Current Information on the Coronavirus for Doctoral Candidates and Postdocs
Due to the current situation, we would like to draw your attention to the information website of the University of Cologne about current measures and information in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19). The website is permanently updated.
On the pages of the HR Development for Researchers and the Occupational Health Management you can find further information and tips for working in your home office.
Please also note important current information of the individual faculties (e.g. changes of examination dates, submission of dissertations, opening hours of offices as well as further measures taken by the faculties), that result from the current situation.
For critical personnel questions, you can also contact the general ombudsperson for Early Career Researchers at the University of Cologne, Prof. Martin Henssler. You are also very welcome to contact us first. We will treat your information confidentially and discuss with you further possibilities for action.
The university has also set up an information office for university members and staff. It can be reached via the following e-mail address: info-praevention
verw.uni-koeln.de
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Doctoral candidates
Can dissertations in the special situation caused by Corona (Covid-19) be submitted as a digital version via Docfile?
Due to the current dynamic situation caused by Covid-19, there are currently also adjustments in data protection and higher education law issues, which affect dissertation projects and their electronic administration via Docfile. Therefore, this question can unfortunately not be answered centrally at present. In consultation with the legal department, however, the technical requirements in Docfile are being examined and a possible concept for the early release of individual system modules is being coordinated.
Doctoral candidates should contact their contact persons of their respective graduate school of the faculty directly.
Supervisors, staff of the doctoral offices and coordinators of the graduate programs should contact the Legal Office if they have any questions regarding the submission of dissertations or other matters relating to the doctorate. The contact person is Ms Kathrin Kölle, k.koelleverw.uni-koeln.de
Who should doctoral candidates, supervisors, employees of the doctoral offices and coordinators of the graduate programs contact when it comes to central questions about the doctorate and doctoral law?
Due to the current dynamic situation, there are currently also adjustments in data protection and higher education law issues.
Doctoral candidates should contact their contact persons of their respective graduate school of the faculties directly.
Supervisors, staff of the doctoral offices and coordinators of the graduate programs should contact the Legal Office if they have any questions regarding the submission of dissertations or other matters relating to the doctorate. Contact person: Ms Kathrin Kölle, k.koelleverw.uni-koeln.de
Doctoral candidates & Postdocs
How is access regulated to resources such as laboratories and libraries for research work that have a clear time index?
Access to laboratories is regulated and ensured by work plans of the working group in which the qualification work or project work takes place, taking into account the currently applicable rules of conduct. Please contact your contact person or your supervisor at your institute.
The reference libraries are currently closed. Please use the digital services and inform yourself at:
https://www.ub.uni-koeln.de/lernen_arbeiten/arbeitenusb/coronavirus/index_ger.html
To use the institute libraries, please contact your local contact person.
My employment is coming to an end, but I could not complete my project/research/work as planned because of Covid19.
Please contact your institute or your supervisor who can offer you support.
According to the guidelines of the federal and state governments, libraries may reopen from Monday, 20.04.2020. Are the university libraries open and usable again?
Reference operation in the libraries is still suspended. Please take advantage of the extensive digital offers and temporary lending facilities. Please contact the USB and the institute libraries to find out about the current temporary loan options.
I have not been able to cope with my qualification due to the effects of the pandemic and, in the event of a contract extension, I would exceed the maximum time limits according to the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG). What should I do?
Please first contact your supervisor and your personnel administrator. The BMBF informs that due to the current exceptional situation, the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG) will be supplemented by a temporary transitional arrangement: The maximum limit for scientific and artistic personnel in their qualification phase will be extended for the period of pandemic-related restrictions on the operation of higher education and science. Employment relationships for qualification purposes that exist between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2020 can be extended by an additional six months (BMBF, 08.04.2020 Press release: 043/2020, Link: https://www.bmbf.de/de/karliczek-wir-mildern-die-corona-beeintraechtigungen-fuer-studierende-und-wissenschaft-ab-11331.html).
Where do I find support when I feel overwhelmed?
International Postdocs / Visiting Scientists
Who can I contact as an international guest researcher at the University of Cologne if I am planning a stay in Cologne?
Where can I as a guest researcher (e.g. scholarship holder) get an account for the UoC's online access and services?
