READY FOR A PROFESSORSHIP?

Doctorate

A key aspect of the requirements for appointment is the “special aptitude for academic work”. This aptitude is “as a rule substantiated by the quality of a doctorate“ (e.g., see recht.nrw.de). Two federal states go a step further, requiring the “good quality of a doctorate” (Schleswig-Holstein) and “an above-average doctorate” (Lower Saxony). By using the phrase “as a rule”, the federal states suggest that a doctorate is not an absolute precondition for applying for a professorship. Hamburg, for example, explicitly states that this requirement may also be met by way of an “equivalent academic achievement”. Hesse states the same, with an additional reference stating that doctorates are in fact not common in some departments/faculties. While universities generally require a doctoral degree when applying for a professorship, practical experience is oftentimes more important for universities of applied sciences (see the section entitled “Specific Requirements for Professorships”). Using the time after one’s doctorate (dthe so-called „post-doc-phase“) for publishing academic research is thus seen as a very sensible investment. The number of such publications may well prove to serve as decisive “academic currency” when applying for a professorship.

Teaching experience

Those wishing to teach during their professorship must show that they dispose over the necessary educational capabilities. It is absolutely essential to demonstrate such suitability when applying for a professorship. Didactic capacity may be established by listing one’s independently conducted classes or seminars; for example, as an academic member of staff, a private,or public lecturer, by way of a deputy professorship, through participation in education and training programmes in the field of university didactics or the holding of a trial lecture or seminar within the framework of the appointment procedure.The description of the lectures should be as detailed as possible: When and where did the lecture take place, what was the subject of the lecture or seminar, what was the scope of the lecture, and so on.

Professional experience

The key requirement of future professors is that they have gained five years of professional work experience, three of which should have been gained outside of the university environment. Those striving for a professorship at a university of applied sciences are urged to decide well in advance which specialist area is best suited to their strengths and capabilities. As most professorships require practical experience in the specialist field of the professorship in question, candidates have the chance to choose professional positions that specifically meet these thematic requirements.

A professorship at a university of applied sciences calls for different career stages than those of a professorship held at a standard university. One particularly significant distinguishing feature is professional experience. Most of the Higher Education Acts of Germany’s federal states stipulate that professors at universities of applied sciences must account for a minimum of five years of professional experience in the development and application of academic methods and findings within their specialist field. At least three of these five years must have been spent outside of the university environment. Only Saxony-Anhalt is slightly less specific, requiring “work experience of several years”, of which three must be gained outside of the university environment.

Completed university degree

The most important requirement for a professorship is a completed university degree. As a rule, a master’s degree is required.

Research / Publications

A professorship consists not only of teaching, but research as well. Those applying for a vacancy must show that they dispose over a high degree of research experience, gained on an international level, if possible. Proof of such experience may be provided by way of a detailed list of research projects carried out by the candidate at either one or more universities or other types of research institutes, both nationally and internationally. Also, candidates should specify which publications they were involved in, where they were published and how much the candidate contributed to the collective authorship.