Tenure track

The University of Münster continuously strives to support young academics by providing transparent and dependable working conditions and viable career paths. To this end, it has established a new associate professorship (Juniorprofessur) model with a tenure track for excellent academics while taking into account the various disciplinary cultures at the University. The University is especially committed to increasing the proportion of women academics in attractive positions, providing equal opportunities, promoting internationalisation and expanding target group-specific personnel development measures for all.

To attract highly qualified (international) academics, a tenure track provision was added to the University of Münster's appointment regulations in October 2018. This guarantees candidates a permanent professorship after successfully completing a fixed-term probationary period.

Tenure track model

  • Tenure track model

    In the tenure track model, academics are initially employed on a temporary basis but are immediately given a permanent professorship after a successful probationary phase. As a rule, the entire process lasts six years and is accompanied by two transparent evaluations.

    In the first step, the appointment procedure, the University begins by issuing an international call for applications. In agreement with the respective faculty, the equipment, remuneration and performance requirements are negotiated with the prospective appointee on the basis of their teaching and research concept. The Tenure Board is informed of the corresponding performance requirements.

    After three years, the faculty initiates an interim evaluation. The candidate is required to submit a self-evaluative report on the basis of the defined performance requirements. The report is reviewed by a faculty evaluation committee, the Tenure Board and the Rectorate. A decision on the continuation of employment is made on the basis of this evaluation. Family responsibilities, for example, are taken into account and included when negotiating individual options for extending the contract.

    After a further three years, the faculty initiates the final evaluation. For this purpose, the faculty sets up an appointment committee which – in coordination with the Tenure Board – submits an assessment to the University Senate on the basis of the self-evaluative report. Following a favourable decision by the Senate, the Rectorate formally grants the respective candidate tenure, accompanied by an offer of salary and equipment, as well as a lifetime appointment.

    In the event of a negative evaluation, the candidate is granted a bridging period of one year to seek other career opportunities.

  • Tenure Board

    The central Tenure Board is the most important quality assurance instrument in the tenure track model at the University of Münster. This committee is responsible for guaranteeing transparent, fair and independent procedures and thus ensuring a high standard of performance. The Tenure Board is made up of professorial members from the 15 faculties who have extensive experience in research, teaching and self-administration.

    Current members on the Tenure Board

Young Professors Programme (YPP)

The Young Professors Programme (YPP) is an accompanying, advanced training programme for highly-qualified junior academics which promotes individual career and personality development.