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International Office
The picture shows the Mathetower and cherry blossoms in the foreground. © Nikolas Golsch​/​TU Dortmund
Increasing international visibility in research and science

Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University

By offering the opportunity to confer the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” on international researchers, the aim is to increase the international visibility of TU Dortmund University in research and science. To this end, renowned researchers with an international presence who are not employed by TU Dortmund University but have maintained close scientific ties with the university in the past and have thus already contributed to the university’s international visibility may receive the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University.”

The researchers must hold at least a doctoral degree and be able to demonstrate several scientific publications following their doctorate. These publications should have been published in renowned international, peer-reviewed journals with a high impact factor. The individual’s achievements should be significantly above average in the relevant field. 

The title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” is intended to give researchers the opportunity to affiliate their activities – e.g., publications or project (co-)work – with TU Dortmund University. They also receive access to the IT infrastructure of TU Dortmund University.

There is no legal entitlement to the title. The title does not establish an employment relationship nor does it confer a right to hold an office.

Researchers who have received the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” are authorized to use it for five years. Provided the requirements continue to be met, the authorization to use the title may be extended for an additional five years.

Researchers who have received the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” must submit a report to the Rectorate at the end of the five-year term detailing the activities they have carried out, in which an active and visible affiliation with TU Dortmund University was evident.

Application Procedure

The Dean of the relevant department submits a written application for the conferral of the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” to the President. The application must first be approved by the Department Council.

The application procedure applies both to the initial conferral of the title and to the renewal of the authorization to use the title. An application for renewal must be submitted no later than three months before the end of the five-year conferral period.

The application must include:

  1. Information about the person to be awarded the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University” including a curriculum vitae.
  2. A description of the outstanding achievements in research and teaching, both in general and in collaboration with TU Dortmund University (the former includes, in particular, the international visibility of the person to be honored; the latter may include, in particular, extended, third-party funded guest stays at TU Dortmund University, multiple publications co-authored with TU Dortmund University researchers, third-party funds  acquired jointly with TU Dortmund University researchers, etc.). In addition, a long-standing, continuous cooperation should be demonstrable.
  3. An explanation of the extent to which the awarding of the title provides further internationally visible added value for TU Dortmund University in the sense described above,
  4. The minutes of the Department Council meeting at which the application was approved.

The Rectorate decides on the application. The Rectorate may reject or accept the application. It must be rejected in particular if the requirements listed under 1. lit. b) to d) are not met.

Awarding of the title

If the Rectorate accepts the application, the person in question receives a letter confirming the conferral of the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University.” The letter of award is signed by the President and the Dean of the relevant department. Upon receipt of the letter of award, the person is entitled to use the title “Distinguished Researcher at TU Dortmund University.” This entitlement expires five years after the letter is issued, unless an extension is granted.

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