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Habilitation
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<p>Habilitation is the highest <a href="/facts/Academic_degree/jGIm3uPW">university degree</a>, or the procedure by which it is achieved, in Germany, France, Italy, Poland and some other European and non-English-speaking countries. The candidate fulfills a university's set criteria of excellence in research, teaching, and further education, which usually includes a dissertation. The degree, sometimes abbreviated <i>Dr. habil</i>. (<i>Doctor habilitatus</i>), <i>dr hab.</i> (<i>doktor habilitowany</i>), or <i>D.Sc.</i> (<i><a href="/facts/Doctor_of_Sciences/vKP38chA">Doctor of Sciences</a></i> in Russia and some <a href="/facts/Commonwealth_of_Independent_States/DqccXsyS">CIS</a> countries), is often a qualification for full professorship in those countries. In German-speaking countries it allows the degree holder to bear the title <i>PD</i> (for <i><a href="/facts/Privatdozent/Cd6m1pFt">Privatdozent</a></i>). In a number of countries there exists an academic post of <a href="/facts/Docent/KCh8vk77">docent</a>, appointment to which often requires such a qualification. The degree conferral is usually accompanied by a public oral defence event (a lecture or a colloquium) with one or more opponents. Habilitation is usually awarded 5–15 years after a <a href="/facts/PhD/paJumdN8">PhD</a> degree or its equivalent. Achieving this academic degree does not automatically give the scientist a paid position, though many people who apply for the degree already have steady university employment. </p>