Tenure Track Professor of Physics Education Department of Physics

Uni Graz: Job Portal

Department of PhysicsFaculty of Natural Sciences

Tenure Track Professor of Physics Education

• Application deadline21.10.2026
• Salary CategoryA2
• Job ProfileTenure Track Professorship
• Employment StartMarch 2027
• Hours per week40 h/w
• Duration of ContractTemporary employment with option for permanent position
• Temporary Employment6 years with a qualification agreement

Job Description

Initially the successful candidate starts as an Assistant Professor with a qualification agreement for a fixed term tenure phase of six years. After successful completion of the qualification goals, the position will be converted into a permanent Associate Professor position.

The tenure-track professorship in physics education is strategically positioned with a strong interdisciplinary focus, strengthening natural science education by integrating physics, chemistry, and biology. In research and teaching, it promotes cross-disciplinary approaches, innovative methodologies, and the use of modern media, particularly in teacher education. Its goal is to enhance scientific competencies and science communication, enabling students to develop a connected and integrated understanding of the natural sciences.

Employment Requirements

• Austrian or equivalent foreign higher education degree corresponding with the position (doctorate/PhD) in the field of Physics Education Research
• Outstanding academic qualifications in research and teaching in the relevant discipline and for the profile of the professorship (commensurate with stage of academic career and interruptions in employment due to caring responsibilities)
• Several years of experience as post-doc or in a similar position
• Skills in attracting subject-specific project grants
• Skills in higher science education didactics including the use of digital media
• Gender mainstreaming and diversity management skills
• Methodological expertise in the field of physics education with a proven ability to integrate science education issues (physics, chemistry, biology) in an interdisciplinary manner
• Experience in interdisciplinary research and teaching, particularly in the development and implementation of approaches that transcend the boundaries of traditional natural science disciplines
• Experience in handling new media and digital teaching/learning environments, particularly in the context of basic natural science education at university and school level
• Experience of teaching in schools, at least in project-based learning
• Methodological competence in qualitative and quantitative research methods of empirical education research
• Ability to conceptualise and implement subject-specific didactic experiments and to teach these skills to teacher candidates in a practical manner
• Commitment to science communication and the teaching of scientific competencies, including with regard to societal relevance and skepticism toward natural science
• Willingness to collaborate and networking skills
• Excellent German and good knowledge of English
• International experience in presenting papers and delivering lectures
• Preferred: Previous position at a university/research institution outside the applicant’s home country

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, aiming for academic excellence and integrity in research and teaching. He/she will have demonstrated ability to collaborate constructively in a responsible manner and inspire colleagues and students in an interdisciplinary, internationally oriented context.

We offer a diverse, challenging, team-oriented working environment and a high degree of personal responsibility. Working hours are flexible and there are many options for further education and personal development.

The minimum remuneration as stated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement is € 82,656.00 gross per year after signing the Qualification Agreement.

Application Documents

• Letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications, numbered, with a complete bibliographic information, sorted by
  • monographs
  • (co-)edited volumes
  • journal articles
  • other information
• Submission of the three most important publications
• Presentation of any teaching and lecturing activities
• Presentation of any previous research projects and collaborations
• Exposé of future plans and goals in the field of research

Please submit your application documents in German.

Hearings

Planned dates of the applicant`s presentation: 07.01.2027 - 08.01.2027

About us

At the University of Graz, researchers and students work across a broad disciplinary spectrum to enlarge our knowledge, and find strategies to deal with challenges our society is confronted with and to shape tomorrow’s world. The University of Graz is a place which combines high quality academic research and teaching, where achievement is rewarded, careers are promoted, and social diversity is encouraged – all within a modern, award-winning working environment. Our motto: We work for tomorrow. Join us!

The field of Physics Education at the Department of Physics, University of Graz, focuses on how physics content can be taught in a way that is effective for learning, easy to understand and tailored to the target audience. The focus is on training of physics teachers, as well as on the development of subject-specific education research. Key aspects include language-conscious and diversity-sensitive physics teaching, experimentation, lesson planning and reflection, and issues of participation and equal opportunities. DINAMA complements this work as a practice- and development-oriented division in which innovative approaches to teaching the natural sciences are developed, tested and made accessible to different target groups. The focus is on linking subject-specific didactic research, educational innovation and the transfer of findings into practice.

Contact

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claudia Haagen-Schützenhöfer ([email protected])

Institute Website

The University of Graz is committed to increasing the proportion of female employees, especially in leadership roles. We therefore encourage qualified female colleagues in particular to apply for this position. In case of equal qualifications, women will receive priority consideration.

Please note that in order to comply with the applicable data protection regulations, we can only accept applications via our web-based applicant tool for this vacant position.