New ways to UAS

H-BRS positions itself as an attractive employer for young academics

PeP@H-BRS – something that would likely raise question marks among the uninitiated is nothing less than a comprehensive initiative by H-BRS to increase its attractiveness as an employer. The project is part of the federal state programme

“FH-Personal”, which aims to attract more young professors to universities of applied sciences (UAS). As such, H-BRS puts a special focus on supporting women on the career path to a professorship at a university of applied sciences.

By tandem to professorship

With funding of over two million Euros until 2028, H-BRS wants to establish a sustainable personnel development concept, fund focus-professorships and set up a tandem programme for postdocs.

The focus-professorships, which are advertised internally for five years, are meant to expand the university’s own research on sustainability topics. “As a result, professors can contribute to building the profile of H-BRS, acquire funding for research, and ideally establish research and cooperation projects in the long term beyond the funding period,” says Vice President for Research and Young Academics, Remi Maier-Rigaud.

In the tandem programme, postdocs work for three years, half at H-BRS and half at a project partner (research institute or company). “Postdocs gain relevant professional, research and teaching experience to ultimately apply to work at a university of applied sciences. This means, at the end of the tandem programme, they can apply for a UAS-professorship – gladly with us,” Maier-Rigaud explains the advantages of the scheme.

A new management culture

A further goal of PeP@H-BRS is to increase the number of female professors. The new Gender Consulting position has been occupied since April 2023. It influences the leadership culture at H-BRS and cements topics such as teamwork and family justice in management and leadership structures. Furthermore, it advises researchers and supports them by addressing gender equality and diversity issues in research proposals.

“Gender equality is now a requirement of funding institutions and research design. We see it as our task to encourage researchers to think of their research topics in terms of parity,” emphasizes Barbara Hillen, Equal Opportunity Officer.