The team from "HFU ProProf"
HFU ProProf project with a wide range of initiatives from talent pool to postdoc tandem
With the HFU ProProf project, Furtwangen University is specifically strengthening academic qualifications and attracting new professors. A digital game is currently being developed in the field of serious games that realistically conveys the requirements and opportunities of a professorship at a university of applied sciences (HAW). It is based on interviews with HFU lecturers who focus primarily on the emotional and interpersonal aspects of everyday working life. An internal test phase will take place in September 2025.
In addition, the HFU provides insights into the professional field of UAS professorships with image films. In these films, lecturers present their research and networking activities, which range from excursions in the Amazon region to social engagement in water protection. An accompanying mini-series provides further insights into laboratories and projects in various departments.
The talent pool for early-career academics at HFU is growing steadily. Career counselling, workshops, and coaching — now also available in English — provide targeted preparation for academic careers. Particularly noteworthy is the inter-university mentoring program “HAW Career” − early-career talent on their way to a HAW professorship receive one year of targeted support and individual guidance from experienced professors or experts from science, business, administration, or culture.
Postdoctoral tandems offer particular added value for companies, with researchers who have recently completed their doctorates working together with professors from HFU and industry partners on application-oriented topics. Existing collaborations with partners such as Karl Storz and SICK demonstrate how successfully research and industry can come together here. Further tandems, for example with KLS Martin, are already in preparation.
The university is also a member of the Dual Career Network Germany. As the central contact platform for dual career support in the German scientific landscape, the network provides professional advice to dual career partners. In addition, the DCND stands for the quality development of dual career services in scientific institutions in Germany and supports the recruitment of top academic talent for Germany as a centre of science.
Further information on the project is available from the contact person for HFU ProProf: Internal link opens in the same window:Sarah Röder