Senior Program Lead Teaching (m/f/x)

HPI is recognized as one of the leading university institutes for computer science (www.hpi.de). Our goal is to strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty with excellent research and practice-oriented teaching in computer science. At HPI, we are convinced that excellence is created when knowledge from different disciplines is collaboratively combined to create responsible and pioneering solutions for the future.
In our research clusters "Systems," "Data and AI," "Foundations," "Digital Health," "Security," and "Business and Society" researchers from various disciplines work together on topics relevant to solving the challenges facing society. The Digital Engineering Faculty of the University of Potsdam and HPI offers a computer science engineering degree program that is unique in Germany. 

In the course of its strong growth, the Hasso Plattner Institute is looking for the earliest possible start date and at its Potsdam location, for a

Senior Program Lead Teaching (m/f/x)

​The position is initially limited to two years and full-time.

About the HPI d—school

Founded in 2007, the HPI d—school has become the European Center for Design Thinking Education. Students from all kinds of fields develop human-centred solutions to complex problems, working with partners from corporations, startups, NGOs, and public institutions. Today the d—school builds on that foundation. Beyond the question of how something can be built, it puts at the centre the question of what should be built, and for whom.

Your role

We are currently developing a conceptual evolution of Design Thinking in the age of AI: In a world where almost any (digital) idea can be easily executed – what is truly desirable for humans and for humanity? We are looking for a colleague who loves that question and is excited to build towards the answers with us. You are looking for a role with real room to build, in which you create formats where capacities are built through action and reflection. You will work at the intersection of design, digital technology, and the consequences of technical decisions. We are looking for someone who can teach computer science and engineering students to reason about the decisions behind what they build, ideally because they have done that work themselves. 

Your future tasks

• Design programs: You translate the d—school's conceptual framework into running, repeatable formats. You develop learning formats for BA and MA students that build on and expand on the d—school's established Design Thinking practice, together with our program team


• Run formats: You own the learning formats by independently designing, leading, and coordinating them. You define learning goals, select frameworks and methods, and build coherent learning journeys. You commit to what works and change what does not


• Build a team over time: You take on leadership of the teaching area as it grows. A Program Manager who executes the formats joins in a later hiring round, and you help define and select them. From the start, you own the format work and collaborate closely with our team


• Work with partners: Define what a format needs from a partner; together with our team, bring project and content partners into your formats; and shape how they engage with students


• Coordinate within HPI: You work closely with the d—school and other HPI teams to realise formats inside an academic institution

Your skills

• Master's degree (or equivalent), preferably in innovation, digital technology, design, and/or education


• Conceptual strength to translate a still-evolving framework into durable, teachable formats for computer science and interdisciplinary students


• Solid grounding in Design Thinking and adjacent design practice, ideally with a track record of design responsibility for products, services, or processes


• Enthusiasm for teaching and empowering others, ideally in or near an academic environment


• Confidence coordinating projects and diverse stakeholders


• Familiarity with AI applications is an advantage


• Experience building and leading a team is an advantage


• Work experience in different industries, sectors, cultures or ecosystems is an advantage


• Professional fluency in English; German desired, with willingness to develop it welcomed

What we offer

• A multifaceted job, embedded in an international and dynamic working environment and embedded in a vibrant ecosystem at the intersection of digital technology and design


• Real room to build and make a difference through empowering others


• Regular training opportunities; close connection into scientific research


• Regular team events and workshops


• For problems of any kind (including those in your private life), you can use our external employee counseling service free of charge


• Attractive employee offers (corporate benefits)


• Company-subsidized public transportation ticket/ Deutschlandticket


• Possibility to work remotely (up to 2 days a week)


• 30 days of vacation plus two additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve


• Numerous sports facilities (tennis and basketball courts, beach volleyball court, calisthenics park, and participation in running events)


• Workplace on the HPI campus in Potsdam-Babelsberg (Griebnitzsee S-Bahn station), with fast transportation connections to Berlin

We look forward to receiving your application documents including a cover letter for this position and your salary expectations, by August 15, 2026. Please apply exclusively through our careers page. We will send out feedback on applications during calendar week 35. The first interviews will take place starting in calendar week 36.

We kindly ask for your understanding that email applications or résumés sent via email for preliminary review will not be considered.

Contact person HR-Recruiting

Tobias Pröchtel

[email protected]

Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH

Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3

14482 Potsdam