The Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) is an innovative cooperation model between RWTH Aachen University and Forschungs-zentrum Jülich.

RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s pre-eminent Universities of Excellence, which entails the highest quality in teaching and world-class research. RWTH addresses bold, scientific questions; it also assumes a profound responsibility toward society and transfers its knowledge into meaningful applications. In a dynamic, creative, and international environment, RWTH develops solutions to tackle both current and future challenges.

Forschungszentrum Jülich is a member of the Helmholtz Association and conducts research in the fields of information, energy, and bioeconomy on a climate-friendly energy system, a resource-efficient economy, and a digitized society. To this end, Jülich combines its competence in natural, engineering, and life sciences with its unique expertise in high-performance computing and utilizes its unique scientific infrastructure. More than 7,200 colleagues at one of Europe’s largest research centres work for a changing society: be part of it!

We are seeking a new director with the ability to head a large and cutting-edge institute in electronic materials and devices, particularly researching memristive materials and devices for energy-efficient neuromorphic computing. The candidate should also lead the exploration of new materials, such as avenues towards nanoionics devices for spintronics, photonics, quantum- and related nanotechnologies as well as cross-links to energy materials and fundamental oxide ionics.

The new director should have the ability to discover and interpret new phenomena in condensed matter, to develop new materials and functional nanostructures and to innovate in both experimental methods and theoretical understanding, with a strong motivation toward potential long-term applications in computing, information technology, sensing, storage, and beyond.

Relevant research activities in materials exhibiting strong electron correlations, topological properties, or ion-driven metal-to-insulator transitions are desirable to link between memristive neuromorphic materials and the quantum materials investigated in neighbouring Peter Grünberg Institutes.

Another relevant research area is in amorphous oxide-based semiconductors for two and three-terminal devices, particularly to enable 3D fabrication and novel functionalities coupling electrical, ionic, and thermal degrees of freedom.

It will be essential to have close interactions with other PGI and Forschungszentrum Jülich institutes, such as in emerging and quantum materials, neuromorphic computing, neuromorphic algorithms and software, as well as in neuroscience, and circuit design to ensure alignment with the research field “Information” of the Helmholtz Association’s Program Oriented Funding. The candidate will benefit from conducting research within the Helmholtz large scale facilities for advanced characterization and fabrication, for example the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and the Helmholtz Nano Facility. The new director will build upon existing infrastructure at the Peter Grünberg Institutes (including e.g. thin film synthesis, device fabrication, electrical characterization, and spectroscopy facilities).

The institute will be part of the Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, Section Future Information Technologies (JARA-FIT) and the Chair will be affiliated to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the RWTH Aachen University in a W3 full professor position according to the Jülich model. The institute participates in well-funded research, including the NEUROTEC and NeuroSys programs, and will have the opportunity to participate in future coordinated activities (e.g. a planned multi-disciplinary Cluster of Excellence contributing to the research field).

The applicant must have an ability to lead and manage a large interdisciplinary research team, including the acquisition of competitive third-party funding. A Ph.D. degree in physics, electrical engineering, materials science or related areas is required, as well as an outstanding publication and leadership record.  Teaching requirements of two hours/week have to be fulfilled by contributing courses primarily within the graduate-level curricula of the Faculty.

The requirements include a university degree, a doctoral degree and additional research experience, e.g., evidenced through a habilitation (post-doctoral lecturing qualification) or equivalent achievements gained as a university researcher or junior professor or in a research position at a university, a research institution, in industry, administration, or in another societal field. Furthermore, good teaching skills are also essential. The application should include the usual supporting documents (CV, certificates, lists of publications, teaching experience, brief summary of previous research activities including details of third-party funding, and a research concept for the position advertised).

Applications should be in English and shall be submitted until October 8, 2023. They should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht, Chair of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich, and to Prof. Dr. Jens-Rainer Ohm, Dean of Faculty 6 at RWTH Aachen University, and sent preferably by email to PGI-7_recruitment@jara.org.
Please note, however, that communication via unencrypted email poses a threat to confidentiality as it is potentially vulnerable to unauthorized access by third parties. For information on the collection of personal data pursuant to Articles 13 and 14 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), please visit https://www.rwth-aachen.de/gdpr-information.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender. RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich are certified family-friendly employers and have dual career programmes in place. We are committed to encouraging women in their careers and therefore particularly welcome applications from women. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favoured for a specific reason. Applications from suitable candidates with disabilities are explicitly encouraged. Upon acceptance of the position, support will be offered through a comprehensive human resource development program.

Please note that at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at RWTH Aachen University, another W3 professorship "Materials for Advanced Electronics", is advertised at the same time as this professorship.

For further information on joint applications, visit https://go.fzj.de/appointments.