Appointments in the Technological Sciences

At a glance

• The close integration of academic research and industrial practice has made a significant contribution to the strength of Germany’s innovation system over several decades.
• It is important to maintain this strength in view of the major challenges facing society, such as the energy transition and ongoing process of digitalisation.
• This will require a combination of theoretically and practically focused university professors in the technological sciences.
• It is therefore important to ensure the continued – and indeed increased – appointment of engineers from industry to university posts.
• In addition to publications, other criteria such as candidates’ previous positions and other achievements and successes should also be taken into account.
• Universities should also simplify appointment procedures, allow professors more time for teaching and carrying out their own research, and utilise the industry contacts of professors with a background in industry.

Methodological approach

The acatech POSITION PAPER “Appointments in the Technological Sciences” is the result of a broad consultation of actors in the technological sciences and industry. The project group contained representatives of the key technological science fields, technology-intensive industries, and social scientists and humanities scholars engaged in research into the technological sciences. The interim findings were discussed by a wide group of experts and stakeholders from academia and industry. acatech also asked its Senate members’  companies and – in conjunction with the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) – a selection of small and medium-sized enterprises for their opinions about the appointment of university professors with industry experience. Cooperation between universities and industry was also discussed at a joint workshop with the Technical University of Berlin on “Knowledge Transfer in the Technological Sciences”.