University professorship (W3) „Responsible Leadership“

Facing global challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and societal transformation, the question of responsible leadership is gaining increasing importance. Alongside economic objectives, scientific research is increasingly focusing on ethical, social, and ecological aspects, as well as considering diverse stakeholders.

Your Tasks

Hence, this endowed professorship, funded by the Karl Schlecht Foundation, is dedicated to responsible leadership. Concretely, it examines responsible leadership and its conditions, mechanisms of action, and effects. Potential research priorities include:

• ethical leadership and decision-making processes, as well as leadership behaviour at the intersection of societal and economic responsibility
• leadership development (e.g., self-leadership, emotional and social skills, resilience, conflict competence)
• leadership for sustainable development and transformation
• relationship-oriented leadership (e.g., dynamics between leadership and followership, fostering employees and teams)

The professorship will fulfil university responsibilities with a teaching load of 9 semester hours per week. This will primarily be conducted at the central academic institution "House of Competence" (HoC) at KIT, particularly to expand the offerings of the Leadership Talent Labs (LTL). Overall, the professorship contributes to the interdisciplinary competency development of students across all disciplines at KIT, through training and coaching programmes.

Additionally, the professorship will offer courses in the study programmes of the KIT Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (e.g., in the Liberal Arts and Sciences programme).

At the HoC, the professorship will take on the academic leadership of the LTL and the “Perspektivenlabor”, as well as prospective additional academic leadership roles. There are excellent collaboration opportunities with the “Leadership Talent Academy” (Career Service).

Your Profile

Required qualifications include an outstanding academic track record, evidenced by significant publications in international journals, as well as a habilitation, a successfully evaluated junior professorship, or equivalent achievements, along with proven teaching aptitude.

The willingness to train and coach in Responsible Leadership is required. Experience as a trainer or coach is advantageous. Additionally, the candidate is expected to have:

• experience in the conception and leadership of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research projects
• interest and talent for inspiring and developing people, as well as embracing diversity
• evidence of successful acquisition of third-party funding
• cross-disciplinary analytical and strategic thinking
• demonstrated experience in responsible team leadership
• willingness to participate in academic self-governance

Willingness to acquire proficiency in the German language may be required to conduct German-language instruction.

Organizationally, the professorship is affiliated with Division II – Informatics, Economics, and Society, the KIT-Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the House of Competence (HoC); a joint appointment with the KIT-Faculty of Economics and Business Engineering is welcome.

Employment is subject to Art. 14, par. (2) of the KIT Act in conjunction with Art. 47 LHG Baden-Württemberg (Act of Baden-Württemberg on Universities and Colleges).

We Offer

• Excellent Research Conditions & State-of-the-art Infrastructure : Benefit from a unique environment that combines university and large-scale research, and gain access to state-of-the-art equipment and interdisciplinary projects. This environment enables you to conduct both basic and applied research at the highest level.

• International Networking : You will work in a global network that encompasses international collaborations and English-language scientific communication. KIT promotes exchange with leading research institutions and industry partners worldwide.

• Transparent Career Paths & Personal Development : Clear development prospects, individual coaching, and a well-developed leadership development program support you in steering your academic career in a targeted manner.

• Family-friendly Offers : The KIT Dual Career Service supports you and your partner in integrating into the workforce, while flexible working time models and company childcare facilities make it easier to balance work and family life.

• Onboarding & Integration : A customized onboarding program will accompany you from your first day at work, enabling you to quickly get started in research, teaching, and the KIT networks and get off to the best possible start.

Salary

Salary is governed by the statutory provisions of the State of Baden-Württemberg and comprises the basic salary of salary grade W3.

In addition, the granting of performance-related pay components is possible. The family allowance is paid, where applicable, in accordance with civil service law.

Contact person in line-management

For subject-matter inquiries, please contact Prof. Dr. Bernhard Beckert , E-Mail: bernhard.beckert@kit.edu

The application comprises standard documents including a CV, list of publications, degree certificates, teaching evaluations, a description of your previous research and teaching activities and your contributions to the aforementioned fields (where applicable, also experiences in training and coaching for Responsible Leadership), alongside evidence of acquired third-party funding. Moreover, an exposé (no longer than three pages) outlining your planned research and teaching activities, as well as potential collaborations at KIT needs to be submitted.

Please send your application to

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Division II, Head of Division Prof. Dr. B. Beckert Preferred format: a single PDF file via email to: gs@bl2.kit.edu

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work.

We therefore welcome applications from all candidates. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal.

Application up to: 2026-11-10 Job posting number: 1228/2026

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