How to become a professor at a university of applied sciences

You may have begun to think about how you could further develop your expertise and share your experience while also continuing your personal development and setting your own priorities. Becoming a professor at a university of applied sciences is a great opportunity to explore all these possibilities and discover your purpose.

As a professor at a university of applied sciences, you will not only benefit from a healthy mix of teaching, research and real-world experience, but will also have the opportunity to encourage young people to take an interest in your field of expertise. In addition, as a professor at a university of applied sciences, your background will be crucial in helping to tackle a range of challenges, be they economic, ecological, social or technical in nature. You will work in an interdisciplinary environment that offers you a wide range of opportunities for development. So how do you go about pursuing this career path?

An appropriate university degree

The most important requirement for becoming a professor, and the one usually mentioned first, is your university degree. As a rule, applicants are expected to hold at least a Master's degree.

Professional experience

Another requirement for prospective professors at universities of applied sciences is five years of professional experience, at least three years of which must have been gained outside the higher education sector. We recommend deciding early on which specializations you might be interested in, as most professors require practical experience in the field of their professorship.

Teaching experience

In order to be allowed to teach as a professor, it is absolutely necessary for you to demonstrate that you have the required level of pedagogical aptitude. Such teaching experience can have been gained, for example, in courses you have taught independently as a research assistant, lecturer or adjunct professor.

Doctorate

Another basic requirement for becoming a professor is a "particular aptitude for academic work". This is usually demonstrated by the quality of your doctorate. It is also wise to use the post-doc phase to publish a number of academic papers. When it comes to appointments to professorial posts, the volume of such publications can prove decisive in terms of "academic currency".

Research / Publications

A professor's work not only involves teaching, but also research. Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have a considerable amount of research experience, ideally at an international level. This can be evidenced by a detailed list of the research projects on which you have worked in Germany and abroad, whether at universities or independent research institutes.

Why teach at Fachhochschule Erfurt?

Our university offers an inspiring and supportive environment in which our teaching staff can exploit their full potential. We focus on innovative teaching methods, interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of cutting-edge technology to provide our students with a first-class education. We also encourage our teaching staff to pursue personal and professional development opportunities, offering them access to individualized training and the chance to participate in research projects.

If you would like to join our university community and move forward in your career as a university lecturer, we look forward to meeting you and together shaping the future of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt.