Researchers seeking a permanent academic position in Germany have an excellent opportunity to join one of the country’s respected research universities. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is inviting applications for a Tenured W2 Professorship in Animal Physiology within the Faculty of Natural Sciences I – Biosciences, Institute of Biology.

The university plans to appoint the successful candidate preferably from April 1, 2027. This permanent professorship is ideal for internationally recognized scientists with an outstanding research profile in animal physiology, evolutionary biology, biodiversity, or related fields. The position offers the opportunity to lead innovative research, teach future biologists, and contribute to one of Germany’s growing research hubs in sustainability and life sciences.

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About Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is one of Germany’s historic public universities, known for its excellence in research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The university’s long-term strategy focuses on three major research priorities:

• Knowledge, Culture and Education
• Sustainability
• Transformation

The new Professor of Animal Physiology will play an important role in strengthening the university’s Sustainability profile while contributing to interdisciplinary research across the biosciences.

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About the Professorship

The new W2 Professor of Animal Physiology will join the Institute of Biology’s Zoology Cluster, where researchers investigate biodiversity, evolutionary ecology, and organismal biology. The university is seeking a scientist whose research complements existing strengths while introducing innovative perspectives in animal physiology.

Particular emphasis is placed on research involving invertebrate organisms, especially projects that examine how animals adapt to changing environmental conditions. Potential research themes include:

• Physiological adaptations to environmental change
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of adaptation
• Functional animal physiology
• Evolutionary ecology
• Biodiversity research
• RNA and protein biology
• Integrative organismal biology

Applicants whose work bridges physiology with molecular, cellular, ecological, or evolutionary approaches are especially encouraged to apply.

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Research Expectations

Martin Luther University seeks internationally recognized scientists capable of establishing and leading ambitious research programs. Successful candidates should demonstrate:

• An internationally visible research profile
• Innovative scientific ideas
• Experience leading an independent research group
• A collaborative and interdisciplinary approach
• Success in securing competitive external research funding
• Strong publication record in high-impact journals

The university also welcomes applications from outstanding early-career research group leaders who have already demonstrated scientific excellence through publications and competitive grant success.

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Teaching Responsibilities

Teaching is a central component of this professorship.

The successful candidate will contribute to education across multiple academic levels while helping shape future biology curricula. Teaching duties include:

• Delivering undergraduate courses in Animal Physiology
• Teaching students enrolled in teacher education programmes
• Offering advanced Master’s-level lectures
• Contributing to international Master’s programmes
• Supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s research projects
• Supporting curriculum development
• Implementing innovative teaching methods

Applicants must submit a teaching concept outlining:

• Their educational philosophy
• Teaching methodology
• Ideas for course development
• Plans for the Animal Physiology modules

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Language Requirements

Most undergraduate teaching at Martin Luther University is conducted in German. Applicants are therefore expected to acquire sufficient German language proficiency for classroom teaching within three years if they are not already fluent. In addition to teaching, professors are expected to participate actively in university administration and academic governance.

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Required Qualifications

Applicants must satisfy the appointment requirements under Section 35 of the Saxony-Anhalt Higher Education Act. Essential qualifications include:

Academic Requirements

Candidates should possess:

• A Habilitation in a relevant discipline

or

• An equivalent record of internationally recognized scientific achievement

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Research Experience

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Independent research leadership
• A strong publication record
• Success in obtaining competitive third-party funding
• International scientific recognition
• Collaborative research experience

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Teaching Experience

Candidates must have:

• University-level teaching experience
• Demonstrated pedagogical competence
• Experience supervising students
• A well-developed teaching philosophy

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Administrative Responsibilities

In addition to research and teaching, the successful professor will actively contribute to university life.

Responsibilities include:

• Participating in academic self-governance
• Serving on university committees
• Supporting faculty administration
• Contributing to institutional development
• Participating in appointment procedures
• Assisting with quality assurance initiatives

Active engagement in academic leadership is considered an important part of the role.

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Research Environment

The Animal Physiology professorship will become part of the Institute of Biology’s collaborative research environment.

Current strengths include:

• Evolutionary ecology
• Biodiversity research
• Zoology
• Invertebrate biology
• RNA research
• Protein biology
• Functional biology

Researchers are encouraged to develop interdisciplinary collaborations across these fields while strengthening the university’s sustainability research agenda.

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Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Martin Luther University is committed to building an inclusive and supportive academic community. The university welcomes applications regardless of background and actively encourages diversity across its academic workforce.

Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply as part of the university’s commitment to increasing female representation in permanent academic positions. Applicants with disabilities are also encouraged to submit applications and will receive preference where qualifications are equivalent.

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Family-Friendly Working Environment

Martin Luther University has been recognized as a family-friendly university since 2009.

The institution actively supports:

• Work-life balance
• Family-friendly employment policies
• Equal opportunities
• Inclusive working conditions

These initiatives help create an academic environment where researchers can balance professional and personal responsibilities. This permanent W2 professorship combines research excellence, teaching, and academic leadership within one of Germany’s established research universities.

Successful applicants will benefit from:

• A permanent academic appointment
• Leadership of an independent research programme
• Opportunities to supervise graduate researchers
• Access to collaborative interdisciplinary research
• Strong institutional support for sustainability research
• Participation in international Master’s programmes
• Excellent work-life balance initiatives
• A family-friendly university environment

Researchers interested in biodiversity, physiology, evolutionary biology, and environmental adaptation will find this position particularly attractive.

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Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare a complete digital application that includes:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Copies of academic qualifications
• Description of scientific background
• List of publications
• Record of successful third-party funding
• Teaching experience
• Teaching concept
• Private contact address

A carefully prepared teaching concept is particularly important, as it forms part of the academic evaluation process. Applications in a digital format should include a complete curriculum vitae, copies of qualifications, a brief description of the candidate’s scientific background, a list of publications and successful third-party funding acquisition, and a description of previous teaching experience/teaching concept. Please include a private contact address and send applications via the Martin-Luther University’s ‘Berufungsportal’ at: https://berufungsportal.uni-halle.de

Contact person for queries pertinent to the position is Prof. Dr. Claudia Fricke, Tel.: 0345 55 26305, E-Mail: Claudia.Fricke@zoologie.uni-halle.de & Prof. Dr. Kay Saalwächter, the Family Affairs Officer at Martin Luther University, is available to answer questions regarding work-life balance (kay.saalwaechter@physik.uni-halle.de, Tel. 0345-5528560).

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Position Details

Position	W2 Professor of Animal Physiology
Employment Type	Tenured
Faculty	Faculty of Natural Sciences I – Biosciences
Institute	Institute of Biology
Preferred Start Date	April 1, 2027
Location	Halle (Saale), Germany