Before you apply
Many questions about the tasks or status of professors, academic search procedures, and applying for professorships arise even before you apply. The information below provides answers to frequently asked questions and an overview of the academic search procedure at Universität Hamburg.
Contents
What are the different types of professorships?
Professorships vary depending on target group and associated salary. The professorships according to salary grade are as follows:
- W1 junior professorships are akin to assistant professorships and are offered to early career researchers who can demonstrate initial scholarly achievements. They can be offered with or without tenure track. More information about interim and tenure evaluations
- W2 professorships are akin to associate professorships and are offered to academics who have research and teaching experience.
- W3 professorships are full professorships offered to internationally well-established academics with extensive research and teaching experience.
What is the teaching load?
The teaching load for professors is governed by the teaching obligation regulation at institutions of higher education in Hamburg (Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung für die Hamburger Hochschulen, LVVO) (in German only). As a rule:
- 9 teaching hours per week for W2 and W3 professors
- 4 teaching hours per week in the first phase of the junior professorship and 6 teaching hours per week following a successful interim evaluation
What are the application criteria?
The application criteria for a professorship are set forth in the Hamburg higher education act (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz—HmbHG). Section 15 HmbHG (in German only) covers the hiring requirements for professorships, Section 18 HmbHG (in German only) covers the hiring requirements for junior professorships. A doctorate or equivalent scholarly achievement is required in both cases. A Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is not mandatory.
When selecting applicants, the Academic Search Committee considers the criteria in the job ad as well as the following criteria from the academic search regulations (in German only):
- academic qualifications
- didactic skills
- ability to provide new inspiration in research and teaching at Universität Hamburg
- expectations for scientific/scholarly contributions to core research areas at Universität Hamburg
- special commitment to teaching and experience in curricular development
- management aptitude, in particular leadership skills and interpersonal skills
- experience with external funding acquisition
- international experience
- willingness and aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration
- ability to consider gender issues in research and teaching
What documents do I need to submit when I apply?
Submit the following documents with your application:
- CV
- list of publications
- proof of teaching experience, e.g., list of courses
- information about external funding
- teaching evaluations
- research and teaching concept for future work
- copies of letters of reference, transcripts, and certificates (attesting to studies, doctorate, if applicable Habilitation)
- any further supporting documents if indicated in the job ad
Please also check to see if any other documents are named in the job ad. Generally, references do not need to be provided.
Academic search procedure step-by-step
- job ad and appointment of a search committee
- application submission
- invitations to short-listed applications to attend a hearing, including a research talk, teaching trial, and personal interview with the committee
- review of short-listed applicants:
- requesting comparative external opinions
- for W3 professorships: assessments through assessment centers (individual assessment) to evaluate management and HR skills
- for W1 professorships with tenure track: potential is assessed by the committee
- committee makes an appointment recommendation and draws up list of possible appointees
- faculty council considers appointment recommendation
- decision by the Executive University Board to offer an appointment
- negotiations and official offer
- decision about whether or not to take the appointment offer
What is the status of current procedures?
- See the overview of current academic search procedures to find out about the status of current academic search procedures.
- As soon as the first appointment offer in a given procedure is made, all applicants are notified accordingly.
- As soon as the position is filled, all applicants are notified about who has received the appointment.