Uni-Tübingen

Tenure Track Model

At the University of Tübingen, there are three types of junior professorships:

  1. Junior Professorship without tenure track 
    A fixed-term assistant professorship as a temporary civil servant at the compensation level of W1 or (rarely) W2. After 4 years (as a rule), an evaluation takes place, and if the outcome is positive, the position is extended for 2 more years. After 6 years, the Junior Professorship ends and the candidate is given a final evaluation to determine whether they have reached the qualification equivalent of a Habilitation, which would make them eligible for a full (W3) professorship. If so, the candidate can then apply for employment as a full professor or other faculty positions.   
  2. Junior Professorship with tenure track
    A fixed-term assistant professorship as a temporary civil servant at the compensation level of W1 or W2 that is designed to ultimately lead to a permanent professorship position after passing the final evaluation. After 4 years (as a rule), an interim evaluation is carried out, and if the outcome is positive, the position is extended for 2 more years. This period can be shortened in special circumstances. After 6 years (as a rule) and a positive final evaluation, the position holder is promoted to a permanent position, such as senior lecturer (Akademischer Rat) or full professor (W3), depending on the appointment negotiations.
  3. Junior Professorship with tenure track within the framework of the “1000 Professorships Program” (2017-2032) 
    A fixed-term assistant professorship as a temporary civil servant at the compensation level of W1 or (rarely) W2 that is designed to lead to a permanent position after passing the final evaluation. After 4 years, and no sooner, an evaluation is carried out. If the outcome is positive, the position is extended for 2 more years. After 6 years and a positive final evaluation, the position holder is promoted to a tenured W3 position. A specific feature of this program is that candidates can only apply within 2-4 years after finishing their PhD.