So, about one year ago on 1 March 2024 I had my first day as full tenured professor at University of Hohenheim (Germany). I want share some (random) thoughts on the first year, how it was to arrive somewhere. What worked, what didn't. What suprised me, what brought me joy and what didn't. (1/x) - ThreadSky

simonhammann.bsky.social • 9 days ago

So, about one year ago on 1 March 2024 I had my first day as full tenured professor at University of Hohenheim (Germany). I want share some (random) thoughts on the first year, how it was to arrive somewhere. What worked, what didn't. What suprised me, what brought me joy and what didn't. (1/x)

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simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

cc @amreibahr.bsky.social work in progress

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

h/t to @jeremymberg.bsky.social for abe simpson gif

comptonscatter.bsky.social•9 days ago

cute how you under-50s call yourselves old men

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

As background: I did my food chemistry degree and PhD at Hohenheim, went as Postdoc to Bristol (2016-2019) before joining FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg as a non-tenure track assistant professor (W1 in German system) just before Covid in December 2019. This is now my first permanent position (2/x)

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

I know Hohenheim quite well already from my student/PhD time, the Food Chemistry section has two professorships, and the other one is my PhD supervisor. So it was a bit like coming home in some sense, and I (though I?) knew what the basic pros and cons of Hohenheim were (3/x)

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

The feeling of joy because tenured didn't settle in straight away (not sure it has really clicked yet), but knowing that I can build something for the next 30 years definitely made a difference. It makes efforts feel worthwhile at least knowing you don't have to leave it behind (4/x)

marcellamarcuse.bsky.social•8 days ago

😳 30 years, that's - something. I know that I'll most probably be more or less at the same place for about 6 years during my PhD in the US, which feels incredible compared to what awaits me in Germany, but is still not enough to plan ahead for: partnerships, friends, retirement, having children.....

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

Also, pay is very nice and my pensions projections made me faint for a short moment. Job security is ace. This is certainly a very priviliged and lucrative job, once you arrive at those positions. So don't get me wrong, I don't want to complain about any of this. (5/x)

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

When I arrived in March 24 there were 8 Master students for their final thesis, another 8 PhD students from previous Prof, two experienced researchers, plus several technicians and admin assistant there. Not an empty room, but more of a running start, with its own challenges (6/x)

simonhammann.bsky.social•9 days ago

Certainly a major step up from the small group that I had at my previous position. I was actually concious and nervous of coming in from the outside, also looking to change certain thigs and how to approach this. But certainly also advantages to not start completely from scratch ((7/x)

herzog.bsky.social•8 days ago

Great thread - thank you for sharing your insights!

simonhammann.bsky.social•8 days ago

Thanks! Happy to hear you liked it

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