professor
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professor
A university teacher of the highest academic rank who conducts research and teaches at a university or college.
Der Professor für Geschichte hält heute eine Vorlesung über das Römische Reich.
The professor of history is giving a lecture today about the Roman Empire.
To name a professor's field, you use the preposition 'für' (+ accusative). The university is given with 'an der' (+ dative).
Er ist Professor für moderne Geschichte an der Universität Heidelberg.
He is a professor of modern history at Heidelberg University.
In Germany and Austria, it is common and a sign of respect to address a person directly with this title. For example, you say 'Guten Tag, Herr Professor Meier' (Good day, Professor Meier).
Entschuldigen Sie, Herr Professor, dürfte ich Ihnen eine Frage stellen?
Excuse me, Professor, may I ask you a question?
The word 'Professor' (professor) belongs to a word family related to teaching at university. The position or post of a professor is called 'die Professur' (professorship).
Sie hat eine Professur für Biologie in Berlin angenommen.
She accepted a professorship in biology in Berlin.
lecturer
Both words can refer to a person at a university who teaches. Professor, however, explicitly denotes a high academic rank and usually also involves research; Dozent primarily describes teaching and can also refer to people without a professorship. Use Professor for the rank and Dozent for teaching.
Die Professorin forscht an der Universität und hält außerdem Vorlesungen.
The professor conducts research at the university and also gives lectures.
Der Dozent hält an der Universität ein Seminar über moderne Literatur.
The lecturer is leading a seminar on modern literature at the university.
