Universität Passau, located in the picturesque city of Passau in Bayern, Germany, is a modern university founded in 1978. Known for its interdisciplinary approach and international orientation, it sits at the confluence of three rivers, symbolizing its unique position at the borders of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. With around 13,000 students and over 1,300 staff, it excels in fields like law, business administration, computer science, and cultural studies. The university emphasizes research excellence and offers a vibrant campus life, making it an appealing employer for academics and professionals in higher education.
Jobs at Universität Passau span faculty, research, administrative, and support roles. As a public university, positions are governed by German civil service regulations, offering stability, competitive salaries, and excellent benefits. The university's focus on Europe and globalization attracts candidates interested in cross-border collaboration.
Established as a response to Bavaria's need for higher education institutions in the 1970s, Universität Passau (UP) began with departments in law, economics, and social sciences. It expanded to include computer science and humanities, gaining reputation for its Chair of European and International Law and the Passau Institute of Information Systems. Key milestones include its first graduates in 1983 and consistent rise in rankings, such as top positions in German law studies. Today, UP hosts numerous EU-funded projects and partnerships, fostering a dynamic environment for job seekers in research and teaching.
UP offers bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs in six faculties: Law, Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Philosophy and Comparative Cultural Studies, and Theology. Popular programs include International Economics and Business (English-taught) and Governance and Public Policy. This diversity creates varied job opportunities, from lecturing in digital humanities to researching AI ethics.
Career opportunities at UP include tenure-track junior professors (W1/W2), full professors (W3), research associates (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter), postdocs, lecturers, and administrative roles in HR, IT, and international office. Faculty positions emphasize research output and teaching. Research jobs focus on funded projects in law, AI, and sustainability. For an overview of university job types, explore our detailed guide.
W3 Professor (Ordinarius): Full professor position in German academia, permanent, involving research, teaching, and leadership. Requires habilitation or equivalent.
W2 Junior Professor: Tenure-track role for early-career academics, leading to W3 after evaluation.
Habilitation: Post-PhD qualification demonstrating independent research ability, often required for professorships in Germany.
TV-L Pay Scale: Collective agreement for public sector employees in Germany, determining salaries based on experience and level.
HiWi (Student Assistant): Part-time jobs for students supporting research or teaching.
For faculty roles, a PhD (Doktorgrad) in the relevant field is essential. Full professorships typically require habilitation, 5+ years post-PhD experience, and 20+ publications. Research assistants need a master's or PhD with strong grades. Preferred experience includes international publications, grant funding like DFG or EU Horizon, and teaching evaluations. Language requirements: German (C1) for most roles, English for international programs.
UP's research clusters around Digital Transformation, European Studies, and Sustainability. Expertise in AI, cybersecurity, European law, and migration studies is highly sought. Departments collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, such as the Center for Advanced Modeling and Computational Science. Candidates with experience in third-party funding excel.
Preferred experience: Publications in Q1 journals, conference presentations, project leadership. Skills: Grant writing, interdisciplinary teamwork, digital tools. Competencies: Mentoring, public engagement, leadership. Soft skills like adaptability and communication are crucial in UP's international environment. Check higher ed career advice for development tips.
Applications are submitted via the university's online portal (Stellenportal). Required documents: CV, motivation letter, research/teaching statement, list of publications, references. Deadlines are firm; late submissions are rejected. Tips: Tailor to the call, highlight fit with UP's profile, prepare a 20-minute presentation for interviews. Network at conferences. German CV format is standard; use Europass if international. For templates, see our free resume template.
UP's Equal Opportunities Office promotes gender equality with mentoring for female professors and childcare support. The International Office aids non-EU staff with visas and integration courses. Disability services ensure accessibility, and anti-discrimination policies are enforced. The university aims for 30% female professors by 2025 and hosts diversity workshops. This inclusive culture supports global talent.
UP offers 30 days vacation, flexible working hours, sabbaticals, and family leave. Campus features modern facilities, sports center, and riverside location for recreation. Passau's compact size (50,000 residents) provides affordable living (€800-1200 rent), cultural events, and proximity to Vienna/Munich. Staff enjoy subsidized canteens and health programs. The supportive community fosters collaboration and well-being.
In summary, jobs at Universität Passau offer stability and international exposure. Explore higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, and post a job on AcademicJobs.com for more opportunities.
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