Temporary employment contracts for doctoral candidates who work as research assistants during their qualification phase

The far-reaching restrictions in higher education due to the fight against the pandemic lead to questions for many doctoral candidates who are employed at the university and whose employment contracts are subject to the Science Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG). These often affect the maximum term of the contracts. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has issued the Science and Student Support Act to expand the WissZeitVG in this regard. The BMBF press release 043/2020 of 8.4.2020 states:

„The Science and Student Support Act brings relief and flexibility for scientists in their qualification phase, for science institutions and universities as well as for BAföG-funded students and students in vocational training. It contains improvements in the Science Term Contract Act and in the BAföG, which are to come into force retrospectively on March 1, 2020: Due to the current exceptional situation, the Scientific Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG) is supplemented by a temporary transitional regulation: The maximum time limit for scientific and artistic staff who are in their qualification phase is extended by the time of pandemic-related restrictions on university and science operations. Employment relationships for qualifications that exist between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, can be extended by an additional six months.“

Here you will find a link to the ministry‘s website (in German only):www.bmbf.de/de/karliczek-wir-mildern-die-corona-beeintraechtigungen-fuer-studierende-und-wissenschaft-ab-11331.html

If you have any questions, please contact the staff council (Personalrat) at the University of Göttingen (in German only): www.uni-goettingen.de/de/personalrat/63534.html