the maritime industry and/or corresponding organizations.
You have excellent scientific achievements in at least one of the following research areas:
- Development of new types of ships for maritime transportation with efficient generation of electrical energy from fuels and renewable energy sources
- Low-emission or emission-free operation of ships through the development and optimization of various energy systems, energy converters and system configurations
- Development of electrical distribution grids and storage systems on ships and in ports
Knowledge in the following areas is also desirable:
- Experimental testing of the systems mentioned, including the handling of hazardous substances (H2, ammonia, methanol)
- Modeling, simulation, control and regulation of complex dynamic electrical and thermal systems
- Electrical system planning incl. fuels, cooling water, ventilation, media conditioning.
The professorship has a reduced teaching load of two teaching hours at the Faculty of Engineering at Kiel University. Experience in teaching is expected.
A prerequisite for your employment at DLR is your security clearance in accordance with the Security Clearance Act (SÜG) and your willingness to undergo a security clearance in accordance with § 8 ff SÜG.
Please note the recruitment requirements of § 61 of the Schleswig-Holstein Higher Education Act. Further information can be found on the homepage www.berufungen.uni-kiel.de.
DLR and the CAU want to attract more qualified women to professorships and are striving to increase the number of female scientists in research and teaching.
DLR and the CAU therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply. Women with equivalent aptitude, qualifications and professional performance will be given priority.
DLR and the CAU are committed to the employment of people with disabilities: Applications from severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preferential consideration.
We expressly welcome applications from people with a migration background. We ask you to refrain from including photographs or application photos in your submission. We expressly welcome applications from academics from abroad.
Applicants are requested to submit a cover letter addressed to both the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Engineering and the Director of the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, Prof. Dr. Sören Ehlers, with the usual documents (CV, list of publications including the three most important publications, list and evaluations of courses, copies of academic certificates) as well as a research concept and a teaching concept, stating the private and work address with telephone number and e-mail. Please submit your application by 25.06.2025 preferably in electronic form as a PDF file to the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Engineering (berufungen@tf.uni-kiel.de).
The processing of your personal data is based on a contract between CAU Kiel and DLR in accordance with Article 26 or 28 GDPR.
If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator of the CAU appointment committee, Prof. Dr. Marco Liserre (ml@tf.uni-kiel.de), and the director of the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, Prof. Dr. Sören Ehlers (soeren.ehlers@dlr.de).