All current vacancies for professorships can be found on the University of Cologne's appointment portal. In addition, our vacancies are usually published in interdisciplinary publications, such as Die Zeit, and in subject-specific portals and societies. Applications are always processed via the appointment portal.

The documents to be submitted are described in the invitation to tender and usually include

•     Cover letter
•     curriculum vitae
•     List of publications and courses
•     Teaching evaluation results
•     Certificates of academic examinations and appointments
•     Possible third-party funding
•     Research and curriculum

According to §36 of the Higher Education Act, professors at universities must have additional academic achievements that go beyond a doctorate. This proof can be provided by a habilitation or habilitation-equivalent achievements. There is no generally applicable regulation as to what is meant by habilitation-equivalent achievements. In most cases, however, published work is recognized in the peer review process.

Applications received are discussed by the appointment committee. It consists of professors from the department, students, academic staff and (one) person(s) from technology and administration. The committee is also supported by representatives of the Gender Equality Officer, the Representative Body for Disabled Persons and the Dean's Office. A delegate from the Rectorate is also present. You can find out more about the composition and tasks of the appointment committee here.

If you meet the requirements for the professorship and your application documents are convincing, you will be invited to an academic presentation, a teaching test and an interview with the committee. Convincing candidates are then submitted for external assessment.

An appointment list is then drawn up based on the external reviews and the committee's assessments, on which the Central Gender Equality Officer comments. The faculty decides on the list and the Senate makes a recommendation to the Rectorate, which approves the list. According to the list, the person ranked first is contacted first and an offer is made. If this person rejects the offer, the next person on the list is contacted.

1. You will receive confirmation of receipt via the appointment portal after submitting your application.
2. If applicable, you will receive an invitation to the lecture from the institute.
3. The selected applicant will receive a letter of appointment from the Rector.
4. Once the appointment negotation with the successful candidate has been concluded, the other applicants will be notified.