Head of Department (f/m/x) Sustainable Systems Process Engineering

Start your mission with DLR

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre and the space agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. Here, 10,000 employees work together on a unique variety of topics in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation. Their missions range from basic research to the development of innovative applications and products for tomorrow. Cutting-edge research requires excellent minds – particularly more females – at all levels, who fully achieve their potential in an inspiring environment. Launch your mission with us.

For our Institute of Solar Research in Jülich, we are currently looking for a

Head of Department (f/m/x)Sustainable Systems Process Engineering

Your mission:

Sustainable heat supply in the chemical industry

You would like to build up a scientific team that develops solutions for the integration of a sustainable heat supply in partnership with the chemical industry? Then we have the right offer for you!

With 120 employees, the Institute for Solar Research is one of the leading research institutions in the field of concentrating solar technology for the provision of high-temperature heat for power plants and industrial processes, which are developed in close cooperation with industry. We strongly cooperate with German Universities e.g. through associate professorships of our department heads to supervise theses and provide lectures.

The newly founded department will turn its focus on research to develop and assess concepts on how to provide a 100% renewable heat supply in the chemical industry, based on highly integrated renewable technologies.

As Head of Department, you will be responsible for setting up and managing the Sustainable Systems Process Engineering department, which is to be newly founded on 01.01.2024 and scientifically lead the topic e.g. by supervising Master and PhD theses in this area. The department currently has 12 employees with a focus on the numerical simulation of energy systems and the metrological recording of energy consumption in the building sector. Further resources are available to expand the department.

The main areas of work are:

• strategic development and representation of the research field internally and externally
• defining, conducting and guiding scientific research in the field
• building strategic partnerships with industry and academia
• recruitment and management of employees
• acquisition of research funds
• definition and implementation of large-scale research facilities
• management of staff, infrastructure and resources

The place of work is at the DLR site in Jülich. The position is initially limited to three years. During this time, DLR aims to advertise the position jointly with a university in NRW as a W2 professorship and expects applicants to have the appropriate qualifications for such a procedure.

Your qualifications:

• You have completed a scientific university degree (Master's degree or diploma) in the field of mechanical engineering, process engineering, chemical engineering or a similar course of study relevant for the job.
• You can demonstrate a doctorate in the above-mentioned research area.
• You are able to evaluate scientific contexts and convincingly represent scientific results.
• You have experience in guiding staff in scientific work and demonstrable experience in disseminating research results in relevant international journals.
• Your many years of professional experience in experimental research and strong links to industry in the research field make you an indispensable expert for us.
• You convince us with demonstrable long-term experience in leading a research team and managing large-scale national and international projects.
• You have many years of experience in the acquisition, preparation and execution of orders and are business fluent in German and English.
• You have sound experience in the development of research topics and the acquisition of third-party funding.

Your benefits:

Look forward to a fulfilling job with an employer who appreciates your commitment and supports your personal and professional development. Our unique infrastructure offers you a working environment in which you have unparalleled scope to develop your creative ideas and accomplish your professional objectives. Our human resources policy places great value on a healthy family and work-life-balance as well as equal opportunities for persons of all genders (f/m/x). Individuals with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in the event their qualifications are equivalent to those of other candidates.

If you have any questions concerning specific aspects of the job, please contact Prof. Dr. Robert Pitz-Paal by calling +49 2203 601-2744 or Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hoffschmidt by calling +49 2203 601‑3200. Please find further information on this vacancy with the reference number 88808, and details regarding the remuneration and the application procedure, at www.DLR.de/dlr/jobs/#52210