Two Junior Research Group Leaders (f/d/m) for Photonics

Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional University with a strong research profile based in the heart of Germany. As a University covering all disciplines, we offer a wide range of subjects. Our research is focused on the areas Light—Life—Liberty. We are closely networked with non-university research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 18,000 students and more than 8,600 employees, our University plays a major role in shaping Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

To foster excellence and diversity in optics and photonics the university’s Abbe Center of Photonics (www.acp.uni-jena.de) seeks to fill the positions of Two Junior Research Group Leaders (f/d/m) for Photonic commencing as early as possible. We offer full-time positions (40 hours per week offered as fixed-term positions).

The appointees are expected to establish independent research groups in modern fields of optics. While this is an open topic call, strong connections between the new junior research groups and the already existing groups in the Collaborative Research Center “NOA – Nonlinear Optics down to Atomic scales” (www.noa.uni-jena.de) and/or the research group for Nano & Quantum Optics (www.iap.uni-jena.de/nano-quantum-optics) are explicitly desired. Depending on their eventual topical alignment, the new junior research groups will be associated to the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy or the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences.

This call is focusing on strengthening diversity in science.

Your responsibilities

• Conduct interdisciplinary research.
• Research in one or more of the aforementioned or related areas, both independently and as part of a team.
• Teaching with a scope of 4 contact hours per week.
• Work on an own scientific qualification project.  

Your profile

The candidates should already have proven their potential for excellent science by an outstanding quality of their Doctorate/PhD research in photonic science or related fields. Furthermore, they should demonstrate the ability to supervise students and their leadership potential to run a research team. A successful postdoc period is highly appreciated. Knowledge of German is an advantage, but due to the international character of the research environment not strictly necessary.

We offer

• The appointees will be supported to establish their independent research programs by access to the existing research infrastructure and personnel of the Abbe Center of Photonics as well as by prioritized access to internal funding calls for researcher positions, investments, and running costs.
• The Abbe Center of Photonics offers an outstanding interdisciplinary network of potential cooperation partners, combining university and non-university research as well as science and business.
• The junior group leaders will be actively supported in their endeavour to strengthen diversity in photonics by a consortium of international partners, including TUD-Technical University Delft, BPHOT-Vrije Univer­siteit Brussel, LENS-European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, FORTH-Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas, TNI-University College Cork, and ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences.
• The Friedrich Schiller University provides a family-friendly working environment with flexible working options as well as a university scheme for the promotion of career, health, and well-being.
• Remuneration is based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at a salary scale 13 — depending on the candidates’ personal qualifications, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31.  

The positions are offered as fixed-term positions, one for a maximum of 5 years and the other one is first limited until 30.06.2027, but in case of a successful evaluation of the funding framework it is planned to be extended by another 4 years. Both positions are full-time positions (40 hours per week). In principle, the positions are also suitable for part-time employment. The extent to which a part-time request can be granted, in particular with regard to the location and scope of the part-time work, will be assessed on the basis of the needs of the service.

We are strongly committed to an increase in the number of women in leading positions in science, and therefore women are especially encouraged to apply.

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work with us? Then apply by 16 June 2024 using our online form.

                                                           Online application

Please including with your application documents a cover letter, a research proposal, your CV, certificates, transcripts of records including all grades of your previous qualifications, as well as lists of publications and previously raised third-party funding.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

– Prof. Stefanie Gräfe, spokesperson of the CRC NOA, [email protected] ,

– Prof. Ulf Peschel, deputy spokesperson of the CRC NOA, [email protected] ,

– Prof. Thomas Pertsch, head of the Nano & Quantum Optics group, [email protected] .

For further information on your application and the collection of personal data, please refer to our Privacy Statement for Applicants