Endowed Full Professorship of Artificial Intelligence (full-time, open rank)

Zeppelin University (ZU) in Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance is a state-approved privately endowed university with BA, MA, and PhD programs in the fields of economics, politics and psychology. ZU is dedicated to multidisciplinarity, internationality and individuality in both research and teaching.

Zeppelin University is establishing a new Endowed Professorship in Artificial Intelligence, as part of its strategic repositioning. This professorship, funded by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, serves as a key strategic pillar to strengthen evidence-based, data-driven education across all disciplines and to advance ZU’s profile at the intersection of technology, society, and responsible leadership.

• Proven experience in Artificial Intelligence (developing Intelligent Models, ML & AI Systems, algorithmic decision-making)
• Academic background in computer science, mathematics, statistics, econometrics, or related fields
• Developing an interdisciplinary research agenda in AI, covering topics such as:
  • Machine Learning: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning
  • Deep learning: neural networks, representation learning, generative models
  • AI Systems: model deployment, evaluation, and lifecycle management
  • Human-AI Interaction: explainability, transparency, and trust
  • Responsible AI: fairness, accountability, ethics, and governance
  • AI for Socio-Technical Systems and Real-World Applications
• Experience in the successful acquisition of third-party funding (research grants)
• Experiences in collaboration with industry would be an advantage

• Provide university-wide teaching, e.g., courses like:
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning and Generative AI
  • AI Systems and Model Deployment
  • Explainable AI and Responsible AI
  • Human-AI Interaction and AI in Society
• Supervise research, project, and thesis work across all study programs and the Graduate School
• Contribute to transfer activities with industry and societal partners
• Commitment to academic self-governance, internationalization, and strategic development of Zeppelin University
• Work in close collaboration with the other chairs endowed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG:
  • Chair of Data Science & Data Engineering
  • Chair of Systems of Virtual Reality
• Extract value from data through advanced AI methods and contribute to research on responsible AI in socio-technical contexts

The position enables integrated research, joint teaching formats, and practice-oriented transfer activities, forming a coherent interdisciplinary environment for innovation and scientific excellence.

By joining Zeppelin University, you will shape a new generation of leaders who combine analytical excellence, technological literacy, and societal responsibility. You will play a significant role in positioning the university for the digital age. You will teach courses characterized by small class sizes and close interaction with highly motivated students.

Working with ZU, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful and prosperous areas in Germany, the Lake Constance region, which offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. Lake Constance is located between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

To be eligible for the position, applicants must meet the requirements for appointment pursuant to § 47 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Baden-Württemberg. In particular, they must hold a doctoral degree in the relevant discipline and demonstrate a track record of significant independent research contributions to the field.

Zeppelin University is an equal opportunity employer. The university is committed to fostering a family-friendly work environment and promoting gender equality in academia. We therefore especially encourage applications from female scholars. Applicants with disabilities who are equally qualified will be given preferential consideration.

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