TU Darmstadt stands for excellent and relevant science. We are playing a decisive role in shaping the far-reaching processes of global change—from the energy transition to artificial intelligence—through outstanding scientific knowledge and innovative academic programmes. We group our cutting-edge research into three fields: Energy and Environment, Information and Intelligence, Matter and Materials. We are a university with strong ties to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region and a very strong international focus. We are committed to European values and European integration.
Digitalization will change the requirements for work systems and processes as well as human machine interaction. Significant changes are currently resulting from the broad application of new technologies in the context of automation and artificial intelligence. These require an increasing interlocking of virtual and physical, networking product-service systems, a flexibilization of working conditions, and a stronger focus on cooperative human-technology interactions.
The increasing digitization of in the work space underlines the relevance of human-related research. This human-related research focuses on the consideration of humans as users of products and as a work force in interaction with technology and organization. Research inoccupational science in this regard includes the analysis, evaluation and design of sociotechnical systems as well as the consideration of the human-centered design process. Thus, the interests of both internal and external stakeholders of a company are taken into account. The aim is to design sustainable, value-adding and socially sustainable work systems and products in and with companies, in which and with which people work productively, safely, healthily and contentedly.
An overarching research focus of the professorship is the design of the digital transformation of working environments through new impulses in the area of human-centered development of AI applications. The cooperation of classical engineering sciences with computer science in particular through applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and especially on the explainability of AI shall be strengthened. Aspects of regulation and standardization with regard to the application of AI are to be addressed at national as well as European level.
Research in the areas of organization and new forms of work may include the topics of organizational structures and processes, organizational and safety cultures, competencies, leadership, and resilience management. With regard to predominantly physical forms of work, a focus is on work assessment through the use of validated, predominantly digital occupational science methods, and on the design of work systems along the product development process with strong incorporation of simulation and human modeling techniques is desired. The topics of human-technology interaction include human-centered design under the aspects of ergonomics, usability and acceptance. Furthermore, the cooperation with (partially) automated systems as well as assistance systems will be researched.
The professorship "Human Centered Systems Engineering" pursues the goal to shape the transformations in mechanical engineering towards an increasing degree of digitalization and to represent them in research and teaching. The professorship promotes the attractiveness of mechanical engineering for students and shapes mechanical engineering by further developing the content of work sciences in more digitalized work contexts.
The candidate is expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to national and international collaborative research and to initiate and participate in interdisciplinary projects with other departments and research groups.
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in engineering or natural sciences with suitable pedagogical qualifications as well as the willingness to participate in academic self-administration.
As part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region, Technical University of Darmstadt and its surroundings are characterized by living internationality. The core element of this is a cosmopolitan climate with functional multilingualism at our university. Therefore, very good English and, at the latest after three years, good German language skills are expected.
Regulations for employment for W3 professorships are specified under §§ 67 and 68 HessHG (Hessian Higher Education Act). Such a professorship is tenured with a remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications, following the German "W-Besoldung" and subject to negotiations between the applicant and the university directorate. A comparable employment relationship is possible.
Technical University of Darmstadt offers varied and challenging assignments, freedom to work independently, the latest technologies, good collaboration between colleagues in partnership, needs-based training opportunities and customised personnel development.
TU Darmstadt intends to increase the number of female employees and encourages female candidates to apply. In case of equal qualifications, applicants with a degree of disability of at least 50 or equal will be given preference.
By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed for the purpose of filling the vacancy. You can find our privacy policy on our webpage.
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Metternich via j.metternich@ptw.tu-darmstadt.de
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