University Professorship (W3) Optics and Photonics

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The University in the Helmholtz Association–creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation. KIT is one of the German Universities of Excellence.

University Professorship (W3) Optics and Photonics

Job description

We are seeking highly qualified candidates working in the field of experimental optics & photonics with a focus on light-matter interactions and its applications in condensed matter. This can include but is not limited to advanced optical microscopy, biophotonics, light-enabled nanotechnology, nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, optical metrology, optical quantum technology, and ultrafast spectroscopy.

The research program of the candidate is expected to complement and strengthen the field of optics & photonics at KIT. This field strongly contributes to the ”Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics” (KSOP), the ”Karlsruhe Center for Optics & Photonics” (KCOP), the excellence cluster “3D Matter Made to Order” (3DMM2O), the Helmholtz programs “Materials Systems Engineering” (MSE) and “Natural, Artificial, and Cognitive Information Processing” (NACIP), and the KIT Center “Materials in Technical and Life Sciences” (MaTeLiS).

The candidate is expected to have a strong commitment to education and to execute university tasks with a teaching obligation of 9 hours per week per semester. This includes teaching at the BSc and MSc levels at the KIT Department of Physics and within the MSc Program of KSOP.

Personal qualification

A completed doctorate (PhD) in physics, outstanding internationally visible scientific achievements, as well as excellent teaching skills are required.

Organizational unit

Division V – Physics and Mathematics

Starting date

at the earliest possible date

Contract duration

permanent

Application up to

1st of February 2026

Contact person in line-management

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Markus Garst, email: markus.garst@kit.edu

Canditature

Please send your application with the relevant documents (i.e., cover letter, curriculum vitae, research concept, previous teaching activities and teaching concept, acquired third-party funds and a list of publications), in electronic form preferably as a single PDF file, to Division V, KIT Department of Physics, KIT, email: dekanat@physik.kit.edu by 1st of February 2026.

Vacancy number

1325/2025

We strive to achieve as balanced a workforce as possible (f/m/d) and would therefore particularly welcome applications from women. If equally qualified, persons with recognized disabilities will be given preferential considerations.

As a family-friendly university, KIT offers part-time employment, leave of absence for family reasons, a dual career service, and accompanying coaching to support the compatibility of work and family life.

KIT processes your personal data in accordance with this data protection policy.

More information: www.kit.edu

KIT – The University in the Helmholtz Association