The Faculty of Medicine of Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Cluster of Excellence – Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI) invites applications for a
W1 Professorship (with W2 tenure track) in Restoration of the Adult Lung Architecture and Function
as of July 1st, 2027, for a period of five years pursuant to § 70 Para. 3 and 4 Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG). According to § 70 Para. 3 HessHG, applicants (m/f/d) should have gained a doctoral degree at an institution of higher education other than JLU or have been in academic employment at an institution other than JLU for at least two years after conferral of a doctoral degree. The duration of applicants’ scientific activity during and after completion of the doctoral degree should not exceed nine years or the duration of activity after the doctorate should not exceed four years. In the case of successful completion of the five-year W1 position, which is to be assessed in an evaluation procedure pursuant to § 70 Para. 2 HessHG, the appointment will be converted into a permanent W2 professorship. Proficient knowledge of German is expected.
The Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI; www.cpi-online.de) is a unique institute supported by the Excellence Strategy of the German Research Foundation (DFG), featuring a collaboration between JLU, Goethe University Frankfurt, and Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim. At JLU, CPI research is located on the Biomedical Research Campus, hosting the research facilities Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Institute for Lung Health (from 2027 on), Cluster of Excellence Cardio-Pulmonary Institute building, and the Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung. In this vibrant environment of internationally renowned basic and translational lung research, the CPI focuses on parenchymal, vascular, and immune compartments in lung physiology and disease as well as on heart and lung interactions in health and disease.
In the context of the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute at the Department of Internal Medicine, you are expected to establish and lead your own research group, supervise graduate students during their PhD studies, and generally represent the professorship’s field in both research and teaching.
The topic of this professorship includes analysis of regeneration processes in the lung after structural damage on molecular and cellular levels in experimental models and human lung tissue. The aim is to develop novel therapeutic approaches for restoration of the lung architecture and function. The research should integrate in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of lung injury and lung tissue repair in a translational approach.
You should have a vision for an innovative research program and a strong motivation to interact with research groups in basic, translational, and clinical lung science within the CPI and in further local, national and international research consortia, e.g. CRC 1213 – Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor Pulmonale, the German Center for Lung Research (DZL; www.dzl.de), the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF; www.dzif.de), and the Institute for Lung Health (ILH; www.ilh-giessen.de). Participation in the Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences (GGL), in the structured doctoral program (JLU TRAINEE), and in the clinician scientist program (JLU CAREER) is also expected, as is the independent acquisition of external funding, preferably from the DFG, the BMFTR, and the EU.
The integration of gender aspects into research and teaching is explicitly desired.
The universities of Giessen and Marburg have established the Research Campus of Central Hessen together with Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen – University of Applied Sciences. Within this framework, the two Faculties of Medicine engage in structured cooperation based on coordinated priorities. Accordingly, you are expected to demonstrate a willingness for interdisciplinary and inter-university collaboration within campus research foci and profile areas as well as participation in joint research projects.
You are required to have an internationally recognized scientific track record in the field as well as a multimodal experimental portfolio of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of lung injury (e.g. lung emphysema models) and lung tissue repair in a translational approach. The ability for interdisciplinary work is a prerequisite.
In addition to a university degree in natural sciences or medicine, you must demonstrate the qualifications necessary to carry out the duties in accordance with § 67 Para. 1 HessHG, including the ability to conduct scientific work. This is generally evidenced by an outstanding, thematically relevant doctoral degree. Initial, visible publication experience is required as well as experience in conducting independent research projects and participation in existing research networks. Initial experience in acquiring external funding is an advantage.
Additional prerequisites are leadership and coordination skills and a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student education within the graduate program Molecular Biology and Medicine of the Lung (MBML; www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/fb11/forschung/graduierte/mbml). Pedagogical aptitude is required, academic teaching experience and/or experience in postgraduate training is welcome.
In case the candidate exceeds the basic age limit of 50 years, a civil servant appointment under § 66 Para. 3 sentences 2 and 3 Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG) in conjunction with § 11 Hessian Career Regulation (HLVO) requires a specific functional interest.
The JLU welcomes qualified applications regardless of biological and social gender (m/f/d), disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, age as well as sexual orientation and identity. The JLU aims for a higher proportion of women in accordance with the women's promotion plan. We therefore particularly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. JLU is certified as a family-friendly university. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.
We strongly recommend candidates to refer to our fact sheet on application procedures. Applicants are encouraged additionally to fill in one of the forms (Bewerbungsbogen – application form).
Please send your application with the required documents via online form to the President of Justus Liebig University Giessen by 08/09/2026.
