The junior professorship (Juniorprofessur) is an independent professorship for a fixed term that gives early-career academics their own teaching and research. It is the most important alternative to the Habilitation. This glossary explains the terms around the junior professorship, above all tenure track, and what to check before you accept a post.
Short answer: The junior professorship is a fixed-term professorship with its own teaching and research. It is governed by state law. Many posts have a tenure-track option, meaning the prospect of a permanent professorship after a positive interim evaluation. A Habilitation is generally not a prerequisite. Pay follows grade W1.
The most important points
- The junior professorship is a fixed-term professorship with its own teaching and research.
- It is the most important alternative to the Habilitation.
- Its duration is limited and set by state law.
- Many posts come with a tenure-track option.
- Pay follows grade W1, and the amount is set by the state’s pay regulations.
What is a junior professorship?
The junior professorship is meant to give younger academics an independent position before a Habilitation is complete. The post combines teaching duties with research of your own. It is limited in time and therefore differs from a permanent full professorship.
What does tenure track mean?
- After an interim evaluation, the university checks whether the post continues.
- A positive evaluation leads to a permanent professorship, if the post is designed that way.
- A negative evaluation ends the post without a permanent appointment.
- The call for applications states whether tenure track is provided.
Junior professorship or Habilitation: what distinguishes them?
| Feature | Junior professorship | Habilitation |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Professorship for a fixed term | Qualification, often alongside a post |
| Teaching | Own teaching obligation | Teaching licence after completion, teaching often within a post |
| Career route | Tenure track possible | Application for a professorship |
| Legal basis | State law and university statutes | Habilitation regulations of the faculty |
| Pay | W1 | Depends on the post |
The guide Habilitation und Juniorprofessur compares both routes in detail. The glossary entry on the Habilitation is here: Glossary: Habilitation.
Which requirements apply?
The call for applications and state law set the requirements. A completed doctorate and teaching experience are common. Whether a Habilitation helps or is unnecessary depends on the subject. Read the call carefully before you apply.
What should you check in the contract?
- If a tenure-track commitment is provided, it should be stated in writing in the contract.
- Staffing, budget and student assistants.
- The scope of teaching duties and the rules for the interim evaluation.
- Extension rules for childcare, illness or parental leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is a junior professorship a full professorship?
It is a professorship with its own teaching and research. However, it is limited in time and often comes with a tenure-track option. It is not automatically a permanent professorship.
Can I apply before completing my doctorate?
Whether this is possible is stated in the call for applications. Deadlines and requirements differ from post to post.
How much is the pay?
Pay follows grade W1. It is lower than the pay for a W2 or W3 professorship. The exact amount depends on the pay regulations of the respective state.
What happens when a junior professorship ends?
If there is no tenure-track option or the evaluation is negative, the post ends. Many then apply for other professorships, for research posts or look for work outside the university.
Related reading
- Habilitation und Juniorprofessur: Karriereweg und Besoldung
- Glossary: Habilitation
- Glossary: Doktormutter und Doktorvater
- Promotion in Deutschland: Wege, Dauer, Finanzierung und Doktortitel (in German)
- Promotion finanzieren: Stelle, Stipendium oder Eigenmittel im Vergleich (in German)
Sources: Destatis, press release on doctorates in 2025 (in German), 2 October 2026 and Destatis, press release on doctoral candidates 2025 (in German), 26 August 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
