Digital Blended Learning Seminar / 12. Juni 2026, 10.00-16.00
First Audition? Applying for (Junior-)Professorships
# Career
Course Description
Anyone aiming for a long-term career in academia will sooner or later face what is often considered the greatest hurdle in an academic career: applying for a professorship. In this seminar, we will examine the qualifications required for a professorship, the written application materials, and the substantive and strategic considerations for the appointment lecture, teaching demonstration, and interview with the appointment committee.
Course Goals
Self-study video
The aim of the video is to inform you in detail about all phases of the appointment procedure for W1 to W3 professorships in Germany and to provide you with specific assistance and tips for your application. The video first deals with the procedure and formal aspects of the appointment process. Then all the necessary application documents (especially CV, cover letter, concepts) are discussed in detail and illustrated in part with sample materials. In the third part, the expectations and requirements in the hearing with the appointment committee as well as important preparation steps are discussed. You will receive tips and short demonstrations on how to structure your scientific presentation and teaching demonstration. In addition, the most frequently asked questions and topics in the committee interview are presented.
Accompanying tasks
Preparation of a 3-minute presentation to introduce your own profile (introductory part of the scientific presentation, instructions in the webcast)
Small group session
In the group sessions, there is first of all the opportunity to clarify any remaining questions about applying for professorships. Afterwards, all participants give their prepared 3-minute presentation to introduce their own profile (introductory part of the scientific presentation) and receive feedback from the participants and the lecturer. Finally, the interview with the committee is discussed separately. Here you will answer some typical questions from committee interviews and also receive feedback on these.
Note for applicants to universities of applied sciences: 85% of the content covered in the workshop or video is relevant to universities and universities of applied sciences. Dr Dieta Kuchenbrandt’s seminars regularly include participants who are primarily interested in applying to universities of applied sciences. However, some aspects relating to the specific characteristics of universities of applied sciences are not covered in sufficient detail. The group session can address this more flexibly.