Principles of Appointment Procedures

The University of Hohenheim has implemented an appointment procedure based on the principles of transparency, fairness, and timeliness.

Based on the State Higher Education Act it implements the following principles:

Policy of actively looking forward to which positions need to be filled

In annual structural discussions, the President's Office and Deans will agree on the focus of professorships which will become vacant in the foreseeable future. Strategic University considerations as well as academic needs and financial constraints will all be accounted for in this process. The structural discussions are therefore key for the continuation and implementation of the structural‐ and development planning of the University.

Transparent appointment criteria

The goal of Hohenheim’s appointment policies is to win over exceptional scientists. The University’s expectations are reflected in the criteria which have been set by the Professorial Appointment Commissions for the selection of candidates. Besides the central selection criterion of academic excellence, several other criteria have been chosen which can be weighted differently according to the respective procedure and focus of the professorship. In evaluating the criteria, the individual biography of the candidates will be taken into consideration.

  • Excellent research performance
  • Excellent didactic competencies and teaching performance
  • Ability to secure third-party funding
  • Ability to work with other disciplines in the research foci of the University of Hohenheim
  • International experience and visibility
  • Fulfilment of the multifaceted requirements for a university lecturer (e.g. competencies in HR management, willingness to participate in the academic self-administration)

Gender Equality

The University of Hohenheim is convinced that the creation of equal opportunities for women and men in science is a prerequisite for a high degree of academic performance and innovation. In recent years, the University was able to increase the percent of female professors from below 10% to currently 30%. It aims to continue to greatly increase this number.The University takes part in the Women Professors Program of the federal government.

Processes which are consistently linked

From the call for applications to the selection of candidates to the offer of appointment and provision of the necessary infrastructure, all of those involved in the process work together closely.

Quality assurance for the procedure

At Hohenheim, the newly formed Professorial Appointment Commission for candidate selection is assisted by a consulting Professorial Appointment Manager who supports the Commission members of all faculties with competency and experience in procedural questions. As a central contact person for all involved, he has an overview of the entire appointment process.

Welcoming culture

Hohenheim presents itself to the applicants as an open and service-oriented university. The Professorial Appointment Manager supports newly appointed professors upon their arrival in Hohenheim and assists them in the provision of the necessary infrastructure.