Professorship for Human-centered Security (m/f/d) (Open Rank: W3 or W2 Tenure Track to W3)

As part of the Research Alliance Ruhr, the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security (RC Trust) is seeking to fill the following position at the Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, as early as possible :

Professorship for Human-centered Security (m / f / d) (Open Rank : W3 or W2 Tenure Track to W3)

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will conduct empirical research on IT Security from the perspective of psychology or related social sciences. Research should address the complex interaction of different kinds of human users and technical systems from a user-centric perspective. As the position is a research professorship, teaching load is reduced to four weekly hours per semester. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to English-taught courses either in RUB's computer science or dedicated IT security study programs.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

The Center will enable research that connects computer science, security & privacy, and society in order to increase trust in the digital world. Thus, we particularly welcome applications with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research. An ideal candidate will have publications in both technical outlets but also in areas such as psychology, sociology, economics or other social sciences. Applicants should have an excellent track record in research in at least one of the following areas :

Human-centered evaluation of S&P mechanisms (empirical evaluations using qualitative and / or quantitative methods)

Human-centred approaches for designing S&P solutions (e.g., co-creation, participatory design)

Human factors in the development ecosystem of S&P solutions (e.g., decision makers, developers, CISOs, etc.)

Human-centered S&P in different kinds of intelligent systems and / or emerging technologies

Participatory and collaborative approaches to designing S&P in emerging technologies

Ethics in human-centric S&P, societal and social aspects

Incentives and manipulations in the online world

Applicants should complement the research activities of the Faculty of Computer Science and be willing to contribute to interdisciplinary collaborative research projects and collaborations within and outside the RC Trust and the Universities of the Research Alliance Ruhr. Prerequisites for the position are excellent scientific qualifications, usually demonstrated by a doctorate of outstanding quality, positive evaluation as a junior professor, habilitation or equivalent academic achievement, top international publications, as well as proof of suitability for academic teaching. Strong social and leadership skills and willingness to participate in academic self-administration complete your profile.

In the case of the W2 professorship with W3 tenure track, the successful candidate will initially be appointed as a temporary civil servant for five years. At the end of this five-year period at the latest, the tenure track will lead to continued employment as a tenured W3 university professor, provided that the necessary aptitude, competence and academic performance have been demonstrated and that the legal requirements pertaining to Section 38 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Education Act (HG NRW, Gesetz über die Hochschulen des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen) are met. In addition, the recruitment criteria of Sections 36 and 37 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Education Act (Gesetz über die Hochschulen des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, HG NRW) apply.

ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT

The professorship will be part of the recently established Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security. The Center will enable research that connects psychology, computer science, statistics, and cyber security in order to empower humans to understand, control and verify artificial intelligence technology as well as modern machine learning in (semi-) automated decision making.

The Research Center is linked to all three member universities of the University Alliance Ruhr. We offer you an excellent scientific environment and attractive opportunities for collaboration with renowned international, national, and regional partners. The professorship advertised here will be closely associated with the Faculty of Computer Science and the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security (HGI). HGI is home to the Cluster of Excellence «CASA : Cyber Security in the Age of Large-Scale Adversaries« funded with approximately 30 million euros by the DFG. In addition, a close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP) is possible. These outstanding research institutions position Bochum with its extremely vibrant digital ecosystem as one of the leading research locations for IT Security in Europe. There is also ample opportunity to interact with the well-developed start-up community in the area of security and computer science.RESEARCH ALLIANCE RUHR

The Research Alliance Ruhr, a collaborative initiative by the three major universities in the Ruhr area, was established through the Ruhr Conference. It encompasses four research centers : «One Health Ruhr,» «Chemical Sciences and Sustainability,» «Trustworthy Data Science and Security,» and «Future Energy Materials and Systems.» Additionally, it includes a «College for Social Sciences and Humanities.»

The Research Alliance Ruhr is appointing up to 50 research professors and offers numerous positions for research assistants. Join us in creating innovations for the future within Europe's most densely populated yet greenest university landscape, where a diverse range of scientific and industrial partners are readily accessible.

YOUR APPLICATION

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal.

Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5401. Online application

Apply by : 2026-03-15

Please provide the following documents : (1) CV, (2) list of publications, (3) documents demonstrating your academic and professional career, including copies of certificates, (4) an exposé of your research profile with reference to its relevance for the Research Center, (5) a list of successful external grant applications, (6) an overview of your experience in academic self-administration, and (7) a teaching-learning concept including information on your previous teaching activities.

Questions will be answered by Bilal Zafar (bilal.zafar@rub.de).

https : / / www.informatik.rub.de / en

DIVERSITY

Ruhr University Bochum is committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities. We encourage you to showcase your unique personality and expertise. Applications from women will receive preferential treatment in accordance with legal regulations. We also welcome applications from suitable candidates with severe disabilities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the Re-search Center Trustworthy Data Science can be found at : www.rc-trust.ai