Professor (W1, tenure-track) of Computational Health

Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt

Goethe University Frankfurt am Main invites applications for the position of

Professor (W1, tenure-track) of Computational Health: Modeling the Drivers and Impacts of Planetary Polycrisis, especially Climate Change

at the Center for Critical Computational Studies (C³S). This civil servant or public employee position will start as soon as possible. This is a tenure-track position for an initial six-year term. If tenure is approved at the end of the term, the position will be made permanent and promotion to the rank of Full Professor (W2) will be granted. This position is open to persons at an early stage of their academic career who have not yet completed additional academic achievements such as a habilitation or an equivalent qualification. You will establish a research program contributing to C³S's cross-disciplinary research focus “Earth–Nature–Society–Human”, which unites scholars from Earth system science, ecosystem modeling, epidemiology, economics and computational social science to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and related planetary stressors. Your tasks will include developing and/or applying advanced computational techniques to explore how climate change, environmental disruptions, and other planetary-scale challenges affect human health, forming an essential pillar of a holistic health (incl. One Health) framework by recognizing the interdependence of planetary and ecological integrity as well as human well-being. You will be expected to create and/or apply integrative models using methods such as network theory, system dynamics, big-data analytics, agent-based simulations, and machine learning that may couple climate projections, epidemiological trends, ecological changes, and social factors to identify critical pathways of vulnerability and resilience, guiding decision-makers as they craft effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. The main duties of the post are placing quantitative health modeling within the “Earth–Nature–Society–Human” theme to strengthen collaboration across disciplines, focusing on how planetary transformations ripple through communities and health systems, and illuminating increasing adaptive capacities in response to extreme weather events, socio-economic inequalities, and large-scale disruptions. The new professorship will add an essential dimension by focusing on how these planetary transformations ripple through communities, health systems and/or influence the broader dynamics of global health. In your teaching you should design and teach cross-disciplinary courses that train the next generation of scientists, policymakers, and community leaders to work at the intersection of global environmental change and public health, teaching students to apply quantitative methods to assess risk, forecast health outcomes, and evaluate policy trade-offs under diverse climate scenarios. We are looking for candidates who will generate knowledge that informs more equitable and sustainable responses to climate change and prepare future leaders to anticipate emerging threats, translate modeling results into actionable insights, and guide humanity toward a healthier, more resilient coexistence with Earth's natural systems. Candidates should be either physicians (Dr. med.; MD) with methodological background in informatics or scientists (Dr. rer. nat. etc.; PhD) with a strong interest and experience in medical topics. Your publication record should demonstrate your competency in the field of computational health, climate change impacts on health, or related interdisciplinary areas. You should have research experience in advanced computational techniques, health modeling, or environmental-health intersections as well as an interest and capacity to pursue research in another of these areas. A proven track record of obtaining research grants is desirable. The formal hiring requirements are defined in sections 67, 68 and 70 of the Hessian Higher Education Act (Hessisches Hochschulgesetz). Goethe University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. In particular, we are welcoming applications by qualified women and people with a migrant background. At Goethe University, a special emphasis is placed on creating and sustaining a family-friendly work and research environment. Where applicants are otherwise equally qualified, preference is given to candidates with disabilities or equivalent. The same applies to women in fields in which they are under-represented. To apply, please submit a CV, a list of publications, an overview of your research and teaching activities as well as transcripts and a selection of recent course evaluations online at https://berufungsportal.uni-frankfurt.de by 16 November 2025. If you have any scientific questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Joacim Rocklöv at joacim.rockloev@uni-heidelberg.de. For other questions, please contact application@c3s.uni-frankfurt.de. Further information about the appointment process, the legal framework and data protection: www.professorship-vacancies.uni-frankfurt.de.