Scientific Career Officer

About the Role

The Division III "Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering" at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is dedicated to excellence in research and education in engineering disciplines. This division addresses pivotal future challenges such as energy, mobility, production, automation, and information technology, contributing significantly to technological progress and societal transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Play a central role in shaping the future-focused advancement of personnel and career development for professors by combining conceptual work with the management of key personnel processes.
• Develop innovative concepts and tools that support professor-level personnel and career development, promoting initiatives that foster a contemporary work and leadership culture.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses of personnel development needs to formulate strategies for appointment and succession planning, while advancing career pathways for scientific personnel.
• Coordinate and support leadership discussions with professors, facilitating implementation of agreed development actions and managing appointment negotiations as well as onboarding and offboarding procedures.
• Provide consultation to leadership and committees on strategic matters related to personnel and career development, prepare decision-making materials, analyses, and recommendations, and continuously enhance governance structures and organizational processes at KIT.

Candidate Profile

• A completed academic university degree (Master, Diploma) in economics, social sciences, administrative sciences, educational sciences, engineering, or a related field.
• Several years of professional experience in academic, university, or personnel management, or in organizational or personnel development.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement complex projects, with enthusiasm for actively managing change processes.
• Sound understanding of the structures and decision-making procedures within higher education institutions or research organizations.
• Desirable knowledge of appointment and governance procedures.
• Proficiency in MS Office and experience preparing concepts, decision documents, and presentations.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and advisory abilities with a confident and persuasive demeanor.
• Structured, self-directed, and solution-focused working style paired with organizational talent.

Benefits

• Meaningful work that enables top-level research and ensures that science contributes positively to society and the future.
• Flexible working hours including flextime and mobile work options, plus 30 days of annual leave to support work-life balance.
• Family-friendly policies such as the "KIT-Family +" program, which offers childcare, holiday programs, a parent-child office, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Career and personal development support through structured onboarding, diverse training opportunities, and individual advancement programs.
• Health promotion initiatives including sports courses and mental health support under the motto "Fit at KIT – with body, mind, and soul."
• Additional perks like a company pension scheme (VBL), a monthly 25 Euro subsidy for the Jobticket BW, and various cultural and leisure activities.

Additional Information

• The workplace locations are Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen and Karlsruhe.
• The employment contract duration is 2 years.
• The role is classified under salary grade EG 13 TV-L, with level determined according to individual qualifications and expertise.
• KIT values diversity among its workforce and encourages applications from individuals with differing perspectives and backgrounds. Applications from people with recognized disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.
• The application deadline is August 27, 2026.
• Reference number for this posting: 332/2026.