Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers attractive career paths for early-career academics, leading to a professorship at a university of applied sciences (HAW).
If you are interested in pursuing a further academic career, we will be happy to support and guide you along the way.
Would you like to conduct application-oriented and practice-based research whilst gaining a qualification at the same time? Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers you this opportunity through a collaborative PhD programme.
As Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences does not yet have its own right to award doctorates, the doctoral programme is run in cooperation with a university authorised to award doctorates.
Through its doctoral funding scheme, Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences supports the strengthening of its key research areas within the framework of research projects, offering half (50%) E13 doctoral posts for a fixed term of up to six years.
Doctoral candidates work on their theses under the supervision of both a professor from Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and a professor from the partner university. Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences thus plays a decisive role in ensuring optimal supervision and, consequently, the success of the doctoral programme.
In these cooperative doctoral programmes, the research output – and thus the demonstration of the ability to carry out independent academic work – is generally produced at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and supervised there.
Professors from our university participate on an equal footing as supervisors, reviewers and examiners in the doctoral process. Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences already collaborates successfully with several universities both in Germany and abroad.
The junior professorship serves as an entry-level position for highly qualified early-career academics who are at the start of their academic careers. It offers the opportunity to initiate and carry out their own research projects, as well as to become actively involved in teaching.
In addition to the usual appointment procedures, Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers PhD students reliable career prospects through the junior professorship on a tenure track.
Although junior professorships are initially awarded as fixed-term posts, they are converted into permanent appointments as professors following a successful probationary period.
The reduced teaching load for the junior professorship amounts to 9 LVS in the first phase of employment and 12 LVS in the second phase. This phased reduction in teaching load is intended to facilitate the transition to Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences in both teaching and research.
These professorships are aimed at outstanding early-career academics who, with the exception of several years’ professional experience outside a higher education institution, meet all the requirements for appointment to a professorship at a university of applied sciences.
In particular, a relevant degree and a PhD with outstanding results in a demanding field within the area of appointment are prerequisites for appointment. Subject to fulfilment of the general civil service requirements, the position is initially offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of
To support recent PhD graduates in gaining several years’ professional experience – a prerequisite for a successful professorship – Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers the ‘tandem professorship’ as a special form of junior professorship.
An initial collaboration has been established between the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and the Society for Manufacturing Technology and Development Schmalkalden e.V. (GFE e.V.).
The post is split 50/50 between Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, as a W1 professorship, and GFE e.V., where the holder is employed.
The professorship is funded by the Federal-State Programme for University of Applied Sciences Staff and is initially a fixed-term appointment. Intensive research is an integral part of the role and is carried out in close cooperation with the participating company.
Press release
‘Innovation side by side – the tandem professorships at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences’
The professorship is a central pillar of our academic community, and we look forward to supporting talented and committed individuals on this career path.
Requirements: The path to a professorship generally requires solid academic qualifications and experience. Typical requirements include a completed university degree, a PhD, and relevant research and teaching experience. Specific requirements may vary depending on the department, and we encourage all interested candidates to familiarise themselves with the exact criteria set by our university.
The role in practice: As a professor at our university, you will have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of academia. This involves not only imparting knowledge, but also promoting research and supervising students. Through the close integration of teaching and research, you will help to create an inspiring learning environment whilst actively contributing to academic development.
Application process: Interested applicants are invited to find out more about our advertised professorships and to submit their applications in accordance with the specified criteria. The selection process places emphasis on excellence in research and teaching, as well as on a comprehensive vision for the further development of our academic environment.
We invite you to become part of our academic community
Voices from the Field:
Prof. Dr. Lenka Ďuranová shares her experiences as a professor at a University of Applied Sciences (HAW) as part of the “HAW Professorship: A Career with Impact” campaign.
