Professorships
A professorship at FAU is a position that involves teaching and research activities. In Germany, professors are usually appointed after completing a doctorate and a subsequent habilitation, where they demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research. Alternatively, a junior professorship can also be a stepping stone to an academic career.
Becoming a professor at FAU
To become a professor at FAU, it is important to have extensive research experience and publications in relevant subject areas. Networks and contacts in academia also play a major role.
The selection process is often highly competitive. Anyone aspiring to a career as a professor should therefore familiarize themselves with the requirements and pathways at an early stage. A high level of commitment to teaching and research is crucial for success in this position.
Find out more about the requirements and prerequisites for a professorship and the appointment process at FAU here.
Types of professorships
In Germany, there are three categories of professorships: W1, W2, and W3. A W1 professorship is a junior professorship aimed at young scientists and is usually temporary in order to facilitate their entry into an academic career. W2 and W3 professorships are regular tenure-track positions, with W2 professorships often providing a solid foundation for permanent employment, while W3 professorships represent the highest salary level and are usually associated with greater research and teaching responsibilities.
Click on the tabs for more information about W1, W2, and W3 professorships.
- Requirements for appointment as a W1 professor: PhD, doctoral degree or equivalent, research with high-potential
- Qualification period: Date of doctoral degree + maximum 4 years, for medicine: date of doctoral degree + maximum 7 years
- Fixed-term appointment with interim evaluation
- Possibility of career advancement (tenure track) to a W2 or W3 professorship
- a completed W1 assistant professorship is generally considered to be a qualification that is equivalent to a habilitation
- the title of ‘professor’ may only be used while employed as a W1 assistant professor
FAU Early Career Support offers numerous counseling, continuing education, financing, and networking opportunities for junior researchers.
Requirements:
- PhD, doctoral degree or equivalent awarded by a university
- Habilitation or equivalent postdoctoral qualifications: the habilitation is intended to demonstrate a person’s suitability to teach and research at universities as a professor for a specific subject. Experience in independent academic teaching and the ability to conduct independent research demonstrated through a habilitation thesis or multiple high-level academic publications; can also be demonstrated in the form of a positive evaluation as a W1 assistant professor.
- Peer reviewed publications
- Acquisition of third-party funding
W2 professorships can also be advertised with a tenure track to W3.
8 steps to becoming a professor
The appointment procedure at FAU
If you would like to apply for a professorship at FAU, you will find a good overview of the appointment procedure at our University below. The procedure can be divided into eight steps:
Applications must be submitted via FAU’s online application portal: berufungen.fau.de
All application documents can be entered or uploaded in the portal. Applicants can see the status of their application such as ‘colloquium’ or ‘evaluation’. Applicants receive a confirmation of receipt after submitting their application.
The applications are reviewed and evaluated by the appointment committee. It consists mainly of professors in the subject, the women’s representative, students and research staff.
After an initial selection process, the most suitable applicants are usually invited to give an academic presentation, to give an observed lecture, and to attend an interview and meet the appointment committee.
The appointment committee receives comparative evaluations and statements about the applicants for the further selection process.
Usually, three candidates or up to a maximum of five are selected and introduced to the Senate of FAU. The Senate issues a statement on this list and gives a recommendation to the President. The Executive Board decides whether the Senate’s recommendation should be followed.
The President has the legal right to make appointments. The first choice applicant receives a letter with an offer of appointment from the President. Negotiations may take place in the following period. At the same time, the remaining applicants are informed of their place on the list and will be contacted by the University according to their position if negotiations fail with the first candidate.
After receiving the letter with the offer of appointment, the first candidate indicates their willingness to enter appointment negotiations. They are requested to inform the University of their expected salary and desired equipment. The applicant may be invited to negotiations regarding salary and initial budgets with the President and Chancellor.
If an agreement is reached, the candidate must confirm their acceptance of the appointment in a formal written letter to the president. The President’s Office then arranges a date for the appointment certificate to be presented.