Professorship in Sustainable Freight Transport Systems and Transport Logistics, University of Kassel, Germany

Summary

The University of Kassel is inviting applications for a joint W2 Professorship in Sustainable Freight Transport Systems and Transport Logistics within the Kassel Institute for Sustainability and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will contribute to interdisciplinary research bridging value chains, freight transport, and sustainable production systems. Teaching duties are divided equally between sustainability degree programs and transport engineering courses, partially held in English. Candidates must hold a doctorate and a habilitation (or equivalent output), alongside pedagogical aptitude and demonstrated teaching engagement. Applications must be submitted online by December 30, 2026.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Kassel
Department	Kassel Institute for Sustainability and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Position Type	W2 Professorship
Discipline	Civil and Environmental Engineering / Transport Logistics
Research Area	Sustainable Freight Transport Systems and Transport Logistics
Degree Required	Doctorate / PhD
Experience	Habilitation or equivalent additional scientific achievements, pedagogical aptitude, and experience in academic teaching.
Salary	W2
Language	German and English
Deadline	2026-12-30
Required Documents	Curriculum Vitae, Certificates, Diplomas, List of scientific publications, Three selected publications, Research concept (max. 3 pages), Teaching concept (max. 3 pages), List of previous courses, Teaching evaluations, Higher education didactics training certificates, Concept for connection to the Kassel Institute for Sustainability (max. 3 pages)
Employer Contact	Prof. Dr. Angela Francke, Tel.: +49 561 804-7703, Email: angela.francke(at)uni-kassel.de
Employer Address	Mönchebergstraße 19, 34125 (headquarters); 34109 (postal address), Hesse

About the Project

Research focuses on the intersection of value chains, freight transport, and sustainable production systems. Key focus areas include systemic analyses of freight transport, trade, and economic development; modeling freight transport systems and infrastructure policy; and comprehensive sustainability assessments of ecological, social, and economic impacts of transport strategies. Integration of data management and AI methods is also sought.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver 50% of teaching load in sustainability degree programs and 50% in civil and environmental engineering programs
• Develop new sustainability-focused course offerings
• Conduct independent interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in sustainable freight transport systems and transport logistics
• Acquire sufficient German language skills for teaching and academic self-governance tasks
• Participate in academic self-governance

Required Skills

• Completed qualified doctorate and habilitation or habilitation-equivalent achievements
• Pedagogical aptitude and engagement in academic teaching
• Pronounced willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration
• English teaching capability and acquisition of German language proficiency

Who Should Apply

Academics with an outstanding research record, a doctorate, and a habilitation or equivalent achievements in sustainable freight transport, transport logistics, supply chains, or transport modeling. Applicants must demonstrate teaching experience, readiness for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to teach in English while acquiring German proficiency.

Benefits

• Family Welcome Service
• Dual Career Service
• Certified family-friendly university

About the Employer

The University of Kassel is a dynamic German university hosting around 21,000 students, featuring a broad profile spanning natural sciences, technology, culture, and society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is December 30, 2026.

What qualifications are required for this professorship?

Applicants must hold a doctorate and a habilitation or equivalent academic achievements, along with pedagogical aptitude.

What are the language requirements for teaching?

Teaching must partially be conducted in English, and candidates are expected to acquire sufficient German language skills for academic duties.

Where will the professorship be primarily based?

The main headquarters of the professorship will be located at the Kassel Institute for Sustainability.