Professors are responsible for research, teaching and services in their respective fields and thus contribute significantly to the quality and success of the university. The University of Basel has different types of professorships, and depending on the career level, promotion to a higher category is possible after an appropriate period of time and an evaluation. The processes associated with the appointment and promotion of professorships are the responsibility of the individual faculties and are based on university-wide guidelines. At the level of the President's Board and the University Council, the General Secretariat office accompanies these processes and coordinates the «INSIDE» training program specifically designed for professors.

Decision makers are faced with a multitude of questions that require the systematic consideration of a wide range of facts and perspectives. The General Secretariat office carries out research and surveys, creates analyses and prepares figures for use by university management committees. In this context, the office is also responsible for university rankings. In addition, it promotes the evidencebased development of the institution at a universitywide level by sharing technical and contentbased skills that enable professional surveys to be carried out independently.