Regulation of employment contracts for academic staff.

The German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG) regulates that and how academic staff may be employed on a fixed-term basis at higher education institutions and research institutions in Germany. It is intended to ensure that young people can become established in academia (glossary-internal link) and work on different projects during their period of qualification.

What is the WissZeitVG?

The WissZeitVG permits higher education institutions and research institutions to impose fixed-term employment contracts pertaining to academic staff. These periods of fixed-term employment are intended to apply to the likes of qualification for a PhD (glossary-internal link). It facilitates multiple periods of fixed-term employment in academia, by way of derogation from regular employment law. In this case, the duration of the periods of fixed-term employment should be measured in such a way that this duration at least corresponds to the envisaged qualification.

How long can you work as a research associate?

The WissZeitVG permits certain groups of people working in academia to be employed on a fixed-term basis for up to a total of 12 years: six years before and six years after their PhD. This period can be extended in certain disciplines, such as medicine. Academic staff often work for periods of fixed-term employment during this time – to qualify or for professional development purposes. Parental leave and child-raising spells extend the duration of fixed-term employment.

The WissZeitVG covers:

• Fixed-term employment contracts: higher education institutions can set a fixed term in employment contracts for academic staff.
• Academic staff: this includes academic and artistic employees as well as teaching staff for specific tasks.
• Qualification phases: periods of fixed-term employment are permissible if they relate to academic or artistic qualification.

• Projects financed by third-party funds: periods of fixed-term employment are also possible in the context of projects that are financed by third-party funds.