Professorships are awarded in an appointment procedure. This is a lengthy process that takes several months (rarely even years). As an applicant, it often pays to be patient until you finally receive a response to your application.
The appointment procedure in Lower Saxony follows these steps (in other federal states, the content and structure of the individual steps may differ):
Steps in the appointment procedure
You fulfil the requirements for a UAS professorship? Then you can apply.
All UAS professorships are advertised publicly. In your application, clearly emphasize your qualifications for the advertised professorship. Submit complete documentation: Provide comprehensive evidence of your professional career, proof of teaching experience (such as evaluations and certificates), and proof of your academic qualifications.
An appointment committee invites the most qualified applicants to give a trial lecture and attend an interview. At this stage, all other applicants do not yet receive any notification.
The appointment committee is made up of professors, research assistants, students and technical and administrative staff. At least two external university lecturers are represented on the appointment committee with voting rights.
You will give a trial lecture for students from the university. This will enable your professional and teaching skills to be assessed. It is very important to involve the students when giving your trial lecture at a university of applied sciences.
After your lecture, the students will deliver their vote. This has a special significance for the appointment committee.
This is followed by an interview with the appointment committee.
If necessary, the appointment committee will seek further opinions, before drawing up an appointment proposal usually consisting of three candidates. The Faculty Council and the Executive Board decide on this list proposal, and the Senate issues a statement.
The Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK) awards the appointment on this basis.
Once you have been offered the appointment, you then negotiate your employment terms (such as salary supplements, equipment, individual target agreements) with your future university.
Only after acceptance of the appointment do all other applicants receive notification, including those who also gave a trial lecture and/or were also placed on the shortlist.
