Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Opens W3 Professorship in Highway Engineering

Karlsruhe, Germany — The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), one of Europe’s premier technical universities, is inviting applications for a W3 Professorship in Highway Engineering. This senior academic position reflects KIT’s commitment to advancing transportation infrastructure research and educating the next generation of civil and highway engineers.

The W3 professorship represents a full professorial role with leadership responsibilities in both research and teaching. It offers a permanent academic appointment with a competitive salary structure under the German university system. Successful candidates will play a key role in shaping KIT’s Highway Engineering program and contributing to cutting‑edge solutions in pavement systems, transportation infrastructure planning, and sustainable mobility.

Role & Scientific Focus

The new professor will be expected to lead research and teaching in highway engineering and related fields, with areas of emphasis that may include:

• Design, analysis, and maintenance of road and pavement systems
• Traffic safety, load models, and structural resilience
• Sustainable materials and life‑cycle assessment for road infrastructure
• Digital technologies for transportation planning and intelligent networks
• Climate‑adapted infrastructure and resource‑efficient construction methods

The role calls for a strong international research profile, with an ability to secure competitive external funding and lead teams in collaborative projects spanning academia, industry, and government agencies.

Teaching and Academic Leadership

In addition to research, the professor is expected to deliver high‑quality instruction at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Core teaching responsibilities include courses on highway and transportation engineering principles, design methodologies, traffic behavior, and infrastructure systems. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in curriculum development, innovative teaching methods, and student mentorship.

Additionally, supervising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers will be an integral part of the professorship, fostering the growth of future leaders in civil and infrastructure engineering.

Collaboration and Impact

KIT emphasizes interdisciplinary work and collaboration across its engineering departments, research centers, and industry partners. The appointed professor will contribute to KIT’s broader transportation initiatives, working with experts in structural engineering, geotechnics, environmental sciences, and urban planning.

The role also offers opportunities to engage in applied research that supports public policy, sustainable mobility strategies, and real‑world infrastructure projects.

Qualifications & Expectations

Applicants should hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in civil engineering, transportation engineering, or a closely related discipline, along with a strong record of internationally recognized research. A distinguished publication record, experience in securing research funding, and prior teaching excellence are essential.

Demonstrated leadership in academic or industry research, as well as experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and project management, will strengthen a candidacy.

Diversity & Equal Opportunity

KIT is committed to diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion in its faculty appointments. Women and candidates from underrepresented groups in engineering are encouraged to apply.

Application Timeline

Prospective candidates are advised to prepare competitive application dossiers — including a curriculum vitae, research and teaching statements, representative publications, and reference letters — for review by expert committees during the spring recruitment cycle. Final selections typically involve scholarly presentations and lectures as part of the evaluation process.

This W3 Professorship in Highway Engineering is a strategic opportunity for established researchers to advance infrastructure science and shape transportation engineering education at a leading international technical university.