A special announcement was published yesterday, Thursday 12 March, in the weekly newspaper Die Zeit: Leipzig University is inviting applications for the position of rector for the term of office beginning on 1 April 2027. The closing date for applications is six weeks from now. The Extended Senate will elect the rector in the winter semester of 2026/27, provisionally in November 2026.
Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, who has been rector since 1 April 2022, will be among the applicants. The call for applications makes this clear. It specifies that the University is seeking "a distinguished academic with strong leadership qualities and expertise in higher education policy", who is characterised by the ability "to develop strategic concepts under challenging financial conditions, motivate others to support them, and ensure their implementation". In addition, the successful candidate should be able "to drive forward the further development of the University in research, teaching, digitalisation, internationalisation, and knowledge and technology transfer; to ensure compliance with good research practice; and to actively shape cooperation with the City of Leipzig".
"The upcoming election of a rector takes on particular significance in light of the challenge of shaping the strategic future development of our university together as the ’Leipzig University’ team in the context of the necessary budget consolidation," says Chairman of the University Council Dr Hans-Gerhard Husung. He chairs the selection committee, which also comprises the following members: Professor Jörg Junhold and Birgit Munz (for the University Council), Professor Cornelia Exner, Professor Astrid Lorenz and Dr Alexander Yendell (for the Senate), and Bianca Seeger as a representative of the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism in an advisory capacity.
During the summer semester, the selection committee will draw up a shortlist and conduct interviews with applicants. It is expected to adopt its proposal for the election towards the end of the summer semester. The candidates will then present themselves to the University community. The Extended Senate will subsequently elect the rector. Elections to the Senate and the Extended Senate this year will take place from 16 to 23 June 2026.
