Privatdozent / private lecturer
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Privatdozent
A scholar who has completed a habilitation and has the authorization to teach at a university, but does not hold a professorship. The abbreviation is PD or Priv.-Doz.
Nach seiner Habilitation arbeitet er als Privatdozent für mittelalterliche Geschichte und hofft auf eine Professur.
After completing his habilitation, he works as a Privatdozent in medieval history and hopes to obtain a professorship.
The word consists of 'Privat' (private) and 'Dozent' (lecturer at a university). Here, 'Privat' does not mean that the person teaches at a private university. It is an official academic title at state universities for instructors without a professorship.
Als Privatdozent hält er Seminare, hat aber keinen eigenen Lehrstuhl.
As a Privatdozent, he teaches seminars but does not have his own chair.
The title 'Privatdozent' is a special feature of the German university system and of some other European countries. It does not exist in this form in the Anglo-American world, for example, and describes a specific career stage between a doctorate and a professorship.
In Deutschland ist die Habilitation die Voraussetzung, um Privatdozent zu werden.
In Germany, the habilitation is the prerequisite for becoming a Privatdozent.
In academic contexts, the abbreviation 'PD' or 'Priv.-Doz.' is almost always used. It appears as a title before the name, similar to 'Dr.' or 'Prof.'.
Die Vorlesung hält heute PD Dr. Neumann.
Today's lecture is being given by PD Dr. Neumann.
lecturer
Dozent mainly describes the work of a person who teaches at a university. Privatdozent, by contrast, is a specific academic title for a scholar who has completed a habilitation and is authorized to teach but does not hold a professorship. If you only mean the teaching activity, you can say „Dozent“; the status makes „Privatdozent“ more precise.
Der Privatdozent hält heute ein Seminar an der Universität, obwohl er keine Professur hat.
The university lecturer with a habilitation is leading a seminar today, even though he does not hold a professorship.
Der Dozent hält heute ein Seminar an der Universität.
The lecturer is leading a seminar at the university today.
