Tenure Track Professors and Junior Professors
Junior professorships (with or without tenure-track) provide a high degree of academic independence while qualifying for a full professorship. The junior professorship enables independent research and teaching at institutions of higher education and involves the autonomous supervision and role as first reviewer of theses; further, it entails the holding of doctoral examinations and is conducive to qualifying for an appointment as tenured professor. In the tenure-track model, the timely availability of a regular W3 position is also guaranteed and the appointment to this position depends solely on the performance record in the qualification phase. Heidelberg University has made a binding decision to fill approx. 10% of its professorships on a permanent basis in a regulated transfer procedure.
Appointments procedure
The appointment to a junior professorship (with or without tenure track) follows the same steps as the appointment to a permanent professorship. With the appointment, attention must be paid to the employment preconditions under the State Higher Edcuation Act (§ 51). The prior doctoral and postoc employment period should not exceed six years. Junior professors receive an appointment aggrement setting out definite subject and position-specific evaluation criteria.
The Professorship Appointment and W Remuneration department staff coordinates and accompanies the interviews, and is available to answer questions regarding private issues (e.g. dual career, child care…).
Evaluation
After three years there is a comprehensive consiliar evaluation, which enables the candidate to obtain advice and avoid obstacles on the way to a successful final evaluation. The final evaluation reviews the basic abilities for the office of professor (aptitude evaluation). It also examines the eligibility of the candidate for the planned W3 permanent professorship (tenure evaluation), based on clearly defined performance criteria. After successful tenure evaluation the appointment to a permanent professorship (W3) can take place on the basis of a simplified procedure.
Personnel Development: certificate programme for junior professors
A specific certificate programme is offered to all newly appointed junior professors as part of the heiTRACKS career support. The aim is to prepare them for the requirements of a full professorship in interdisciplinary areas such as leadership and teaching, and to provide structured personal support during this career phase.
The programme consists of two modules (basic and advanced) and extends over the six years of the junior professorship.