Science
Advance from researcher to professor.
The professorship is the crowning achievement of a university career. Those who have achieved this widely visible level of success enjoy the greatest possible independence in teaching and research. In addition, they generally have the status of civil servants with a good salary.
Tasks
- Holding courses and lectures
- Supervision of young researchers (Bachelor's, Master's, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees)
- Work in committees (Institute Council, Faculty Council, Academic Senate, Appointment Commissions, Study Commissions, Examination Commissions)
- Acquisition and administration of third-party funded projects
- Conduction of own research
- Being an example of good scientific practice
- Writing of publications
- Acquisition of third-party funds
- Good communication skills
- Leading and inspirering young researchers
- Acting in the scientific community
- Management
- Solving conflicts
Important competences
- Writing of publications
- Good communication skills
- Management
- Dealing with conflicts
The Path to a University Professorship
- Tenure Track Programme
- Junior professorship
- Habilitation
Alternatives
Not everyone aims for a professorship. You can also become a successful scientist in the public R&D sector, i.e. non-university research centers. In Germany these are Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
Disadvantages
- You face a period with temporary contracts.
- It is possible that you have to move worldwide for your professorship.
- The road to a professorship is a long one; scientists are on average 41 years old when they finally become a professor (source: https://www.spiegel.de/lebenundlernen/uni/habilitation-zahl-der-professoren-sinkt-meldet-destatis-a-977139.html).