On the basis of a questionnaire sent to the scientific societies, information is presented about the administrative organisation involved in selection of applicants for teaching appointments and information about the qualifications of the applicants in 1986. Fourteen specialties had established a central assessment committee. In ten of the specialties, between 11% and 35% of the qualified applicants received teaching appointments, in four specialties between 60% and 80% and in two specialties 100%. The average postgraduate seniority for the selected applicants in the individual specialties was between 5 and 9.8 years. Where the entire material was concerned, the average postgraduate seniority was 6.9 years but information was not available where four specialties were concerned. Seven of the societies stated that assessment of the qualities of scientific articles was undertaken. The average number of articles for the selected applicants varied in the individual specialties from four to 16 articles. It is concluded, that more frankness should be established about selection of the applicants in order to avoid rumours about nepotism and to advise students.