Prof. Dr. Doreén Pick works as a professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Merseburg

The appointment process.

Are you passionate about your subject, would you like to use your knowledge in a sustainable way and develop solutions for the future together with young people? Are you ready for a professorship? Here we inform you about the requirements for an appointment in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the stages of the procedure.

Six steps to your professorship

Many paths lead to a professorship at a university of applied sciences. It doesn't matter whether you have focused primarily on your academic career to date or have gained a foothold in business and society following your academic training. If you enjoy passing on your knowledge, enjoying research and contributing your commitment to us, this is a very good basis. An appointment procedure is a complex process and takes an average of 14 months at universities of applied sciences in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The steps of the procedure are simplified here:
 

The call for applications for the professorship

In the Higher Education Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt regulates the appointment procedure (§ 36). The management of the university decides on the filling of vacant positions for professors upon application or after consultation with a department council and after referral to the Senate. A position is advertised immediately after approval by the responsible ministry. The requirements that applicants must fulfill are specified in the advertisement.

To the vacancies
 

The application phase

During the application phase of approx. 4 to 6 weeks, you have the opportunity to submit your application documents in the relevant university system. Please ensure that you complete all the necessary forms and submit the documents in full.

If you have any technical questions or questions about the appointment procedure, please contact the relevant department.

The preselection

After the application deadline, the committee responsible for the appointment procedure meets. The appointment committee evaluates each application on the basis of the documents submitted and checks whether the required selection criteria are met. These are based on the call for applications and Section 35 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt. The appointment requirements for professors are listed there.

The applicants who fulfill the criteria most comprehensively will receive an invitation to a trial teaching event and a subsequent personal interview.

The trial lecture and the interview

The invited applicants hold their trial teaching events. They are held in public at the university.

The appointment committee conducts personal interviews with the applicants and assesses their basic eligibility for the list. As a rule, three applicants are shortlisted.

The appointment proposal

The appointment committee draws up an appointment proposal. After an external assessment and internal university review, the Rectorate decides on the proposal.

Appointment and nomination

Professors are appointed in writing by the university management. After the appointment is granted, the appointment negotiations take place between the university management and the newly appointed professor. As soon as an agreement has been reached, the appointment can be accepted and the official appointment made. The appointment procedure is completed with the appointment.

Things to know about the appointment procedure

The appointment procedure for the HAW professorshipWhat documents should my application include?

In most cases, the following documents must be submitted. However, as there may be deviations, please note § 35(2) HSG LSA and the respective call for applications.

  • cover letter
  • Complete curriculum vitae with details of your academic, scientific and professional career (details of employer / self-employed activity with exact duration of employment and the respective scope of activity; full-time or part-time in percent)
  • Employment references
  • In the case of self-employment or freelance work: proof, e.g. in the form of a business registration, confirmation from a tax consultancy, etc.
  • in the case of work as a research assistant or academic assistant in the university sector: references and/or certificates of appointment
  • Diploma, Bachelor's and/or Master's certificates and diplomas
  • Doctoral certificate
  • List of special academic achievements (e.g. publications, research projects, patents, lectures, competitions, acquisition of third-party funds)
  • List of previous teaching activities

The appointment procedure for the HAW professorshipWho sits on the appointment committee?

According to the Higher Education Act of the state of Saxony-Anhalt (Section 36 (3)), the appointment committee consists of

  • five professors, one of whom is the chairperson,
  • another professor from another university,
  • two research assistants,
  • two students and
  • the Equal Opportunities Officer of the department.

The appointment procedure for the HAW professorshipAre maternity leave, parental leave and care periods taken into account in the appointment procedure?

The regulations vary for each university of applied sciences. In general, these periods are taken into account when fulfilling the recruitment requirements in accordance with the Higher Education Act. However, the exact extent of the crediting is decided by the appointment committee for the respective procedure. Please enclose the relevant evidence with your application.

The appointment procedure for the HAW professorshipWhat can I expect at the trial course?

The topic for the trial course will be announced to the candidates with the invitation. As is usual at universities of applied sciences, an interactive, didactically coherent course is expected. A purely technical lecture does not meet these requirements.

The appointment committee and students will take part in the trial course and their assessment will be included in the appointment decision. This is a public university event.

The appointment procedure for the HAW professorshipHow can I find out about the current status of my appeal proceedings?

All applicants will receive a negative notification as soon as the appointment has been accepted by the selected candidate. Prior to this, you can find out the status of the appointment procedure directly from the respective university: Either an appointment monitor is available on the website or a contact person is listed who will be happy to provide you with information.

Your requirements

Do you have experience in science and at the same time a strong connection to practice? Are you also looking for meaningful work and love to pass on your knowledge? Here you can find out what you need for a professorship at a university of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt. Do you not yet meet all the requirements? We can advise you on further opportunities at professur@weiter-denken.prof.

Hard Skills

  • Completed university degree
  • pedagogical aptitude
  • special aptitude for academic work (usually a doctorate) or special aptitude for artistic work
  • additional academic or artistic achievements in professional practice
  • or special achievements in the application or development of scientific knowledge and methods in professional practice, of which three years were spent outside the university sector


(according to § 35 para. 2 HSG LSA)

Soft skills

  • Enjoy teaching and research
  • Enthusiasm for the transfer of knowledge
  • Enjoy working with young people
  • Social, pedagogical and ethical competence
  • Strategic work
  • Management skills, strong communication and cooperation skills

About the job description

As a professor at a university of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt, you will have a wide range of work opportunities. In the field of teaching, you will give lectures and seminars, supervise theses, conduct examinations and supervise projects. You will advise, supervise and support your students.

In addition to teaching, application-oriented research is a central component of the professorship. Investigating scientific problems and working on interdisciplinary projects will help to further develop the level of knowledge in your field and drive innovation. Networking with other scientists or participating in congresses and conferences is part of your work. In addition, you will write publications to publicize research findings, write expert reports and organize third-party funding.

The professorship also includes actively shaping the so-called third mission. As a professor at a university of applied sciences, you will support the exchange between the university and partners from business, culture and society. Tasks include the transfer of knowledge into practice, cooperation with companies and public institutions as well as involvement in regional projects.
 

More about the professorship

Prof. Dr. Angela-Kolb-Janssen, Chair of Administrative Law at the Harz University of Applied Sciences

It was always clear to me that I wanted to teach at a university of applied sciences. If you are curious, passionate about a particular subject and enjoy working with young people, this is the right place for you."

Prof. Dr. Angela-Kolb-Janssen, Chair of Administrative Law at the Harz University of Applied Sciences

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