WissZeitVG: What International Researchers Need to Know About Germany’s Academic Employment Law

Are you an international researcher in Germany or considering a research position here? If so, you need to understand the WissZeitVG (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz) and its potential impact on your career. This comprehensive guide will explain the law, its current state, and why it matters to you.

What is the WissZeitVG?

The Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, introduced in 2007, is a German law regulating fixed-term contracts in the academic and research sector. Its main objectives include

1. Facilitating career development for young researchers through temporary contract
2. Enabling a „rotation principle“ for new generations of researchers
3. Accommodating the project-based nature of academic work Current Situation and Criticisms

Under the current WissZeitVG:

• Researchers can be employed on fixed-term contracts for up to 6 years before and 6 years after completing their doctorate.
• This has led to a proliferation of short-term, insecure positions for young academics.
• Many critics argue that it undermines career prospects and working conditions, potentially contributing to a „brain drain“ in German academia.

Proposed Reforms

In response to public pressure and criticism, especially from the IchbinHanna movement, the German government is planning to amend the WissZeitVG:

• A draft bill proposes a 4+2 year model for post-doctoral researchers.
• Critics argue that the proposed changes are insufficient and fail to address fundamental issues in the German academic system.

Why Should You as an International Researcher Care?

The WissZeitVG directly affects international researchers working in Germany:

1. Employment Conditions:Your contracts are subject to the limits set by this law.
2. Visa and Residence Issues: Fixed-term contracts can impact your residence status in Germany.
3. Career Planning: Understanding the law is crucial for long-term career planning in German academia.
4. Participation in Reforms: As an international researcher, your perspective is valuable in ongoing discussions about reforming the law.

Stay Informed and Engaged

As an international researcher in Germany, staying informed about the WissZeitVG and its potential reforms is crucial for your career planning and job security. Follow the ongoing debates and consider participating in discussions to share your unique perspective.

👉 You have further questions? You found information that is incorrect or doesn’t match with your information? Please let me know, either in the comments or you can contact me directly! 📯

References:

[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wisszeitvg/BJNR050610007.html

[2] https://www.bmbf.de/bmbf/de/forschung/wissenschaftlicher-nachwuchs/wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz/wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz_node.html

[3] https://ichbinhanna.wordpress.com/english-version/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8892265/

[5] https://www.bmbf.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/de/2023/2023-06-wisszeitvg-referentenentwurf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=1

[6] https://arbeitinderwissenschaft.substack.com/p/da-geht-noch-was-mit-dem-wisszeitvg?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1456276&post_id=143156935&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2wdcd2&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

[7] https://www.forschung-und-lehre.de/politik/regierung-einig-bei-arbeitsvertraegen-an-hochschulen-6299

[8] https://kunstgeschichte.org/meldungen/stellungnahme-zum-referentenentwurf-reform-wisszeitvg/

[9] https://www.dgb.de/presse/%2B%2Bco%2B%2B4ac1b89c-eb59-11ee-b4f5-338fa844d0e1

[10] https://www.gew.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/detailseite/gew-schluss-mit-hire-and-fire-gesetzentwurf-grundlegend-ueberarbeiten

A slightly different version of this article was published in LinkedIn under the title „What is the „WissZeitVG“ and why is everyone talking about it?“.

You can find this version here.

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