Professor W2 (m/f/d) Human Geography specializing in the governance of urban and regional transformation processes

The Faculty of Geography and Geosciences at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum invites applications for the position of a Professor W2 (m/f/d) in Human Geography specializing in the governance of urban and regional transformation processes commencing at the earliest possible date.

The holder of the position will represent the subject of Human Geography specializing in the governance of urban and regional transformation processes in research and teaching.

The future holder of the position will be responsible for research and teaching in the field of human geography with a focus on the governance of urban and regional transformation processes. The professorship is a central component of the Institute of Geography's focus area ‘Transformation of Metropolitan Areas’ and plays a key role in the development of joint research projects with partners at the Institute, at RUB and in the University Alliance Ruhr with its competence field of metropolitan research.

The professorship is concerned with the theoretical and empirical research and teaching of governance structures and processes of spatial transformations of cities and regions, taking into account their embedding in different levels of planning (multilevel governance). A particular focus is on comparative research into the supporting and inhibiting factors of urban and regional development governance that is oriented towards sustainability, resilience and equity. Proven methods in qualitative and/or quantitative methods of empirical social research are required. A degree in geography is desirable, a doctorate in geography or a related subject with above-average results is required.

The holder of the professorship is significantly involved in the further development, organisation and teaching of the international master’s degree programme Redesigning the Post-Industrial City (RePIC) and teaches in German and English in the geography degree programmes: B.Sc., B.A. and M.Sc. with a specialisation in urban and regional development management. The focus is on the compulsory and compulsory elective modules in human geography, including excursions. The establishment of new co-operations within the framework of the international university consortium UNIC – European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition is desired. The supervision of final theses is a prerequisite.

We are looking for an outstanding researcher who will make an important contribution to the further development of the profile of the Faculty and the Institute of Geography. A high level of commitment to the further development of the Institute's focus on the transformation of metropolitan spaces and the competence field of metropolitan research in the University Alliance Ruhr is expected. The establishment and further development of co-operations with the section of Political Science at the RUB and the Faculty of Spatial Planning at the TU Dortmund University are particularly desirable.

Requirements

Positive evaluation as a junior professor, habilitation or equivalent academic achievement and evidence of special aptitude are just as much required as the willingness to participate in the self-governing bodies of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and to generally get involved in university processes according to Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s mission statement. The candidate has to meet the appointment requirements according to section 36 ff. Hochschulgesetz NW.

We expect furthermore:

• internationally visible and networked research in the above-mentioned subject area – proven by high-quality publications in specialist journals with peer-review procedures according to international standards;
• pedagogical aptitude and a strong commitment to teaching;
• a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary academic work;
• the willingness and proven ability to acquire externally funded research projects;
• the ability and willingness to engage in inter- and transdisciplinary academic work.