Founded in 1991, the University of Potsdam has firmly established itself in the scientific landscape and has become an outstanding economic factor and development engine for the region. It has a high level of third-party funding, has won several awards for teaching, and has a service-oriented administration and has received awards for being
family-friendly. Around 20,000 students and 3,000 employees work at three locations - Am Neuen Palais, Griebnitzsee and Golm - at one of the most beautifully situated academic institutions in Germany.

The Digital Engineering Faculty of the University of Potsdam invites applications for joint professorships under the Jülich Modell or the Thuringia Modell with the Hasso-Plattner-Institute for Digital Engineering gGmbH (HPI) to be filled as soon as possible:

Up to Ten Open Topic Junior Professorships (W 1) (Tenure Track) / Open Topic Associate Professorships for Computer Science (W 2)

The Hasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI), founded in 1998 by SAP co-founder Prof. Hasso Plattner, is Germany’s center of excellence in Digital Engineering. In 2017, HPI and the University of Potsdam jointly established the Digital Engineering Faculty (DEF) – the only privately funded faculty at a public university in Germany. Over the coming years, we will further expand our research profile across six clusters – Data and AI, Digital Health, Foundations, Security, Systems, and Business and Society – with the goal of positioning HPI among Europe’s leading university-level computer science institutions. We provide an innovative and personalized learning environment for more than 1,000 bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students and foster a collaborative, inclusive workplace for faculty and staff.

As part of their growth initiative, the HPI and the DEF seek to appoint ten new faculty members. Applications are welcome from candidates have recently completed an outstanding doctorate and published additional high-quality research outputs (W1), as well as from candidates who have already been working as postdoctoral researchers for some time and ideally have experience leading a research team (W2). Applicants with expertise aligned with our research clusters and the ability to contribute synergistically to our existing research and teaching activities are encouraged to apply.

We offer an attractive and intellectually stimulating position within HPI’s vibrant and collaborative community. The role provides stable institutional funding and extensive opportunities to advance your research, engage with outstanding students, and contribute to our institutional vision and growth. Our campus is spacious, green, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, located in Potsdam, just minutes from Berlin. The HPI School of Design Thinking and our entrepreneurship hub (“HPI Engine”) are also located on campus, supporting students in developing product ideas and business strategies. German language skills are not initially required.

You are eligible for appointment to an Assistant Tenure-Track Professorship (W1 TT, Jülich Modell) if you earned an outstanding doctorate no more than six years ago (extensions are possible in cases of childcare or caregiving responsibilities, provided appropriate documentation is submitted). During the initial fixed-term appointment period of up to six years, you will have the opportunity to expand your research and teaching output to qualify for a tenured professorship. An evaluation will be conducted well before the end of the initial fixed-term appointment (including the probationary assessment pursuant to § 48 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act, BbgHG). If the evaluation is positive, the position will be converted into a permanent professorship (W2 or W3) without the need for a new appointment procedure.

Alternatively, candidates may be eligible for appointment to an initially fixed-term Associate Professorship (W2, Thuringia Modell) if they have already worked as a postdoctoral researcher or assistant professor for some time and have published independently following completion of their doctorate. In addition to teaching experience, candidates should have gained experience in research management, for example through participation in third-party funded projects. Following a positive evaluation after five years, the position will be converted into a tenured professorship (W2 or W3).

We expect demonstrated expertise in computer science and a specialization in one of the six clusters listed above: Data and AI, Digital Health, Foundations, Security, Systems, and Busi-ness and Society. You will be expected to contribute to the further development of the HPI’s strategic objectives by demonstrating your excellence in research and experience in teaching, in addition to your suitability for the role.

Interviews are scheduled for January 2027 on our Griebnitzsee campus.

If you have any questions, please contact the Digital Engineering Faculty ().

• For the W 1 professorships
The joint appointments will be implemented according to the “Jülich Modell” with a teaching obligation at the University of Potsdam in accordance with the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (BbgHG).

The hiring process is subject to the requirements set forth in Section 47 of the BbgHG. The appointment procedure is conducted in accordance with Section 42 BbgHG. A further evaluation is carried out in good time before the expiration of the initially fixed-term junior professorship (including the determination of probation according to Section 48 BbgHG). In the case of a positive evaluation, then the position will become a permanent professorship () without a renewed appointment procedure.

Candidates who fulfill the hiring requirements for a university professorship in accordance with Section 43 subsection 1 sentence 1 no. 4 letter a cannot be considered in this selection process.

• For the W 2 professorships
The joint appointment will be implemented according to the “Thuringia Modell” with a teaching obligation at the University of Potsdam in accordance with the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (BbgHG).

The hiring process is subject to the requirements set forth in Section 43 subsection 1 sentence 1 no. 1 – 3 and no. 4 letter a of the BbgHG. The appointment procedure is conducted in accordance with Section 42 BbgHG.

The University of Potsdam and the HPI value diversity and thus pursue the goals of equal opportunities and diversity in accordance with the general principle of equal treatment. One of the UP’s and HPI’s strategic goals is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Therefore, the UP and the HPI expressly invite applications from qualified female scientists. People with a severe disability will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Periods of time taken for parental leave or caregiving are taken into account when assessing applicants’ academic careers. The implementation of equality and diversity standards in the respective field of work is expected.

We also offer dual career support and coaching for newly appointed professors.

Please submit your application, specifying up to two clusters as well as the appointment level (W 1 or W 2) for which you are applying, together with the relevant documentation (cover letter, CV, list of publications, doctoral degree certificate, teaching and research statements, references to a selection of your three best papers, teaching evaluations, and a teaching video), via online-application button by 31 October 2026. Further information is available online at .

According to the Civil Servants Act of the State of Brandenburg (“Landesbeamtengesetz”), an inquiry must be made to the Domestic Intelligence Service prior to the completion of the hiring and appointment as a civil servant in the state of Brandenburg. Information on the lawfulness and the procedure is available .