Assistant professorships and associate professorships are part of the career positions section. They are a tool used by universities to develop young academics. This opportunity therefore only becomes relevant after completing a doctorate.

The first step here is to obtain an assistant professorship (by signing a qualification agreement) and, after fulfilling the qualification agreement, an associate professorship, i.e., a permanent position:

• each career position must be advertised publicly and internationally by the Rector after an advisory board (consisting of eight members) has been established.
• the Rector decides on the selection of personnel after a selection process (including evaluation) based on a recommendation from the advisory board.
• after the start of employment, a so-called qualification agreement (QV) should be concluded between TU Wien (Rector) and the career position holder within the first two years. Upon conclusion of the qualification agreement, the employee receives an employment contract as an assistant professor.
• the next four years or so – depending on the date of signing the qualification agreement – should now be used to fulfill the qualification goals: These consist of activities in the areas of research (publications, lectures, presentations, acquisition of third-party funding, etc.), teaching (holding courses, supervising scientific work, etc.) and leadership and management.
• if the qualification goals are achieved (this is determined by a positive comprehensive evaluation with the help of external reviewers), the career position holder will be transferred to a permanent position as an associate professor.

Associate professors who have successfully completed an international selection process, including a qualification agreement, belong to the group of university professors in accordance with §99 (6).