Freie Universität Berlin is accepting applications for the position of University President to [...]

Overview

Freie Universität Berlin is accepting applications for the position of University President to commence duties on July 6, 2026.

Ist dies der nächste Schritt in Ihrer Karriere? Finden Sie heraus, ob Sie der richtige Kandidat sind, indem Sie die vollständige Übersicht unten lesen.

Responsibilities and expectations

The ideal candidate will promote the development of Freie Universität Berlin by implementing a decisive vision of the university’s future and intensifying collaborative ties with the Berlin University Alliance. Proactively shape structural changes in response to social, technological, scientific, and academic challenges by engaging with all members of the university across various status groups. Possess extensive leadership experience in governing an academic institution and foster integration across contexts and levels. Address the interests represented within the academic community and incorporate them into productive dialogue, guided by strategic, long-term planning and understanding of diverse scientific fields and cultures. Actively support diversity and equal opportunity.

Governance and statutory framework

The Executive Board is the head of Freie Universität Berlin. According to Freie Universität Berlin’s University Statutes (Grundordnung) its work and decision-making practices are based on the “collegiality principle” (Kollegialprinzip). The president determines and is responsible for policymaking within the Executive Board and acts as the representative of the university publicly. The president serves as the institutional authority (Dienstbehörde), supreme institutional authority (oberste Dienstbehörde), and holds the highest authority over the personnel office and personnel finance office. The employment responsibilities associated with the position require Freie Universität Berlin to be the president’s primary employer. The president serves a four-year term.

Legal framework for candidature and appointment

According to the Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz), requirements to run for election include an academic degree and years of professional leadership experience in science, academia, business, administration, or justice administration that prove the candidate is suited to perform the duties required of this position. During their time in office, the president is promoted to the status of “civil servant on a temporary basis” (Beamtin auf Zeit). Their salary is commensurate with the W3 pay grade plus a bonus based on their function and performance level. If a professor from a public university in the state of Berlin becomes president, they are granted an unpaid leave of absence for their professorship during their time in office. If, prior to being elected, the president was a professor at a university outside the jurisdiction of the Berlin Higher Education Act, they will be appointed professor at Freie Universität Berlin upon request after their term in office without having to conduct a professorial appointment procedure, provided that they also meet the general legal requirements for the position.

Election process

The president is elected by the Extended Academic Senate of Freie Universität Berlin by a majority vote of its members. The Berlin Senate then appoints the president.

Position details

• Seniority level: Executive
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Other
• Industries: Research Services