Professorship for “Synthetic Immunology”

The Faculty of Engineering Sciences at Heidelberg University and the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB) invite applications for a

Full Professorship (W3) in “Synthetic Immunology” (f/m/d)

to be filled as of 1 October 2027. Where the requirements under civil-service law are met, the appointment will be made for life under civil-servant status (Beamtenverhältnis auf Lebenszeit; corresponds to a permanent tenured position).

We are seeking an internationally recognized researcher at the intersection of synthetic biology and immunology, with excellent opportunities for networking in Heidelberg. The research focus should be on the bottom-up engineering of artificial, synthetic immune modules and/or synthetic immune cells, as well as their characterization using modern experimental and quantitative methods. The successful candidate is expected to develop an independent, internationally competitive research program that enables the targeted programming of immunological processes in various biological applications, such as immunotherapy. The professorship is associated with the Cluster of Excellence SynthImmune (www.synthimmune.de/). In addition, there are numerous links to other collaborative projects in Heidelberg, as well as to non-university partners.

Prerequisites for appointment include substantial research achievements, documented in particular through relevant publications and the acquisition of third-party funding. Substantial experience in academic teaching is also required; where available, teaching evaluations should be enclosed with the application. The successful candidate is expected to make significant contributions to teaching at the IPMB, with a teaching obligation of 9 SWS (semester hours per week). This primarily includes teaching in the Molecular Biotechnology degree programs (B.Sc./M.Sc.) as well as contributions to the State Examination program in Pharmacy. Part of the teaching must be delivered in German. Participation in the newly established M.Sc. track in Synthetic Immunology is also desired, as is involvement in the University′s academic self-governance and in the committees of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences.

Applicants must hold a university degree in a relevant subject (e. g., biosciences, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field) and an outstanding doctoral degree, and must demonstrate pedagogical aptitude, as a rule evidenced by teaching experience. In addition, further academic achievements (a habilitation, a junior professorship with a successful evaluation, or achievements equivalent to a habilitation) must be demonstrated in accordance with § 47 Abs. 2 Landeshochschulgesetz Baden-Württemberg (Section 47(2) of the Baden-Württemberg State Higher Education Act).

Please submit your application with the customary documents (CV, list of publications, research and teaching statements, etc.) as a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Guido Kanschat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, by email by September 30, 2026, quoting the reference “SynthImm-2026”, to: applications-ing@uni-heidelberg.de.