Ideally, the holder of a subject-specific professorship can carry out research and teaching in the given subject area independently and thus a professorship represents the "jewel in the crown" of a university career.

There are a number of designations for professors in Austria (e.g. o.Prof., Associate Prof., Ao.Univ.Prof., etc.), some of which are no longer awarded under the Austrian Universities Act 2002, which came into effect on January 1, 2004, others which describe the current possible levels of development at a professorial level, whereby the completion of a relevant doctorate or PhD degree is a prerequisite for all career levels (with exceptions for equivalent professional experience).

OPTIONS BEFORE 2004:

A holder of a full university professorship (O. Univ.-Prof. or o. Univ.-Prof.) was also a federal official. However, this had changed with the Universities Act 2002, as academic and general employees whose service had started after 31 December 2003 are now subject to the Employees Act (§ 108 Universities Act). Of course, people who had acquired the title before 31 December 2003 may continue to use it.
 

Also from the period prior to 2004 is the "Extraordinary university professor" (Ao. Univ.-Prof. or ao. Univ.-Prof.). This characterises an academic who is currently working at an Austrian university with official status but is part of the so-called "non-professorial teaching staff" of the academic staff. However, according to the Universities Act, this group of people belongs to the scientific and artistic staff in research, art and teaching, formerly referred to as "mid-level staff", i.e. the scientific/artistic workforce.

[see also: Professorships in Austria – Wikipedia, opens an external URL in a new window (only German)]

OPTIONS TODAY:

If you want to pursue an academic career at TU Wien TODAY, the following options are available after completing a relevant PhD programme:

"The university professor" is a professor who has been appointed as a result of an appointments process and is the common name for a University Professor today.
In terms of content, these positions are for people who have many years of research and teaching experience including a Venia Docendi (this is acquired in a habilitation process; for the TU Wien the statute part "Habilitation process, opens an external URL in a new window” applies).

However, the route to assuming this position can vary greatly – from a legal point of view – depending on the "type" of professorship advertised, whereby you differentiate between an extensive LONG SELECTION PROCEDURE (§98, opens an external URL in a new window UG) and a SHORT SELECTION PROCEDURE (§99, opens an external URL in a new window UG) for special groups of people and temporary employment.

ALL currently possible selection procedures are compiled under "Legally possible appointment procedures", opens in new window.
The selection procedures for Section 98 and Section 99(4) professorships are described in more detail under "The Section 98 and Section 99(4) appointment procedure", opens in new window.

Open calls for applications can be found in our Careers portal, opens an external URL in a new window.
All new university professors from 2019 are listed under New professors, opens in new window.

Assistant professorships and associated professorships can be summarized under the chapter "CAREER POSITIONS". TENURE TRACK (CAREER) POSITIONS are a tool used by universities to develop the next generation of university professors and are therefore only relevant AFTER completing the doctorate. 

The first step here is to obtain an ASSISTANCE PROFESSORSHIP (by signing a qualification agreement) and - after fulfilling the qualification agreement - an ASSOCIATED PROFESSORSHIP (Associate Professor). The relevant procedure is defined in the "Career positions and qualification agreements, opens a file in a new window" directive and lasts max. 6 years:

  • Every career position must be advertised publicly and internationally, once the Rector has set up an advisory board (which consists of 8 members)
  • The selection of personnel is decided by the Rector after a selection process (including assessment) based on a proposal from the Advisory Board.
  • Once the employment relationship has started, a QUALIFICATION AGREEMENT should be concluded between TU Wien and the holder of the career post within the first two years. Upon conclusion of the qualification agreement, the employee will receive an employment contract as an ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (Assistant Prof.).
  • The next four years -depending on the signing date of the qualification agreement - should then be used to "work on" the qualification objectives. These consist of activities in the field of research (publications, lectures, presentations, obtaining external funding, etc.), teaching (holding seminars, academic supervision, etc.), and leadership and management.
  • If the qualification objectives are achieved (this is evidenced by a successful, extensive evaluation with the help of experts), the holder of the career position is entitled to use the title of ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (Associate Prof.).

According to § 99 para.6,, opens an external URL in a new window of the university law (and if the Qualification Agreement was signed after October 2016), Associated Professors who have passed an international selection process, including a qualification agreement, belong to the group of University Professors.

Open career positions (Career positions, Assistant professors) can be found on our Careers portal, opens an external URL in a new window.
All new university professors from 2019 are listed under New professors, opens in new window.

Other possibilities CURRENTLY available after completing a relevant PhD programme are temporary or permanent employment as a University Assistant (PostDoc), senior lecturer (focus on teaching) or a senior scientist (focus on research). You can find advertised positions on our Careers portal, opens an external URL in a new window.