The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the largest practice-oriented higher education institutions in Bavaria. With focus areas ranging from technology over social sciences and economics to design and languages, THWS covers a wide subject spectrum. We accompany around 9,300 students in more than 70 degree programmes on their educational path. We tackle the challenges to all of society, like the energy system transformation, or the climate crisis, with innovative and international degree programme offers. We were pioneers in the conception of bilingual degree programmes (TWIN programmes), in establishing the first undergraduate degree in Hydrogen Technology, and the software-centred degree programme in Robotics. Digitisation is also an important focus area of our University. Within the frame of the Hightech Agenda Bavaria, the Free State of Bavaria is currently investing substantially in the further development of our University as part of the Bavarian AI-network. Thus, at the THWS location in Würzburg, a Center for Strong Artificial Intelligence, and at the location in Schweinfurt, a Center for Robotics were established.

More than 270 THWS professors are not only passionate about teaching, but also about conducting applied research in cooperation with companies, institutions, and social institutions from the region. Successful knowledge transfer in industry and society characterises our professors as well as interdisciplinary collaboration across ten faculties and 16 research institutions. Around 630 scientific, technical and administrative employees support them in their endeavours.

At our locations in Main Franconia, town meets country, and culture meets nature offering diverse leisure opportunities. In 2022, THWS was certified as a family-friendly higher education institution by the audit familiengerechte hochschule. THWS is supporting diverse life plans and family forms and actively promotes the reconciliation of family and working life of all THWS members.

Continuous growth, innovative teaching, and pioneering research characterise the atmosphere at THWS.

For an initial period of five years, the scientist shall, in addition to teaching, initiate and carry out application-oriented research and development projects (up to nine weekly hours per semester, i.e. 50 percent of the current teaching load, are allocated for the latter). Furthermore, the scientist shall promote networking of users, processors and tool manufacturers, and implement practice-oriented projects – also and especially in the course of teaching. The position is permanent.

Individual research and development performance are expected from the scientist. A five-year target agreement on this research and development performance is entered into. THWS strives to extend these periodically.

We are currently looking to fill the following position:

Faculty of Computer Science and Business Information Systems
W2 Professorship for AI Infrastructure (f/m/d)

Application reference: 06.1.736

The position is available at the earliest possible date. The place of employment is Würzburg.

We are looking for a committed personality with excellent theoretical and practical experience in the field of AI infrastructure to represent thefield in applied research and teaching.

You will be responsible for establishing a nationally and internationally visible research group focussing on research- and application-related AI infrastructure issues. These include topics like

• Training and inference of distributed systems
• Development of cloud-native infrastructure
• AI operationalisation (“MLOps”)
• Efficient data storage, management, and connection
• Latency or resource restrictions in AI applications
• Hardware implementations on graphics processing units

You will be part of the Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAIRO), the competence center for applied and international research driving strong artificial intelligence at THWS. You will cooperate with other CAIRO members on interdisciplinary AI questions that can be transferred to application scenarios in different industry sectors. Potential cooperations include automotive industry, finance, climate, or natural sciences. You will also be involved in intra- and inter-faculty research projects tapping the full potential of efficient AI infrastructure in specific fields, e.g. generative architectures, dynamic systems, or robotics.

Furthermore, we expect the willingness and ability to acquire third-party funds, manage research projects, and supervise junior researchers.

The faculty places great importance on the quality of teaching in terms of both technical content and didactics. The successful candidate will have teaching experience in specific topics of artificial intelligence and be prepared to give fundamental undergraduate lectures offered by the faculty.

For the professor's position we would also expect:

• Taking on courses from the additional study offers as well as related subject areas, also at other faculties, if required
• Willingness to regularly visit international universities with strategic relations to THWS
• Active participation in the further development of the faculty and the THWS
• Commitment in the internationalisation and self-administration of our University and participation in applied research projects and in the area of technology and knowledge transfer

In order to be employed as a Professor at our University, the following conditions must be fulfilled (Article 57 (3) of the Bavarian HigherEducation Innovation Act, BayHIG):

• an academic degree, preferably in a programme relevant for the professorship
• pedagogical aptitude, generally demonstrated through teaching and training experience
• outstanding research skills, usually proven by a doctoral degree
• extraordinary accomplishments in the application or development of research results and methods in at least five years of postdoctoral professional experience; three of those five years have to be completed outside of academia; employment as a trainee teacher (e. g. German Referendariat) or as academic or artistic staff in higher education can only account for up to two years; in exceptional cases, when a considerable part of five years' work was done in close cooperation between a higher education institution and an organisation/institution outside higher education, it can be counted as work experience outside of academia.

Our University is becoming a bilingual higher education institution. Therefore, you will be expected to offer the courses in both German and English. A very good command of English is a prerequisite.

Not only does the Free State of Bavaria offer ideal working conditions and excellent quality of life, but also special, state-specific salary regulations.

Fulfilling tasks, time flexibility and autonomy promote the balance between work, family and leisure time. Committed colleagues form a highly motivated team and will support you right from the start. Our University promotes professional equality for women and strives to significantly increase the ratio of women especially in academic staff. The faculty's officer for equal opportunities for women in science and the arts, Professor Dr. Anne Heß (anne.hess@thws.de), is happy to answer your questions.

Only persons under the age of 53 can become civil servants, all other persons will become public employees under private law. In case of essentially identical aptitude, skills and accomplishments, applicants with disabilities will be preferred.

This professorship is a full-time position. THWS promotes reconciliation of work and family life by offering candidates the opportunity to temporarily fill this position part-time (for a period of 1 to 2 years). After this period, employment can be continued in part-time in accordance with legal provisions.

The chair of the appointment committee, Professor Dr. Magda Gregorová (magda.gregorova@thws.de) is happy to answer subject-specific questions.