Would you like to apply for a professorship at THU? That’s great! We’d be happy to explain our appointment procedure and what plays an especially important role in our decision to award a professorship.
We’ll give you an overview of the differences between an academic appointment procedure for a professorship and a conventional recruitment process.
Interested? Then take a look at our job vacancies.
Was your ideal position not listed yet? Then why not sign up to our jobs newsletter?
Jobs newsletter
We look forward to receiving your application to the THU!
Here is some important information about the appointment procedure.
Our Head of Human Resources would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. You can contact her via phone or e-mail:
Sandra Wagner
Tel.: +731 96537-489
email: Sandra.Wagner@thu.de
Your application
In the job description we state what we require and expect from candidates. We also provide information about the department and the subject area for the role concerned. Do you have specialist expertise and would like to get involved in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer? Then we look forward to receiving your application. Present your academic achievements and experience in reference to the requirements and expectations for the job.
Legal requirements
There are particular requirements which must be fulfilled if you wish to become a professor. These are specified by the Baden-Württemberg State Higher Education Act (LHG in German) and are binding for all the universities in the State.
- You must possess an academic degree qualification and have a particular aptitude for scientific work which, according to the LHG, is generally evidenced by the successful completion of doctoral studies, or a special artistic talent.
- Furthermore, we expect special achievements in the application of or the development of scientific knowledge during a five-year career. In general, three of these years must have been spent in a role outside academia.
- You need to provide evidence of your pedagogical and didactic skills through practical experience in teaching – or by participating in training courses for academic instruction. Before applying for a professorship, applicants often take on a teaching role at a university or a university of applied sciences.
What is a professorship appointment procedure?
The professorship appointment procedure is a predefined process in which the appointment committee plays a central role. This consists of professors, students, and representatives from businesses in the region.
The overall procedure is relatively complex, involving multiple university of applied sciences boards, as well as being bound by legal stipulations and quality standards. It is significantly different to a conventional application process in a company, which is generally much quicker. It is our goal to find the perfect match for the relevant department and our University of Applied Sciences. It goes without saying that you enjoy working at THU and have a long-term commitment to your role – generally for decades. The period between the invitation for applications and the decision to award a professorship is generally several months.
Although the appointment procedure may seem long for applicants: it’s worth giving it a go and attempting to achieve the career goal of becoming a professor. Our professors often feel their work is not a job like any other, but a “calling” to a role offering a great degree of freedom and countless opportunities to develop. More on this subject: 7 reasons for a professorship at THU.
How does the professorship appointment procedure work?
Our invitation
Overall, the appointment committee pays heed to a series of criteria, such as academic performance, teaching quality, appropriateness for the degree program, and research potential. Essentially, we are looking for suitability in terms of subject matter and personal aptitude.
The appointment committee makes a preselection of candidates based on their applications. Then we invite the applicants who fundamentally fit the role we are looking to fill.
Have you received an invitation from us? We look forward to getting to know you better. We're interested in your skills and experiences and would like to find out whether you are a good fit with the relevant department and our University of Applied Sciences. You will receive the opportunity to get to know our University of Applied Sciences better, and talk to members of the appointment committee.
First meeting
At our first meeting, you will generally give a 20-minute test lecture on a specified topic and another 20-minute lecture on a topic of your choice (usually in English), which is appropriate for your future area of work. This is important for us in order to evaluate your teaching skills and specialist expertise. A subsequent meeting with the appointment committee will give you and us an opportunity to get to know each other better. Your lectures will be open to all members of the THU; this means that, in addition to students and members of the appointment committee, staff and colleagues from any department may also participate.
Second meeting
If, after our first meeting, we’re convinced that you’re a good fit for us, we’ll invite you to a second meeting soon afterwards. On a tour of the THU campus, you will see our equipment, for example, in the laboratories, and you will have the chance to talk with members of the President's Office to clarify any open questions you may have. You’ll also meet future colleagues and get a better picture of what it’s like to work as a professor at THU. We believe in the importance of good teamwork and having an environment which you enjoy working in – and where you can implement your ideas about teaching and research as far as is possible.
Appointment shortlist and the awarding of a professorship
After the second appointment, the appointment committee decides which applicants they believe are most suitable. A shortlist with several suitable candidates is generated, which is examined by the University of Applied Sciences boards before the professorship is then awarded.
The period between the invitation for applications and the decision to award a professorship is generally several months.
Are you interested? Then take a look at our job vacancies.
Was your ideal position not listed yet? Then why not sign up to our jobs newsletter?
Jobs newsletter
We look forward to receiving your application to the THU!
