How to become a medical professor – a comparative analysis of academic requirements in Germany and the United States

Abstract

BackgroundThe acquisition of a medical professorship represents a significant step in a physician’s academic career. The responsibility as well as the honor and the associated obligations are significant; however, the requirements to become a medical professor vary in Germany.ObjectiveWe analyzed the variable requirements for prospective medical professors in Germany, with special focus on the tenure track concept and the U.S. system.MethodsBased on an online research, we queried German medical faculty regulations to obtain a medical professorship within Germany.ResultsWe analyzed 35 German universities. On average, 11 publications are required after “venia legendi” to meet professorship (apl) prerequisites (median x̅ = 10, max = 24, min = 6, n = 16), whereas 6 publications with first or last authorship are required on average (x̅ = 6, max = 16, min = 4, n = 26). In most German universities, it takes an average of 4 years after gaining habilitation to apply for a professorship (x̅ = 5 years, max = 6 years, min = 2 years). Candidates for university chair positions, however, can shorten this period by an average of 38%.DiscussionIn the German academic system, the prerequisites to gain a professorship differ among universities. Due to different scientific cooperation and exchange programs, research and academic activities have reached an intense international exchange level. Yet there is no international or even national standardization, quality assurance, and comparability to gain a medical professorship.

Requirements for Becoming an Adjunct Professor in Medicine: A Comparative Analysis of the Regulations of German Medical Faculties

“…After a period of usually seven years as an assistant professor, promotion to associate professor is possible within the framework of the tenure track. The associate professorship is linked to specific university requirements such as the acquisition of third-party funding, outstanding achievements in research, and teaching and clinical activity, and corresponds roughly to the adjunct professorship in Germany [2,23].…”

“…Within the last 20 years, studies have repeatedly shown large differences in the requirements for academic qualification [2][3][4]. This is still evident, although changes are discernible in some places.…”

“…On the other hand, it is a beneficial career factor that is associated with a certain reputation advantage. Alawi et al [2] placed the adjunct professor below a full professor (W2/W3). This is justified by the fact that it is an unpaid faculty position; in contrast, a full professor is associated with a management function and personnel responsibility.…”

“…An international classification of adjunct professorship as an academic career path is only possible to a limited extent. Previous studies show clear differences in the regulations for professorships in the stipulated requirements among nations and faculties [2][3][4]. In view of the various academic career paths worldwide, there are calls for more transparency and better comprehensibility of the career stages in the international scientific community [5].…”

Die medizinische Habilitation an deutschen Hochschulen: ein Vergleich der Ordnungen über 23 Jahre

“…Abb 1. 8 Boxplot der Gesamtscores der Anforderungen an die Habilitanden an medizinischen Fakultäten im Jahr 1998 (links), 2010 (Mitte) und 2021 (rechts)…”