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[alpha_bet]

A question:
If one has done a Habilitationsprojekt in Germany (and presumably finished or published the book afterward), what does this translate to in English academia? A "postdoctoral degree?" Or something more specific?

[qrypt]

It doesn't translate -- there's no equivalent.  Having published the book adds to your research record -- that's what it gives you. 

[totoro]

Well, it's equivalent to getting tenure in the US system but it doesn't actually give you a tenured position but just allows you to get one if you can.

[euro_trash]

Well, it's equivalent to getting tenure in the US system but it doesn't actually give you a tenured position but just allows you to get one if you can.

Not really...

[hulkhogan]

I've always looked at it this way: A "Habilitation" is an academic examination (similar to writing a second dissertation) that allows you to accept positions as a full professor. In simplified form, in the U.S., "professor" (as in "full professor") is strictly a rank whereas in Germany, "professor" is both a rank and an academic degree. You will see that those people who hold positions as full professors in Germany will always be referred to as "Prof. Dr. X" whereas in the U.S., you remain "Dr. X" regardless of rank and years of service. It's a bit more complicated since some people who have passed their habilitation will refer to themselves as "Prof. Dr." even without the position while others will not. Some are also given the somewhat muddy title of "Privatdozent," which to me was always code for "this person has passed his/her habilitation but is currently not in a position ranked as 'professor.'" I'm not 100% sure how exactly these latter two decisions are made.

However, in the German system, generally only someone who has passed his/her habilitation may direct dissertations and be the chair of examination committees. Often, even the rank of "professor" is needed to become a dissertation advisor.

In addition, if an academic department is divided into sub-specialties, each one of the sub-departments (called a "Lehrstuhl") is generally headed by a Prof. Dr. who has passed his/her habilitation. The other faculty members are then "attached" to these "Lehrstuehle," which often means that the Prof. Dr. determines the sub-department's research agenda, and everyone else has to follow suit.

[monsterx]

I have the equivilant of the Habilitation, and I explain what it is in a footnote on my CV.   I put it under "degrees", since it's not a job title.   It seems to me in countries where these things matter, it is functionally like a degree - a post-post-graduate degree.