On Joint Statements regarding the proposed amendment to the WissZeitVG

An update from the PostdocNet Steering Group.

Last week’s release of the proposed amendment to the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG) marks a significant moment for academic employment conditions in Germany. The short timeframe for consultation—submissions are due on 16 June—necessitates coordinated and timely engagement from the academic community.

The Steering Group of the MPG PostdocNet would like to inform the community about our ongoing work on two coordinated Joint Statements, developed in close collaboration with partner networks.

1. MPG-wide Joint Statement

Together with the Scientific Staff Representatives of the Max Planck Society, LeadNet, and PhDNet, we are preparing a joint MPG-wide statement.

This statement aims to represent a unified perspective across career stages within the Max Planck Society, including postdocs, doctoral researchers, and staff representatives. It focuses on:

• the implications of the proposed amendments for contract duration and predictability,
• structural conditions affecting early- and mid-career researchers within MPG,
• the need for reliable, transparent, and career-stage-sensitive employment frameworks,
• and the importance of aligning legal reforms with the realities of research practice in non-university institutions.

2. Cross-Network Statement of R2/R3 Communities

In parallel, we are collaborating with HAPN, LPN, and other R2 and R3 representative networks across Germany on a second joint statement.

This inter-institutional contribution reflects the perspectives of postdoctoral and mid-career researchers beyond the MPG and aims to ensure that the voices of R2/R3 researchers are coherently represented at the national level. Key themes include:

• the structural precarity of postdoctoral and mid-career positions,
• challenges arising from cumulative qualification periods and contract fragmentation,
• mobility and career development constraints under current legal frameworks,
• and the need for reforms that support sustainable research careers in Germany.

Process and timeline

Both statements are currently in an advanced drafting stage and are being coordinated closely with all involved networks. The idea is to join forces within the MPG and across Germany to provide a coherent and actionable proposal to clarify the nature and purpose of the three phases of fixed-term positions in academia, and ensure fair and sustainable conditions for them. Given the short consultation period, we are working to ensure timely submission ahead of the 16 June deadline. Once finalized, both statements will be shared with the community.

We also note that alignment across multiple stakeholder groups is essential to strengthen the clarity and impact of the messages being conveyed.

Closing remarks

We will continue to keep the community informed as the process develops. Once finalized, both statements will be shared publicly.

We appreciate the engagement of all involved networks and representatives in this coordinated effort to respond to the proposed legislative changes in a timely and constructive manner.