University Tenure-Track Professorship (W1) „Experimental Astroparticle Physics“

Other

06.03.2026

We seek a candidate (f/m/d) who will expand KIT’s role in the research field of experimental astroparticle physics. The activities of the position are focused on the direct search for Dark Matter and on the development of technologies and instruments for building ultra‑sensitive experiments. The Tenure‑Track professorship will be integrated to strengthen and complement the existing experimental and theoretical activities at KIT in the research areas of astroparticle and particle physics.

You will establish and independently lead a Dark Matter research group at the KIT Institute for Astroparticle Physics (IAP). You will participate in the program‑oriented funding of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, particularly in the program “Matter and the Universe” (MU). At KIT, the research topics and tasks of the program include, in addition to the search for Dark Matter, the determination of the neutrino mass and other neutrino properties as well as the investigation of ultra‑high‑energy particles and radiation from the Universe.

You will collaborate closely with colleagues from other institutes and the program “Matter and Technologies” (MT), especially for the development of suitable detection technologies and detectors. You contribute in the acquisition of third‑party funding from national and international sources.

A participation in the KIT Center for Elementary Particle and Astroparticle Physics (KCETA) and in the Karlsruhe School for Elementary Particle and Astroparticle Physics: Science and Technology (KSETA) is desired.

An appropriate participation in the teaching duties of the KIT Faculty of Physics is expected. You will perform large-scale research with a teaching load of 4 lecture hours per week per semester and after a positive mid-term evaluation of 6 lecture hours per week per semester.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone

0049-30-206329-0

Location

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany