Head of the Division of Natural and Built Environment (f/m/d)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association is the only scientific institution of its kind in Germany. Like no other institution in the German science sector does it live the interconnection of university and non-university research, from findings-driven fundamental research to applied research in combination with research-oriented teaching. As one of eleven universities of excellence in Germany, we make significant contributions in the fields of energy, mobility, information, climate, and the environment. KIT has about 10,000 employees and more than 22,000 enrolled students. KIT’s annual budget totals approx. 1.1 billion euros.

KIT is organized into five Divisions with about 120 institutes. As specified in Article 1 of the KIT Act (KIT-Gesetz), KIT carries out the following tasks:  

  • University and non-university research (among others within presently 11 Helmholtz programs at the corresponding research facilities),
  • academic education (at eleven KIT Departments), and
  • transfer.

More than 400 appointed professors fulfill their tasks at the institutes. They are affiliated to one of the five Divisions reflecting the scientific disciplines covered by KIT’s work. The Divisions are headed by a Division Head. The full-time Division Heads are elected for a term of five years (with a reelection option). They take care of the scientific and strategic further development of the Division and the strategic distribution of resources.

Tätigkeitsbeschreibung

KIT’s Division IV pools research, academic education, and knowledge transfer in the areas of civil engineering, geosciences, and environmental sciences. The Division comprises

  • 25 institutes of KIT,
  • the KIT Departments of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences, and
  • the KIT’s activities under the program “Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future” of the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment.

What you can expect:

  • As Head of Division, you will assume a visible and actively shaping executive position and will be responsible for the interface between research, academic education, and transfer activities.  
  • You will report directly to the Executive Board.
  • You will bear responsibility for the staff, budget, and other resources in your Division.
  • You will develop a strategic orientation and push the careers of your staff to reach a top position on the international level.
  • You will direct and support a highly qualified Division administration team that will assist you in the execution of your diverse and challenging tasks, including the chairing of the Division Council and of appointment commissions.
  • In close cooperation with the Executive Board, the other Division Heads, KIT Deans, the spokespersons of the Helmholtz programs, and the central service and business units, you will cooperatively shape work at the interfaces within and outside of our organization.
  • You will represent your Division internally and externally and you will participate in meetings of the Executive Board and work in the relevant bodies of the Helmholtz Association.
Persönliche Qualifikation
  • You are a highly committed and scientifically renowned person with several years of management experience at universities or scientific and science-related institutions.
  • Your completed university studies (Master/diploma), doctorate, and/or your corresponding scientific achievements make you fulfill the requirements for a professorship and you are able to meet the challenges of your office, as you held a management position for several years in science, industry, etc.
  • You have an outstanding national and international reputation in one of the areas relevant to Division IV and you are willing to extensively familiarize with other relevant scientific topics of Division IV.
  • You have comprehensive expertise regarding the range of scientific funding instruments on the regional, national, and international levels as well as in industry and society and you are experienced in working in the corresponding bodies.
  • Thanks to your strategy-based and target-oriented working style, your convincing communication skills on all levels, your will power for implementation, your pronounced commitment both inside and outside of the institution, your flexibility, and your capability of arousing enthusiasm, you will contribute largely to the success of KIT.
  • You use modern target-oriented and participative management policies and you are responsible, agile, confident, team-minded, trustworthy, reliable, and have a good sense of how to adequately represent KIT to various target groups (science, politics, industry, civil society, media, etc.)
  • You possess organizational skills, an ability to make sound judgements and to provide competent advice, visionary, strategic-conceptual, and analytical thinking, as well as gender and diversity competence. You are experienced in solving problems, acting in a service-oriented way, optimizing processes, and managing projects successfully.
  • Your full professional proficiency in both German and English completes your profile.
Das bieten wir Ihnen
  • A responsible position addressing attractive scientific-technical and socially relevant topics of the Division.
  • A large scope of action at a unique, highly innovative, and excellent science institution that makes significant contributions to mastering major global challenges facing humankind.
  • A competent and highly motivated environment.
  • An appreciative management, organization, and communication culture.
  • Attractive working conditions for all employees with their different life plans and practiced equal opportunities and diversity.
  • Work and life in the Karlsruhe Technology Region – an innovative and internationally minded location with a high quality of life.
  • Professional and personal further development (internal and external training).
  • Performance-based payment, pension scheme in the public service sector, additional support services for the staff.
  • Flexible working times, compatibility of job and family (own childcare centers, dual career services, elder care advice, etc.).
  • Active onboarding.
Organisationseinheit

Bereich IV - Natürliche und gebaute Umwelt

Eintrittstermin

1. Oktober 2025

Application

In case you are attracted by this responsible task with a wide sphere of influence at a unique science organization, please submit your complete application documents in digital form by February 9, 2025 underthe vacancy number 1000/2025 to the Chairperson of the Search Committee and President Professor Dr. Jan S. Hesthaven via bl-findungskommission@sts.kit.edu.

Your application should include a letter of interest and your full CV as well as a strategic paper illustrating your 5-year-vision for the division (max. five pages).

At KIT, we stand for an open work environment and appreciate the diversity of our staff. Applications by women are encouraged and will be preferred in case of the same qualification. The same will apply to persons with a recognized severe disability.

The current holder of the position will stand for reelection.

For the privacy policy relating to this application procedure, click: https://www.sts.kit.edu/downloads/241206_DSE_BL_IV_EN.pdf

 
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