Privatdozent

thumb|Caricature of a Privatdozent from German satirical periodical Fliegende Blätter (1848): "A German Privatdozent who, wrapped up in his hopes, turns into a mummy."

Privatdozent (for men) or Privatdozentin (for women), abbreviated PD, P.D. or Priv.-Doz., is an academic title conferred at some European universities, especially in German-speaking countries, to someone who holds certain formal qualifications that denote an ability (facultas docendi) and permission to teach (venia legendi) a designated subject at the highest level. To be granted the title Priv.-Doz. by a university, a recipient has to fulfill the criteria set by the university which usually require excellence in research, teaching, and further education.