Hiring Procedure
Once the appointment offer has been accepted following the appointment negotiations, the formal hiring procedure (formal appointment) at the Brandenburg Ministry for Science, Research and Culture (MWFK) will be prepared. You can be appointed as a civil servant ("Beamter") if you are no older than 50 years of age. Alternatively, you can be appointed as a public employee or be transferred from your previous civil servant position within Germany.
FAQ
Documents for the formal appointment
- Health Requirements
An appropriate health status is a legal requirement for being appointed to a civil servant position; a public health officer will assess your fitness. The University of Potsdam will cover the costs for this medical examination. We recommend that you arrange for an appointment with the health officer as soon as possible as there can be longer waiting times. The appointment management team will send you a letter for the health officer that will inform them about the details. We can also support you in finding the relevant health office abroad. - Certificate of Conduct
The request for a certificate of conduct for presentation to a German authority (certificate of conduct for official purposes or "zur Vorlage bei einer Behörde") must be made in person (for a fee) in your local citizen registration office ("Bürgeramt") or at a German embassy/consulate. You must have your ID/passport and the address of the University of Potsdam as your future employer when you submit your request. Citizens of other European Union member states who live in Germany have to request a “European certificate of good conduct” that also provides information about the applicant’s criminal record in their state of origin. As a German citizen residing outside of Germany, you can submit a written application to the Federal Office of Justice. - Further documents
- Certified (translated) copies of all academic degrees attained since secondary school graduation
- updated CV (dated and signed, paper copy; for German citizens in German)
The appointment management team will also provide a personnel questionnaire which you are required to fill out for your personnel file at the university. Additionally you will receive a form to initiate the inquiry according to the Act to to Improve the Protection of the Career Civil Service System in Brandenburg from Opponents of the Constitution.
Social security and health insurance
Civil servants ("Beamte") are exempt from contributions to all of the branches of the public social insurances but are still required by law to take out insurance. The State of Brandenburg provides a partial coverage in the form of "Beihilfe" for health and care insurance as well as expenses incurred due to births and deaths.
Additional or remaining costs should be covered by choosing a private insurance supplementing the "Beihilfe". Alternatively, you can choose a private or public full-coverage health insurance, in which case the State of Brandenburg offers the "pauschale Beihilfe" as a subsidy for the costs.
More information on "Beihilfe" can be found at the Central Remuneration Office of the State of Brandenburg (ZBB).
For jointly appointed professors under the Julich model, please see the further information below.
Jointly appointed professors - Julich Model (Jülicher Modell)
Jointly appointed professors in the Julich model ("Jülicher Modell") are granted leave of absence from their civil servant status so they can fulfil their duties at the non-universitary research institution. With the notice for the leave of absence, the civil servants receive the information that they are considered equal under civil service law if the payment of the pension supplements is made by the non-university research institution (a cooperation agreement specifies the details).
The period of leave counts towards the pension in taht case. Upon resignation or retirement and termination of the leave of absence, the person is then entitled to pension payments according to the civil service regulations. If the person leaves the civil service prematurely, back payments to the regular social security scheme may be required, including payments to the pension insurance and the loss of pension entitlements.
Exemption from contributions to the public health and unemployment insurances exists if the non-university research institution grants "Beihilfe" (i.e. partial coverage of the costs of insurance) and an entitlement to continued payment of remuneration in the event of illness in accordance with civil service regulations. These details are specified in the employment contract with the non-university research institution.
Jointly appointed professors - Thuringian Model (Thüringer Modell)
The appointment is carried out without establishing a public employment or civil servant status with the state of Brandenburg. For the duration of the employment at the research institution the appointee has the right to hold the title "Professor".
Please send the appointment management team an updated CV (dated and signed paper copy).
You will receive a formal letter from the president for the professorship, usually handed out in ashort and initial get-together.
Relocation costs
Relocation costs like for a moving company or real estate agent fees can only be reimbursed if this was agreed in writing during the appointment negotiations. Please contact the colleagues in charge at the Central Remuneration Office of the State of Brandenburg (ZBB)well in advance to discuss your moving plans.