The Faculty of Chemistry and the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) seeks to fill the professorship as mentioned above (the Karlsruhe model) as soon as possible.
We are looking for an outstanding scientist with a strong and proven international research profile as well as proven research achievements in organic chemistry.
Scientific environment
Leipzig University is one of the most traditional and at the same time most research-intensive universities in Germany and combines excellent science with a wide range of subjects. The Faculty of Chemistry is characterized by modern research infrastructure, excellent student support and proven expertise in all core areas of chemistry. It offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment with a wide range of cooperation opportunities, especially in the four established research areas "Chemistry in Micro-Space", "Materials and Energy", "Sustainable Multifunctional Catalysis" and "Chemical Theranostics". In addition, the faculty is closely integrated into the university's research profiles and maintains intensive cooperation with the Faculties of Physics and Earth System Sciences, Life Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine.
The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) is an independent large-scale research center in the German Mitteldeutsches Revier. With a transdisciplinary research approach and structured cooperation between science, industry and society, the CTC pursues the goal of advancing the transformation of a previously linear chemical industry dependent on fossil raw materials into a sustainable and regionally anchored circular economy. Research at the CTC is mission-driven along two moonshots: the autonomous laboratory and the fully recyclable car. The implementation of the moonshots will be pursued in the complementary topics of automation, data-driven chemistry, renewable feedstocks, recycling as well as social, ecological and economic metrics. The transfer of scientific research results into concrete applications and spin-offs is of particular importance at the CTC.
At the CTC, the applicant will be given the opportunity to distinguish himself or herself in a leading position as a scientist in an innovative research area, and to design and successfully implement new projects to achieve the moonshot goals. Particular potential arises from the interdisciplinary cooperation with other leading scientists as well as with young and dynamic research groups. The special structure of the CTC, which bridges the gap between basic academic research and industrial application, also offers the opportunity to become active as an entrepreneur – on the one hand in joint research and development projects with CTC industrial partners, and on the other hand through its own spin-off activities.
The combination of the work at both institutions makes it possible to ideally combine basic research and application and to transfer scientific results into social and economic application in a targeted manner.
In addition, there are a wide range of cooperation opportunities in the Mitteldeutsches Revier area with research institutions in Leipzig and Halle, such as the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, the Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ), the Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ), the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, the Fraunhofer Centre for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf - Leipzig branch office or the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences.
Responsibilities
At the Faculty of Chemistry, the position holder should participate in current research networks (including Transregio-SFB 386 "HYP*MOL - Hyperpolarization in molecular systems") as well as initiate and play a key role in shaping future ones. It is also expected that existing activities of the Institute of Organic Chemistry and the Faculty of Chemistry will be supplemented and strengthened, based on the research priorities of the Faculty of Chemistry and the core research fields of Leipzig University.
In addition, the willingness to actively participate in academic self-administration is expressly expected. The future holder of the position should also represent the field of organic chemistry in teaching and research in its entirety. He or she should be able to take over and complement teaching in the tiered degree programs B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry as well as the international, English-language degree programs, in the teaching degree program in chemistry and in the minor subject training in the field of organic chemistry.
At the CTC, the candidate will take on the role of a senior scientist and focus on research issues in the context of the transformation of chemistry. The research activities are intended to contribute to the moonshots. Corresponding commitment to the further development of the above-mentioned topics with the scientists and junior research groups active at the CTC is expected. The acquisition of further third-party funding and the expansion of international cooperation are also among the tasks.
Requirements
The applicant is expected to have an international reputation in research through outstanding achievements in a current field of synthetic organic chemistry.
The job holder’s rights and obligations are regulated by the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG) and the Saxon Service Regulations for Higher Education Institutions (HSDAVO). Applicants must meet the requirements of § 59 SächsHSG.
Leipzig University and the CTC strive for diversity and equal opportunities, as well as a higher proportion of women in science and teaching. Qualified female scientists are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preferential consideration.
Please apply by 2. July 2026 exclusively via Leipzig University’s recruitment portal: Leipzig University’s recruitment portal.
Further information on the CTC can be found at www.ctc-germany.org. For further questions, please contact the Dean and Chairman of the Appointment Committee, Prof. Dr. Holger Kohlmann via e-mail. The application documents will also be made available to the representatives and the supervisory board of the CTC. Representatives appointed by the CTC and the university will participate in the entire selection process, including the interviews.
