Full Professor of Experimental Gravitational Wave Detection

The Faculty of Sciences at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) invites applications for a

Full Professor of Experimental Gravitational Wave Detection (salary group W3)

at the Department of Physics at the Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics (ECAP). This is a full-time and permanent position to be filled by the earliest possible starting date.

We seek to appoint an internationally recognized leader in the field. The professorship will pursue the key research priority of Physics and Mathematics of the Cosmos at the Faculty of Sciences at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and will be actively involved in the Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics (ECAP). At present, the key research priorities at ECAP are gamma, neutrino, X-ray and multiwavelength astronomy, theoretical gravitational physics, and technology transfer to medical applications. Gravitational wave astronomy is to be added as a further research priority.

The successful candidate should establish research at ECAP in the area of optical precision metrology in astroparticle physics, in particular for sensor networks for gravitational wave detection. The ECAP laboratory research building offers outstanding infrastructure for experimental work and ideal conditions for making a contribution towards instrumentation or the development of detectors for gravitational wave detection for ground or satellite-based experiments. We would welcome close collaboration between the professor and the working groups in experimental and theoretical physics at FAU.

The successful candidate will have an outstanding track record in research and teaching. They are required to have a university degree and a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline and additional postdoctoral qualifications (either a habilitation or equivalent academic qualifications). These qualifications may also have been achieved in a non-university context or through a junior faculty position (for example as assistant professor).

The successful candidate is expected to carry out administrative duties and take a proactive approach to raising third-party funding. FAU pursues a policy of intense student mentoring and expects its teaching staff to be present during lecture periods. Candidates who are able and willing to teach in both English and German are preferred.

In its pursuit of academic excellence, FAU is committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach, which supports and encourages all underrepresented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. FAU is a family-friendly employer and responsive to the needs of dual-career couples.

Please submit your complete application (CV, list of publications, teaching concept [1 page] and research concept [2 pages], list of third-party funding, copies of certificates and degrees) [preferably in English] online at https://berufungen.fau.de by January 16, 2026, addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.