How does the appointment process for a professorship at a German university work? What matters when applying – and what mistakes should candidates avoid? At the joint workshop “Professorship Appointment Procedures: Dos and Don’ts” hosted by German U15 and TU9 at GAIN in San Francisco, international early-career researchers gained first-hand insights into professorial appointment procedures at German universities.

The interactive workshop was aimed particularly at doctoral researchers and postdocs interested in pursuing a professorship in Germany. The focus was on practical questions: What makes a compelling application? What do appointment committees expect? What role do a candidate’s research profile, teaching experience and international experience play? And what should candidates keep in mind when negotiating the terms of an appointment?

The workshop was moderated by Dr. Friederike Schröder, Managing Director of German U15, and Dr. Inken Dose, Science Manager and Deputy Managing Director of TU9. At different tables, participants also had the opportunity to speak directly with Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, Prof. Dr. Roswitha Böhm, Prof. Dr. Michael Hoch, Prof. Dr. Matthias Oechsner and Dr. Juliane Schröter, who shared their individual experiences and perspectives. The discussions centred on participants’ questions and personal exchanges about applications, appointment procedures and academic career paths.

The key takeaways: Academic excellence is not the only factor that matters in appointment procedures. Equally important are enthusiasm for one’s own research, teaching and knowledge transfer, thorough preparation, a good understanding of the university in question, and a willingness to take risks. An unsuccessful application is not a failure – it is valuable experience that can help candidates in future appointment procedures.

The workshop took place on 23 August 2026 as part of GAIN in San Francisco. The GAIN Annual Conference brings together postdocs and early-career researchers with German universities and research institutions, funding organisations, and partners from academia and politics. The programme includes interactive workshops, panel discussions and a Talent Fair, offering numerous opportunities to learn about career paths in Germany, build networks and engage directly with representatives of the German research and higher education landscape.

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At a Glance

Workshop: “Professorship Appointment Procedures: Dos and Don’ts”

Date: 23 August 2026

Location: San Francisco

Organised by: German U15 and TU9 – German Universities of Technology

Moderators:

Dr. Friederike Schröder, Managing Director, German U15

Dr. Inken Dose, Science Manager and Deputy Managing Director, TU9

Panel:

Prof. Dr. iur. Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover

Prof. Dr. Roswitha Böhm, Vice-Rector University Culture and Internationalization at TU Dresden and Professor of French Literature and Cultural Studies

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch, Rector of the University of Bonn and Chair of German U15

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Oechsner, Vice President for Research at TU Darmstadt and Professor at the Department of Materials Science

Dr. Juliane Schröter, Postdoctoral Researcher at Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Objectives: To provide insights into professorial appointment procedures at German universities, explain the requirements for a successful application, and facilitate direct exchange on applications, appointment processes and academic career paths.