Ruhr University Bochum Opens Professorship in Human-Centered Security for Tenure-Track or W3

Bochum, Germany — Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), a major research-intensive university in the heart of Europe’s technology region, has announced a faculty opening for a Professorship in Human-Centered Security. The position offers either a W3 full professorship or a tenure-track to W3 appointment, depending on the candidate’s career stage and qualifications.

Hosted within RUB’s Research Alliance Ruhr, the role will advance research and teaching at the intersection of cybersecurity, human factors, privacy, and trustworthy systems design. The university is seeking scholars with a strong track record in research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative teaching.

Focus: Human-Centered Security Research

The new professor will lead efforts in designing, studying, and evaluating security and privacy technologies that prioritize human needs and societal impact. Key research themes may include:

• Human-computer interaction for secure systems
• Usable security and privacy engineering
• User behavior and cognitive models in security
• Trust, transparency, and ethical design in digital environments
• Socio-technical approaches to resilient infrastructures

The role emphasizes bridging technical methods with social science insights, empowering systems that align with human values and real-world use cases.

Teaching and Curriculum Leadership

The appointment includes leadership in curriculum development and instruction at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The successful candidate will teach courses that integrate technical foundations with human factors, preparing students for careers in cybersecurity, digital ethics, and trusted computing.

Teaching languages may include English and German, encouraging a diverse student body and international participation.

Collaboration, Funding, and Impact

Candidates are expected to contribute to collaborative research initiatives across RUB faculties and with external partners, including industry, government, and international research networks. Securing third-party funding, leading grant proposals, and publishing in high-impact venues are key components of the role.

The appointment supports RUB’s mission to drive innovation, societal relevance, and interdisciplinary dialogue across science and engineering domains.

Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants should hold a doctoral degree with a distinguished record in human-centered security or related fields such as cybersecurity, privacy engineering, human-computer interaction, or socio-technical systems. Evidence of impactful research, teaching excellence, and leadership potential is essential.

Both junior and senior researchers with a strong academic trajectory are encouraged to apply; the tenure-track route offers a path to a permanent W3 professorship based on performance.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Ruhr University Bochum strongly promotes diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion in academia. Applications from women, underrepresented groups, and international scholars are particularly encouraged.

Application Timeline

The application deadline is March 19, 2026, with interviews and review processes to follow in spring 2026. The position offers a competitive academic environment and the opportunity to shape the future of human-focused cybersecurity research and education.

This professorship represents a unique chance for leaders in security and technology to influence both scientific inquiry and the next generation of engineers and researchers in a globally connected field.