The WiSo Faculty at the University of Cologne has a wealth of experience in research and teaching. Our EQUIS accreditation is testimony to the Faculty’s comprehensive and successful efforts to ensure continued, internationally competitive improvement in the quality of the education and teaching it provides. A tradition of broad subject variety, excellence in research, a focus on industry practice and an international outlook – these are the advantages we want to continue to build our reputation on, in Germany and abroad.
Achieving excellence – thanks to our professors and staff!
The Faculty’s success in these efforts is down to our motivated professors and staff, who enable us to achieve excellence in research and teaching. It is crucial that the people who work for us can work effectively and reliably if we are to continue to be a top performer and to achieve the ambitious goals we have set ourselves. With this in mind, our aim is to offer our professors and staff, academic, administrative and technical alike, ideal conditions that are conducive to their wellbeing and performance.
What makes us the ideal employer for you?
Are you thinking of applying for a job at the WiSo Faculty? We are always happy to hear from motivated job candidates and we like to reward our employees’ motivation with conditions in which they can thrive. Below are just a few of the reasons why our Faculty could be ideal for you. Professors should also check the Information portal for new members of the University of Cologne.
Our aim is to offer our professors and staff, academic, administrative and technical alike, ideal conditions that are conducive to their wellbeing and performance.
Excellence in research and teaching
The WiSo Faculty enjoys an outstanding reputation due to its industry-focused teaching and application-oriented research.
In 2012, the University of Cologne became one of eleven Germany universities to have been awarded “university of excellence” status; as such, it receives special funding from Germany’s national and federal state governments. The Excellent Research Support Program (ERSP) offers targeted financial support at all levels of research. For more information, visit: http://exzellenz.uni-koeln.de/spitzenforschung0.html?&L=1
Innovation in teaching: the University of Cologne has central quality development funds, with which it supports innovative, ground-breaking ideas aimed at optimising teaching quality. More information about this and the WiSo Faculty projects currently being funded is provided on the University of Cologne website .
The University of Cologne offers a wide range of research possibilities and academic disciplines, which are supported through scholarships and financial support from, for example, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, EURAXESS and EURAXESS Germany.
The University of Cologne helps all of its researchers, staff and students bring their research findings, inventions and ideas to market. Whether you’re planning a start-up or looking for investors, we’re here to help!
The Rankings section has information on how our Faculty has fared in important league tables.
International research
In spring 2016 alone, more than 90 researchers from all over the world joined various institutes and faculties at the University of Cologne. Like-minded, interested and interesting colleagues are never far away!
“Albert’s International Assistance” – a central, cross-faculty service for internationally mobile researchers. Provides help and advice, from support for international scholars preparing a research stay to opportunities to stay in touch through the Researcher Alumni Network.
IFS Mentoring at the University of Cologne – Germany’s first mentoring programme specifically for female scholars from abroad, backed up by various workshops and individual coaching.
The International Office helps graduates and researchers from the University of Cologne plan, apply for, find financing for and prepare research stays abroad.
The University of Cologne supports young researchers interested in international exchanges through its “Mobility Grants for National and International Young Faculty”. This scheme is an integral part of the University’s institutional strategy and helps postdoc researchers looking to go on short placements at cooperating research institutions around the world. It also enables young researchers from other countries to be invited to Cologne.
Albert’s Global Researcher Network at the University of Cologne – a resourceful and successful network of current and former researchers at the University (PhD students, postdoc researchers and visiting professors), which supports incoming international researchers from the very beginning of their stay and endeavours to ensure a connection that lasts long after the research stay at the University of Cologne.
An extensive network of partner higher education institutions in various regions around the world ensures that researchers and students from the WiSo Faculty benefit. More information is available here: http://international.uni-koeln.de/6806.html?&L=1 and https://www.wiso.uni-koeln.de/de/international/profile/
Diversity and equal opportunity
Diversity & equal opportunity are important to us – the University of Cologne is committed to diversity, variety of perspective, equality, family friendliness, internationalisation, interculturality, accessibility and educational justice.
We feel that a competent approach to differences enriches the University experience as well as being a sign of quality.
Services for families
“Family Support”: We realise the importance of being able to combine family and work. The University of Cologne Family Support Team provides assistance in all key areas, both with regard to childcare and nursing for relatives. Further information can be found on the website of Department 45: Dual Career & Family Support.
Childcare at Paramecium: the University’s own nursery, situated very close to the main University buildings. Provides day care for researchers’, other employees’ and students’ children (from 4 months up to school age, which is 6 in Germany). Open around 50 hours per week; childcare is provided by specialist nursery staff (Department 45: Dual Career & Family Support (CFS)). If no places are available at the University’s own nursery, CFS will help you find other options.
There are international schools in and around Cologne, to help children of international staff get used to their new home. A list of international schools and bilingual nurseries in Cologne and nearby can be found here: http://international-scholars.uni-koeln.de/9306.html?&L=1
Wide range of continuing training courses
The University of Cologne offers its academic staff an extensive range of in-house continuing training opportunities, which are listed on the intranet.
In-house continuing training for all technical, administrative and academic staff
Additional information on continuing training opportunities for University of Cologne employees can be found on the University of Cologne website (in German).
University of Cologne awarded seal of approval for fair and transparent professor appointment negotiations
The University of Cologne has again been awarded the DHV seal of approval for fair and transparent professor appointment negotiations. The DHV (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers) renewed the seal (originally awarded on 1 February 2014) for another five years as of February 2017, making the University the second in Germany to have successfully completed the re-audit process required after three years.
“The DHV seal of approval is an aid in the continuing development of the culture surrounding our professor appointment process. The consultation that takes place as part of the audit gave us some valuable input and set change processes in motion”, explained the Rector of the University of Cologne, Professor Dr. Axel Freimuth.
The re-audit process is based on the process for awarding seals of approval, which in turn is largely based on a weighted questionnaire with 42 questions as well as special re-audit questions developed by the DHV, drawing on its consultancy experience concerning professor appointment processes. The DHV advises academics in around 70% of all negotiations to appoint and renew contracts of professors in Germany. The audit focused on the aspects of fairness, appreciation, transparency and reliability in the appointment and renewal negotiations and also considered the statements provided by the University. In addition, interviews were conducted with professors at the University of Cologne concerning their experiences during the appointment process, and the DHV’s legal advisors contributed their practical knowledge.
Advice and support for managerial and non-managerial employees
The University of Cologne offers support in the area of management and leadership skills for academic staff with managerial responsibility and especially for newly appointed staff.
Further services for our managerial and non-managerial employees in the academic and administrative spheres can be found on the University of Cologne HR Management website (in German).
Cologne: Countless cultural and leisure activities
Cologne – an almost infinite number of museums, art exhibitions, independent theatres and cultural events (like the carnival or concerts by internationally acclaimed performers) make the city unique.
Cologne’s various districts each has its own charm. Cologne is also one of Europe’s major media centres, Germany’s television capital, a centre for trade exhibitions and congresses and has an easily accessible location in the heart of the European Union!
Thanks to the numerous parks in and around the city, Cologne is one of Germany’s greenest cities. The University’s own park grounds are a great place for a stroll and the “Innere Grüngürtel” (inner green belt) stretches approximately seven kilometres from Köln-Riehl on the banks of the Rhine to Luxemburger Straße.
Cologne is cyclist-friendly. There are lots of cycle routes for a ride through the city and its surroundings, providing a refreshing alternative to travel by car.
Cologne nightlife: from the pubs of the “Altstadt” (old town) to the beergardens of the Belgian Quarter – with more than 70 clubs and venues, there’s something for every taste!
Cologne also has a number of religious communities, contributing to the city’s religious diversity.
Leisure activities offered by the University of Cologne
The University of Cologne offers its employees a variety of leisure activities. Here’s a small selection:
Sport: An attractive, extensive range of sports is available to University of Cologne employees: Unifit (€20 per month for staff), campussport (UniSport²), Hochschulsport (very wide range, from martial arts to sports holidays)
Music: Our university orchestra (Collegium musicum der Universität zu Köln) offers students, lecturers and other staff from the University, plus outside guests, an opportunity to play music together or to listen and relax.
Other services provided by the University
The University of Cologne provides a range of useful services for all of its staff and professors, including:
