W2 Professorship (m/f/d), Didactics of History at University of Kassel – Germany

Summary

The University of Kassel is inviting applications for a W2 Professorship in Didactics of History within the Department of Social Sciences, History Division. The successful candidate will represent history didactics across research and teaching, including teacher training programs, Bachelor's and Master's courses, and dissertation supervision. Duties also involve academic self-governance, acquiring third-party funding, and testing innovative teaching formats such as AI tools and digital media. Applicants must hold a university degree in History, a doctorate in History (subject-specific or didactic) graded at least 'very good', a habilitation or equivalent achievements, and demonstrated pedagogical aptitude. Candidates should ideally have three years of school teaching practice or document explicit engagement with school practice. The application deadline is not mentioned on the official advertisement. Applications must be submitted via the online form with reference number 39482.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Social Sciences, History Division
Position Type	W2 Professorship
Discipline	History, Didactics of History
Research Area	Didactics of History, Historical Cultural Research, AI and Digital Media in History Didactics
Degree Required	Doctorate in History (subject-specific or didactic)
Experience	Habilitation or equivalent scientific achievements, pedagogical aptitude, publications in peer-reviewed journals, experience with third-party funded projects, and three years of school teaching practice (or relevant engagement with school practice).
Required Documents	CV (including publications and courses taught), List of publications with 3 outstanding works highlighted, Research concept (max 3 pages), Teaching concept (max 3 pages), Supporting documents
Employer Contact	Prof. Dr. Kai Ruffing, Tel.: +49 561 804-1904, email: ruffing(at)uni-kassel.de

About the Project

The professorship covers the entire field of history didactics, with opportunities to research topics such as historical cultural research, the application of artificial intelligence and digital media in history teaching, and regional remembrance culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the field of history didactics in research and teaching
• Train future history teachers across various teacher training programs
• Conduct history didactics courses and supervise practical semesters
• Coordinate and develop teacher training curricula
• Teach in Bachelor's and Master's programs in history and supervise exams, theses, and dissertations
• Cooperate with the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) and Hessian Teacher Training Academy
• Acquire third-party funding and participate in academic self-governance

Required Skills

• A completed university degree in History and a doctorate in History (subject-specific or didactic) graded at least 'very good'
• Habilitation or additional scientific achievements
• Pedagogical aptitude demonstrated through teaching evaluations or portfolio
• Publications in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in or contribution to acquiring competitive third-party funding
• Three years of school teaching practice or demonstrated engagement with school practice

Who Should Apply

Scholars holding a doctorate in History (or History Didactics) graded 'very good' or higher, alongside a habilitation or equivalent achievements, who have established research and teaching expertise in history didactics and school teaching experience or engagement.

About the Employer

The University of Kassel is a dynamic university in Germany with approximately 21,000 students, offering expertise in science, technology, culture, and society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualification is required for this professorship?

Applicants must hold a university degree in History, a doctorate in History (subject-specific or didactic) graded at least 'very good', and a habilitation or equivalent scientific achievements.

Is school teaching experience required?

According to state laws, candidates should demonstrate three years of school teaching practice. If not available, applicants must describe alternative engagement with school practice.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications should be submitted via the university's online form, including the reference number 39482 in the subject line.

Who can be contacted for further questions?

Interested candidates can contact Prof. Dr. Kai Ruffing by phone (+49 561 804-1904) or email (ruffing(at)uni-kassel.de).