Privatdozent

Privatdozent (PD or Priv.-Doz. for short) is both a title and a position in the European university system, especially in German-speaking countries, for someone who wants to become a university professor.

Becoming a PD

PD-ship is conferred to academics who have earned the degrees of "Dr." (Ph.D., Promotion) and then have written another thesis for the Habilitation and given a lecture before the respective department or faculty of a university. If they pass the vote after that lecture, they receive the venia legendi (or, rarely, venia docendi) and thus the status of PD. This means they can — and actually have to — teach at the respective institution; they also may advise on Ph.D. theses. However, they do not have a formal position and did not use to receive any salary (except the lecture-fees, or salaries, according to the specific classes they taught). Today, however, PD's are usually modestly paid.

Related Topics:
Ph.D. - Habilitation - Venia legendi - Venia docendi

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Professors at a Fachhochschule, as well as Honorary Professors (see Professor), do not need a Habilitation and thus were never PD's. The same is true to professors in the fine arts at academies or similar institutions, as well as in certain other disciplines even at universities, such as engineering.

Related Topics:
Fachhochschule - Professor - Habilitation - Fine arts - Engineering

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