Jim, I’m doctor, not a Ph.D.

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Chemical & Engineering News reports that seven U.S.-educated Ph.D.s at Germany’s prestigious Max Planck research institute are facing jail time because they listed themselves as “Dr.”

According to German criminal law, the title “Dr.” is reserved only for individuals who received a doctoral degree from a European Union institution, explains Erik Kraatz, a criminal lawyer at the Free University, Berlin. Kraatz notes that the law also prohibits masquerading as a police officer, medical doctor, or professor. …

Indeed, to legally use the title “Dr.” in Germany, foreign-trained scientists must request permission from their local German state government. With this state-level consent, they can use the title “Dr.” anywhere in the country. But without the state’s permission to use the title, a scientist breaks two laws: the state law requiring approval to use the “Dr.” title and the federal impersonation law, Kraatz says.

I wonder if I.J. is available for foreign gigs? (Hat Tip Houman.)

Mar 9, 2008 | Comments | Tags: ,

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