The appointment procedure is regulated by the Higher Education Law of the state of Saxony-Anhalt (§ 36). The process is complex and, on average, takes about 14 months at our universities of applied sciences. Below are the simplified steps of the procedure:
The call for applications for the professorship
The call for applications is issued once it has been approved by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection, and Environment of Saxony-Anhalt. The general appointment requirements for professors can be found in § 35 of the Higher Education Law of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Additionally, it provides details on the university- and subject-specific qualifications you need to meet in order to be considered for the position. You can find further information in the section Your requirements. The call also provides an insight into the potential working environment and includes details on relevant contacts.
The application phase
During the application phase, which lasts about four to six weeks, you will have the opportunity to submit your application documents. Please ensure that you complete all required forms thoroughly and submit the documents in full.
For any subject-specific questions and inquiries related to the appointment procedure, the designated appointment officers or chairs of the appointment committee will be available to assist you. Our representative bodies are also happy to provide information, for example, regarding equality or disability issues.
The preselection
After the application deadline has passed, the committee responsible for the appointment procedure will meet. The appointment committee evaluates each application based on the submitted documents and assesses whether the required selection criteria are met.
Candidates who most thoroughly meet the criteria will be invited to a trial lecture followed by a personal interview.
The trial lecture and the appointment interview
Each invited candidate will give their trial lecture in a public setting within the university. Following this, the appointment committee will hold a personal interview with each candidate.
The appointment proposal/the appointment list
As a result of the preceding trial lectures, personal interviews, and an evaluation by distinguished scholars in the field, the appointment committee will prepare a concrete appointment proposal (appointment list). This usually consists of three candidates. The appointment proposal must be approved by the Senate.
The appointment offer and the appointment
Professors are appointed in writing by the rector of the university. After the appointment offer is made, negotiations take place between the rector, the future department, and the newly appointed professor. The outcomes of the negotiations are recorded in an appointment agreement, which is signed by all parties involved. Once the appointment agreement is concluded, the appointment offer can be accepted. Following this, the formal appointment takes place and the appointment procedure concludes.
What documents should my application include?
Typically, the following documents must be submitted. Since deviations may occur, please refer to Section 35(2) of the Higher Education Law of the State of Saxony-Anhalt and the specific call for applications.
Who 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
Are maternity leave, parental leave and care periods taken into account in the appointment procedure?
The regulations regarding this vary at each university of applied sciences. In general, these periods are taken into account when assessing whether the appointment requirements are met, in accordance with the Higher Education Law. Please include the relevant documentation with your application (e.g., protection periods according to the Maternity Protection Act, child-rearing periods under Section 56 of the Social Code, Book Six, as well as periods of actual care for dependent relatives under the Care Leave Act and the Family Care Leave Act).
What can I expect at the trial lecture?
The topic for the trial lecture will be announced to the candidates with the invitation. An interactive, didactically sound lesson is expected. A purely subject-specific lecture does not meet these requirements.
The teaching demonstration is a public event within the university. The evaluation will be conducted by the appointment committee and students from the department.
How can I check the status of my appointment procedure?
You can check the current status of the appointment procedure directly with the respective university: Either an appointment monitor is available on the website, or a contact person is provided who will be happy to give you information.
All other applicants will receive a notification once the appointment offer has been accepted by the selected candidate.
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.
(according to Section 35(2) of the Higher Education Law of the State of Saxony-Anhalt)
Have your profile reviewed by experts from a university of applied sciences – individually tailored to your goals. In the profile check, we will take a look at your application documents together. Are you ready for the next step in your career?
In just 45 minutes, you will also gain valuable practical insights and learn what appointment committees pay particular attention to. This will ensure you are well prepared for your next application for a professorship at a university of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt.
After registering, you will receive the Zoom link by email. Please send us your documents at least one week before the appointment so that we can prepare optimally.
As a HAW professor 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 at the universities of applied sciences (formerly known as universities of applied sciences).
In addition to teaching, application-oriented research is a central component of the HAW professorship. Investigating scientific problems and working on interdisciplinary projects will help to further develop the state of knowledge in your field and drive innovation. Networking with other scientists and participating in congresses and conferences is part of your work. In addition, you will write publications and expert reports and organize third-party funding.
The professorship also includes actively shaping the so-called third mission. As a HAW professor, you will support the exchange between the university and partners from business, culture and society. This gives you the opportunity to shape the transfer of knowledge with practice, work closely with companies and public institutions and get involved in regional projects.
The campaign for professorships at universities of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt was developed as part of the Center of Advanced Scientific Education (CASE). In order to ensure academic excellence at universities in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in the future, CASE is primarily dedicated to the strategic retention, development and recruitment of professors.
The CASE project is funded between 2021 and 2027 as part of the federal-state program 'FH Personal' of the BMFTR.
We advise you on your new start as a HAW professor:
