 In late 1982, the University of Mannheim (UMA) proposed Arndt a position as chaired professor at the Department of Tax and Public Law, a proposal that he accepted in 1983.In 2001 Arndt succeeded Peter Frankenberg in his role as rector of the university.During his time as rector Arndt changed UMA's academic profile from a university with a broad subject offering to a university with a strong focus on interdisciplinary social sciences, business administration, economics, law and computer science research.