Overview of tasks and types
A professorship is the highest academic position at a higher education institution or university. It is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding performance in and within their field of expertise. holds this position and is entrusted with and teaching in the respective department. There are however additional administrative duties, such as managing faculties or institutes at higher education institutions.
Which types of professorship are there?
There are different forms of professorship at a higher education institution or university. A distinction is made among these types:
The highest form is the full professorship, also designated as a W3 professorship. It is usually a permanent position. A W2 professorship, or even an associate professorship, can conversely also be a temporary position. These positions are often also associated with fewer administrative duties, since the respective professor doesn’t hold an .
Early career academics and researchers frequently commence their careers with a junior professorship or , also referred to as a W1 professorship. This is generally a temporary position that is beneficial for qualification. A W1 professor uses it to qualify for the to a lifetime position.
An honorary professorship is often a part-time position. This type of professorship is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding performance in teaching or research within their field of expertise. Whereas a visiting professorship denotes a time-limited professorship for academics, scientists and researchers from other institutions or from abroad. A deputy professorship – as the name suggests – involves a position deputising for a professor at a higher education institution or university.