Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG)
The Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Science(Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG) enables fixed-term employment contracts for scientific and artistic staff outside the restrictions of the Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act.
Fixed-term employment contracts with academics in the qualification phases (Section 2 (1) WissZeitVG) require that the fixed-term employment is for the promotion of academic or artistic qualification. The fixed-term period must be calculated in such a way that it is appropriate for the desired qualification (see also contract on good employment conditions).
The qualification may be the promotion of a doctorate, habilitation, additional academic achievements or another academic further training objective.
The fixed-term period for academic staff who are predominantly financed from third-party funds (Section 2 (2) WissZeitVG) should correspond to the approved project period.
Types of time limitation
- Before the doctorate: Research assistants may be employed for a fixed term of up to six years.
- After the doctorate: A further fixed-term employment limited to a total of six years is possible.
- Bonus period: The maximum fixed-term period is extended after the doctorate to the extent that periods of fixed-term employment before the doctorate and doctoral periods without employment were less than six years.
- Third-party funded employment: For academic staff who are predominantly financed by third-party funds, the duration of the contract should correspond to the project period.
Crediting of periods:
- All fixed-term employment relationships (including those financed by third-party funding) with at least a quarter of regular working hours at German universities and research institutions, as well as fixed-term civil servant relationships and private service contracts in accordance with Section 3 WissZeitVG are counted towards the six-year time limits. Fixed-term contracts under other legal provisions are also counted.
Extension options:
- The employment relationship can be extended for reasons specified in Section 2 (1) WissZeitVG. There is an entitlement to an extension in accordance with § 2 Para. 5 WissZeitVG, for example in the case of maternity leave, parental leave or prolonged illness.
Please contact your responsible HR officer directly if you have any questions regarding fixed-term contracts.