Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz

The Wissenschaftszeitvertraggesetz (WissZeitVG) is a law that regulates fixed term contracts in the sciences and research at German higher education institutions. The law covering fixed term contracts came into effect on April 18th, 2007. According to the law there are special rules to abide by when carrying out a temporary contract; however, such rules do not apply to university lecturers. The WissZeitVG law is only applied in such circumstances if the reasons for the limits in the contract are explicitly referred to.  

The WissZeitVG contains rules for temporary employment of scientific and artistic staff at universities and non-university research institutions. The law includes rules for the qualification phase and for the case that the job is financed by third-party funds.

According to the WissZeitVG, employment contracts of scientific/artistic staff members or assistants can be limited to up to 15 years. This period is divided into a qualification phase consisting of six years and a further six to nine years of a post-doc phase. Within this time, a dissertation should be written and further qualifications, such as gaining a professorship, should be achieved.

The law was originally supposed to simplify scientists’ work on research projects at universities and non-university research institutions by means of third-party funds and thus to create more legal certainty. It does, however, lead to the problem that post-docs might have to leave the academic institution if they could not manage to gain a professorship or any equivalent qualification.

The law is furthermore supposed to support the compatibility of child education and academic career; the time limit of the qualification phase is extended by two years for one or more children under 18 years which have to be taken care of.

For more information on the WissZeitVG please visit the website of the BMBF or the WissZeitVG. For a full version of the law visit this website.