Introduction, Mission an d Goals, Services, Membership, an d Frequently Asked Questions of the Association of German University Professors an d Lecturers
About us
Welcome to the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers
The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (Deutscher Hochschulverband, in short DHV) represents more than 33.500 members. It provides comprehensive information and services for university professors and up-and-coming academics in Germany.
Are you considering pursuing an academic career in Germany? Are you targeting a professorship or a postdoctoral position at a German university or non-university research institution and need answers to a range of questions?
What qualification pathways are there to a professorship, and what requirements do you have to fulfil to be eligible for a professorship? With its wide range of career paths, the German academic system supports tailored academic and professional growth, but it may appear complicated to newcomers.
In addition to the traditional habilitation (post-doctoral lecturing qualification), newer forms of qualification for a permanent professorship have been established, such as junior research group leaderships or junior professorships. Tenure-track options provide an opportunity to transition from a fixed-term professorship to a permanent position. The W-salary system is a common type of payment for professors in Germany. If you are applying for a professorship, are invited to a trial lecture, or are already engaged in appointment negotiations, it is important and helpful to be well-informed and well-prepared.
The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) is the professional association for scholars and scientists in Germany. Our organization provides extensive services and information, representing scientists’ academic, legal, and economic interests in dealings with governmental bodies and the broader public.
Mission and goals
What the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers wants
The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) was re-founded in 1950 as a continuation of the Association of German Universities, which was dissolved in 1936. It advocates impartial science in a liberal constitutional state. Its fundamental principles are freedom and the indivisibility of research and teaching.
The DHV is a co-designer of higher education and education policy in Germany. It represents the political, legal and economic interests of university lecturers vis-à-vis the state and society. It is particularly concerned with up-and-coming academics.
The work of the DHV serves both the university teaching profession as a whole and the interests of individual members. The DHV monitors legislative and administrative measures with statements and proposals and exerts influence on politics.
The DHV is the comprehensive service and information organisation for academics at German universities and equivalent institutions of higher education and for young academics.
Services
Legal and Career Advice
Are you at a pivotal point in your academic career?
Wondering how to excel in appointment negotiations? Let the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) be your trusted career partner.
What We Offer
Expert Consultation: Our complimentary advice covers university, salary, pension, secondary employment, medical, and labour law. We also offer strategic guidance for specific negotiation scenarios in appointment processes. With experience in advising on approximately two-thirds of appointment negotiations at German universities, our expertise is your key to successful career moves.
Personalised Coaching: Beyond legal advice, we provide tailored coaching to prepare you thoroughly for appointment negotiations, ensuring you approach critical discussions with confidence.
Legal Support: For fundamental questions in university and civil service law, we assist our members with legal aid.
We prioritise the support of scientists in the early stages of their careers. If you have questions about planning your academic journey, reach out to us. We offer reduced membership fees for early-career scientists.
Become a Member
join the DHV and discover all benefits
How to Get Started
1. Received an Offer? Congratulations! Contact the DHV promptly to optimise your upcoming appointment negotiations.
2. Get in Touch: Whether it’s an appointment to a civil service position, an employment relationship, a university hospital, or a German-speaking country abroad, we have the right expert for you.
3. Quick Assistance: Before your phone consultation, you'll receive a comprehensive dossier with essential information.
4. Consultation Appointment: Discuss salary and resources with your DHV advisor and determine if additional individual coaching is required.
5. Appointment Negotiation: Negotiate assertively with your university and review the process with your DHV advisor afterwards.
As a member, schedule your consultation at 0228 90266-77 or beratung@hochschulverband.de. Not a member yet? Apply for membership and get immediate advice after completing the membership application process.
Academic Job Posting Service
Are you looking for vacancies for professorships?
Unlock exclusive job opportunities with the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV). We provide our members with the full job postings for all vacant professorships in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, tailored to your specific field. Additionally, we offer listings for universities of applied sciences and links to international job boards.
Stay Informed: Receive timely, subject-specific job postings at no cost as a DHV member, ensuring you never miss out on relevant opportunities.
The following mailing lists have been set up:
Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences (including Forestry, Landscape Ecology, and Food Science)
Civil and Structural Engineering (including Geodesy, Urban Planning, Architecture, and Civil Engineering)
Biology
Chemistry
Electrical Engineering *
Earth Sciences (Geology, Geography)
History
Social Sciences / Studies (including Educational Sciences/Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Communication Sciences) *
Leadership Positions (Presidents, Chancellors, Rectors)
Medicine (including Clinical and Theoretical Medicine)
Computer Science *
Art and Music Sciences (including Design, Theater Studies)
Mechanical Engineering (including Metallurgy, Mining Engineering, and Materials Science) *
Mathematics
Pharmacy
Philosophy
Physics
Law
Sports Science
Language and Cultural Studies (including Ethnology, Archaeology, Religious Studies)
Theology
Economics *
Veterinary Medicine
Dentistry
*separate lists for universities and other higher education institutions such as universities of applied sciences
Thomas Frison
Academic Job Posting Service
phone: 0228 90266-30
ausschreibungen@hochschulverband.de
Dilan Akter-Akin
Academic Job Posting Service
phone: 0228 90266-73
ausschreibungen@hochschulverband.de
Coaching
The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) leverages in-depth experience and targeted expertise to support academics through specialized coaching.
With a comprehensive understanding of the specific requirements in academia, we offer customized coaching solutions. It is our aim to accompany you successfully on your career path and to support you with our special offers even after you have started your position.
Coaching for professorships
Would you like to apply for a professorship or are you facing appointment or retention negotiations? No matter what your next career step looks like, we will be happy to coach you!
We support you in optimizing your application documents, presenting a mock lecture or preparing you for the interview with the appointment committee. In our intensive coaching sessions for appointment and retention negotiations, we support you in conducting negotiations and realizing optimal salary and equipment offers. Benefit from our many years of expertise.
Our coaching services for professorships at a glance:
Intensive coaching for appointment and retention negotiations
Application training
Assessment of application documents
The first 100 days - coaching for newly appointed professors
Career planning and advice
Coaching for assessment centers
Feel free to contact us, we will coach you individually and precisely.
Price for one hour of coaching: EUR 236 (gross price)
Price for the assessment of application documents: EUR 145 (gross price)
Contact for coaching inquiries about the professorship: beratung@hochschulverband.de
Coachings are available for DHV-members only.
Become a Member
join the DHV and discover all benefits
Coaching and mentoring specifically for university medicine
The requirements for academics in university medicine are complex. Our experts from the Legal Department for Medical Law can provide you with individual advice and coaching for your application and appointment to a clinical professorship.
With our contract review for chief physicians, we offer you a detailed and written assessment of your contract documents.
We are also happy to provide you with long-term support as part of a mentoring program, which provides intensive individual advice throughout the negotiation process with the university and hospital management.
Price for one hour of coaching: EUR 320 (gross price)
Price for one hour of mentoring: EUR 394 (gross price)
Contact for coaching and mentoring inquiries University Medicine: beratung@hochschulverband.de
Coachings and mentorings are available for DHV-members only.
Seminars
Along with seminars in German the Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV) also offers seminars in English. In addition to an introduction to the German academic system, also assistance on the path to a professorship is provided and new ways of scientific publishing are presented.
Discover our seminars in English:
Video-seminars
The German academic system - How to become a Professor in Germany
This video-seminar on demand addresses researchers, not only but including early career researchers, who are considering a career as a professor at a German university.
Become a Member
join the DHV and discover all benefits
Online seminars
How to become a Professor in Germany - Career Paths and Application for a Professorship in Germany
This online seminar is designed for early career researchers considering a professorship in Germany or beginning their application process. It covers career paths, legal requirements, and appointment procedures, as well as application documents, job searches, and strategies for making a strong impression throughout the selection process.
How to become a Professor in Germany - Appointment Negotiations for a Professorship in Germany
This online seminar provides an overview of the legal framework, including salary, bonuses, and starting packages, and guides participants in developing effective negotiation strategies, from preparation to finalization.
Introduction to the German academic system
This online seminar gives you a compact insight into the German academic system and allows you to ask individual questions
Face-to-face workshops
Teaching Methods and Lecture Design
This workshop is designed to meet the practical challenge teaching multi-cultural student groups.
Further seminars in German can be found at www.dhvseminare.de
uebersetzungen@hochschulverband.de
Membership
Become a member
Benefits of a Membership
Join the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) and elevate your academic career. As a DHV member, you gain access to:
Comprehensive Legal Advice: Receive expert legal guidance on university, salary, pension, secondary employment, medical, and labour law.
Career Support: Benefit from ongoing career development through seminars, workshops, appointment counselling, application training, and personalised coaching.
Exclusive Job Listings: Access our subject-specific job posting service, keeping you informed of the latest opportunities.
Monthly Publications: Stay updated with Forschung & Lehre, Germany's leading journal on university politics and science, along with daily updates on www.forschung-und-lehre.de (only available in german language).
Advocacy and Representation: The DHV actively advocates for its members' interests, striving for optimal working conditions in science and research. Your membership provides access to a wealth of expert knowledge and a supportive community.
Any university professor can become a member of the DHV*
* (university professor, professor at an academic college, professor at an academy of art and music, supernumerary professor, honorary professor, lecturers with postdoctoral degrees) at a university, an academic college or at an academy of art and music in Germany as well as any German professor at a university, academic college or at an academy of art and music abroad.
Any junior professor or person preparing a postdoctoral thesis can join the DHV.
The DHV finances its work through its members subscription fees. The membership fees are graded according to working position at the university.
Notices of withdrawal take effect at the end of the calendar year, if they have arrived at the office by 1st Dezember of the respective year. Notices of withdrawal that arrive later take effect at the end of the following year.
Annual membership fees 2025:
Pay scale:
W3, C4, W2, C3: Euro 250,-
all other professors and up-and-coming academics including those abroad: Euro 145,-
professor emeritus, pensionary: Euro 135,-
Membership declaration
Service agreement
You do not currently meet the membership requirements, but you still have a need for service and advice in connection with universities and science? In this case, you can take out our service agreement as an alternative to membership from the point in time at which you are awarded your PhD.
If you would like to conclude a service agreement please fill the form.
Service Agreement
Angelika Wirth, M.A.
Membership Services
phone: 0228 90266-17
wirth@hochschulverband.de
FAQ
Who can join the DHV?
What does membership cost?
Can I also join the DHV, if I work outside of the university area?
Can I become a member as a university employee without a postdoctoral degree?
What happens if I go abroad?
At which point in time is a withdrawal of membership possible?
Can I let my membership rest for a certain period of time?
Is the membership fee reduced, when I retire?
Is my membership fee tax-deductible?
Do married couples where both spouses are members get a reduction?
FAQ
Who can join the DHV?
According to § 2 paragraph 1 of the articles of association of the DHV every professor (university professor, professor at an academic college, professor at an academy of art and music, supernumerary professor, honorary professor, lecturers with postdoctoral degrees) at a university, academic college or at an academy of art and music in Germany as well as any German professor at a university, academic college or at an academy of art and music abroad can become a member. Any junior professor or person preparing a postdoctoral thesis during his/her qualifying phase according to the meaning of clause 1 can also become a member.
What does membership cost?
The membership fees are graded according to working position at the university.
In order to take the positions into account we request that you inform us of any fee-relevant changes. Otherwise, in accordance with the articles of association, a refund of surplus of fees is not possible.
Annual membership fees: See Becoming a member.
Can I also join the DHV, if I work outside of the university area?
If you have a postdoctoral degree then membership is possible even with external employment. If this is not the case you can sign a service contract with the DHV, which offers the same services as regular membership.
Can I become a member as a university employee without a postdoctoral degree?
If you are working on a postdoctoral thesis or have finished it then there is no obstacle to membership. If this is not the case, you have the possibility of signing a service contract with the DHV, which offers the same services as regular membership
What happens if I go abroad?
Employment abroad has no influence on your membership. After notification of your new address details we will send you the journal Forschung & Lehre (Research and Teaching) and all subsequent correspondence to your new address. If applicable only the membership fee will change. Annual membership fees: See Becoming a member.
At which point in time is a withdrawal of membership possible?
According to § 2 paragraph 2 of the articles of association of the DHV notices of withdrawal must be made in writing and take effect at the end of a calendar year, if they have arrived at head office by 1st December of that year. Notices of withdrawal that arrive later take effect at the end of the following year.
Can I let my membership rest for a certain period of time?
Unfortunately a resting membership is not possible. Membership must be terminated within the stipulated time limit for the end of the calendar year and has to be once more declared at a later point in time.
Is the membership fee reduced, when I retire?
Reduced subscriptions apply to retired professors. Annual membership fees: See Becoming a member.
Is my membership fee tax-deductible?
For members in active service the membership fees are tax-deductible.
Do married couples where both spouses are members get a reduction?
Members, who are married to each other, can apply to the president of the DHV for a reduction of fees. The reduction amounts to 25 percent of the respective fee for each spouse.
Regarding Zhengxianling - China's first pan - international talent recruitment platform
Zhengxianling is developed and operated by Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. The company mainly provides international services such as talent job-seeking and recruitment, recruitment and introduction of high-level talents / science and technology innovation-related talents (Overseas Excellent Young Talents, QM Plan, online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), academic exchanges, and software development. In due time, we will launch language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. to meet the needs of global users. Up to now, the company has established communication channels with national ministries and commissions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Science and Technology, talent offices of the Organization Departments of some provincial and municipal Party committees, departments of human resources and social security, industry and information technology, science and technology, trade unions, chambers of commerce, academic societies, associations, 985 and 211 universities in various regions across the country, HRs of some enterprises, the International Academician Consortium, the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, and some international institutions in countries such as Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, and QS World's top 100 universities (MIT, Oxford, the University of Melbourne...).
Service items are as follows:
A. Recruitment and introduction of international high-level / science and technology innovation-related talents (doctors, post-doctors, academicians) (online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), overseas enterprise study tours, academic exchanges, and software development.
B. Operation of Zhengxianling® (The types of talents on the platform and official account are not limited).
Service-supported regions:
China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, the United States, Canada, etc. (covering more than 100 countries and regions).
Main service content: Online and offline special high-level talent job fairs for cities, parks, and employers, talent-introduction activities related to science and technology innovation (project solicitation, screening, roadshow... implementation, etc.), investment promotion, academic exchange conferences, online job-seeking and recruitment, and offline services are available in the above-mentioned designated countries.
In the past 2024, we have successively joined the Hubei Chushang Federation in China and the World Federation of Inventors' Associations [IFIA], and have established the grand goal of building Zhengxianling into China's first pan-international talent recruitment platform (Language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. will be launched in due time. The establishment of the International HRD (HR) Alliance is in progress), and in the future, it will serve billions of users in more than 200 countries around the world. As of December 31, 2024, we have received a reply from the chairman of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, welcoming Yuntong Technology and Zhengxianling to join the cooperation of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA in 2025. Starting from 2025, we will cooperate with the International Academician Consortium and may participate in activities such as the FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professionals in Europe) European Forum to facilitate international talent exchanges and cooperation, thereby promoting scientific and technological innovation, driving employment, serving global economic construction, and promoting friendly cross-border cooperation to create a better future. Thus, we can better serve users from all over the world.
The Chinese full name of IFIA: World Federation of Inventors' Associations. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and San Francisco, the United States. In February 2024, after being reviewed and approved by the 47th Global Executive Committee of IFIA, Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Zhengxianling] joined the organization. For details, please refer to the official website of IFIA:
https://www.ifia.com/ifia-47th-executive-committee-meeting-held-on-feb-2024/
Our company's recruitment platform will officially launch a paid service starting from February 1, 2025. For details, please refer to:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YmOxE1snwAAvskZgwm5RxA
Currently, we are organizing online and offline special job fairs for high-level talents of international organizations. For details of the event, please refer to the push article on the schedule plan of the international high-level talent recruitment activities of Zhengxianling®:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UGfNhxHRoIs1KZF7Thsfxg
Zhengxianling® recruits a large number of overseas high-level talents and innovative talents all year round. For details, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8YaCD8xaXiDeC93a1foUKQ
Regarding the invitation letter for the initiation of the International HRD (HR) Alliance, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fdg6QB82KAJCeTi0VZVZKQ
We welcome HRs of employers from all over the world, heads of universities and research institutes, academic leaders, young doctors / post-doctors / academicians and other talents to contact us or register to join our platform，The talents we recruit will be preferentially recommended to work in universities, research institutions and other units in China or various countries around the world.
