In 1854 Bunsen, who was working at Heidelberg, encouraged and supported Kirchhoff to move there. Kirchhoff accepted the offer of an appointment as professor of physics and he began a fruitful collaboration with Bunsen. He shared in the academic and social excitement generated in Heidelberg by the circle gathered around Helmholtz .
Sa 1854 Bunsen, na noon ay nagtatrabaho sa Heidelberg, hinihikayat at sinusuportahan Kirchhoff upang ilipat doon. Kirchhoff tinanggap ang alok ng isang appointment bilang propesor ng physics at siya ay nagsimulang isang kapaki-pakinabang na may collaboration Bunsen. He shared sa akademiko at panlipunan takot na nabuo sa Heidelberg sa pamamagitan ng mga bilog na natipon sa paligid Helmholtz.