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
Extension possibilities for fixed-term contracts (for qualifications) due to the Corona pandemic
Please find information here.
Contract extension Academic Staff
Please find information here.
Contract extension Zeitbeamt*innen (Juniorprofessor*innen, Akademische Rät*innen und Oberrät*innen)
Please find information here.
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.
Information on the use of the reference libraries can be found here.
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.
Are the university libraries open and usable again?
Information on the use of the reference libraries can be found here.
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. Further information can be found on the corresponding pages of the BMBF.
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?
