Undergraduate research / teaching assistants (SHK) / graduate research / teaching assistants (WHK) / tutors / student employees
This page contains all important information about employing undergraduate teaching and research assistants (SHK), graduate research / teaching assistants (WHK), tutors, and student employees.
Undergraduate research and teaching assistants (SHK) support academic services in research and teaching.
Student employees perform temporary tasks in technical, library and administrative services.
Tutors assist in teaching, supervise exchange students, and offer tutorials.
To avoid delays or rejections when applying, complete the application in full and include all required supported documents. Make sure the following criteria have been met:
- Enrollment: The prospective employee is currently enrolled.
- For citizens of non-EU countries: They must have a valid work permit throughout the duration of the entire contract.
- Qualification: The prospective employee has the necessary university degree (in the case of graduate research / teaching assistants and tutors).
- Working hours: The maximum hours per month will not be exceeded.
Be aware that it takes roughly 6 weeks to process your application, starting from its receipt to the approval of resources for the position. In urgent cases, contact Team 632 (HR Services) to arrange a telephone call.
Information on the digital hiring process
From January 2025, we provide the SharePoint-based workflow for hiring, continued employment, increased or decreased hours or funding changes relating to undergraduate or graduate research / teaching assistants, student or academic tutors, and student employees.
Information on accessability
Not all documents provided here are accessible. If you need an accessible document, please contact us via our office email: digitale-barrierefreiheit"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
Undergraduate and graduate research / teaching assistants
Undergraduate and graduate research / teaching assistants (SKH / WHK) support in research and teaching. They have temporary contracts not subject to the collective wage agreement for the public sectors of the German states (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder, TV-L). In accordance with Section 2 subsection 1 WissZeitVG, these fixed-term contracts are permitted for a period of up to 6 years. Please also note the below information on minimum contract terms.
A WHK position requires a bachelor’s degree or comparable. Employment as an SHK or WHK, however, depends on the tasks in question, i.e., students with a bachelor’s or comparable degree may be employed as a SHK.
They are paid on a hourly basis. SHK receive €13.25 per working hour, while WHK receive €15.21. Starting on 1 April 2025, their wages will be raised to €13.98 and €16.05, respectively. These are gross sums.
- Erklärungsbogen (German-language PDF declaration)
- Merkblatt zur Personalkostenberechnung ab 01.01.2024 (German-language PDF, information sheet on HR cost calculation from 1 January 2024)
- Work time tracking options Zeiterfassung für studierende und wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte (XLSX) (German-language XLSX on tracking working hours for undergraduate research / teaching assistants)
Please see the government guidelines for hiring undergraduate and graduate teaching / research assistants (PDF).
Student employees
Student employees perform support duties in technical, library, and administrative services and they are employed on the basis of the collective wage agreement for the public sectors of the German states (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder, TV-L).
In contrast to undergraduate research and teaching assistants (SHK, WHK) and tutors, student employees generally have permanent contracts and are remunerated in salary group 2.
The application must include an approved job description. You may use one of the below job description templates or contact Team 641.
- Erklärungsbogen (German-language PDF declaration)
- Musterstellenbeschreibung für studierende Angestellte (German-language DOC sample job description for student employees)
- Musterstellenbeschreibung für studierende Angestellte Bibliotheksaufsicht (German-language DOC sample job description for student employees, library services)
- Musterstellenbeschreibung für studierende Angestellte IT-Bereich (German-language DOC sample job description for student employees, IT services)
- Dienstantrittsanzeige für studierende Angestellte (German-language DOC employment commencement notification for student employees)
- Schreiben der Personalabteilung zur Mindestanforderungen bei Einstellung studierender Angestellter (German-language PDF containing HR information on minimum requirements for student employees)
Tutors
Tutors support teaching activities, help international students, and lead tutorials. There is a difference between student tutors and academic tutors when it comes to job requirements and remuneration. Academic tutors must prove that they have a first university degree.
Both groups have temporary contracts not subject to the collective wage agreement for the public sectors of the German states (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder, TV-L). Remuneration is based on semester hours per week (SWS), with a single SWS amounting to 2.5 hours. This allows for preparation and review.
Student tutors earn a monthly salary of €149.52 per SWS; academic tutors earn a monthly salary of €233.60 per SWS. Starting on 1 April 2025, the salary will be raised to €157.74 and €246.45 respectively. These are gross sums.
- Erklärungsbogen (German-language PDF declaration)
- Merkblatt zur Personalkostenberechnung ab 01.01.2024 (German-language PDF, information sheet on HR cost calculation from 1 January 2024)
Hiring
Hiring documents
- signed declaration (PDF) for students
- current proof of enrollment
- for the privately insured: proof of exemption from public insurance coverage
- if applicable, residence permit and work permit (additional page)
- for academic tutors and WHK: degree certificate and copy (e.g., of bachelor’s or master’s diploma)
Documents for continued employment or changes in working times
- signed declaration (PDF) for students
- current proof of enrollment
- if applicable, residence permit and work permit (additional page)
Tips on the declaration form
For every request form (hiring, continued employment, or change in working hours), students must submit a complete, signed declaration form. This must be sent by the operating unit to the respective HR staff member via the standard workflow.
The declaration form needs to be submitted for every period of employment because the employer requires the personal data for the hiring procedure. There is also a statutory obligation to ask for information about other employment relationships to ensure the proper assessment of social security status. Also note point 5 in the declaration form.
Hiring dates
As a rule, SHK, WHK, and tutors are hired to begin working on the first or the 16th of a given month. For half-months of employment, the employee works half of the requested hours for a full month.
Be aware that for tutors beginning on the 16th of a given month, calculations are made precisely to the day, which can result in minimal deviations in salary in the first and final months of employment.
Also note that for hires who begin in the middle of the month, the first salary payment is made in the following month. The Zentrum für Personaldienste (ZPD) prioritizes contracts submitted at the beginning of the month and puts them into the payment system.
Minimum contract terms
Student employees are generally hired permanently, unless there is an objective reason for a temporary employment contract pursuant to Section 14 subsection 1 sentence 2 of the German part-time and fixed-term contract act (Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz, TzBfG). The scope of employment is at least 6 months with a minimum of 5 working hours per week.
Undergraduate and graduate research / teaching assistants (SHK, WHK) generally receive 12-month contracts. Shorter contracts must be justified, e.g., for the following reasons:
- fixed-term funding (e.g., external funding; project end date must be included)
- a tutorial that does not span 2 consecutive semesters (the employment duration is generally be 6 months)
- special state funding
- involvement in orientation modules
- modules that are offered only once a year
- permitted maximum possible duration of the fixed term pursuant to Section 6 WissZeitVG reached before the expiration of 12 months
- transfer or period abroad planned before the expiration of 12 months (information from students is voluntary)
- degree program completed before the expiration of 12 months (semester must be named; information from students is voluntary)
Hiring students enrolled at other universities
Students enrolled in publicly recognized degree programs at other German universities may also be employed as undergraduate or graduate research and teaching assistants (SHK, WHK) or tutors.
Work location
Hamburg is the work location for all employees.
Legal basis
Research and student assistants
- Leitlinie für die Beschäftigung von studentischen und wissenschaftlichen Hilfskräften im Bereich der Behörde für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Gleichstellung (German-language PDF directive on employment of research and student assistants at Universität Hamburg)
- Kernpunkte Leitlinie für die Beschäftigung von studentischen und wissenschaftlichen Hilfskräften (PDF)
Administrative student assistants
- Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder (TV-L) (German-language on collective wage agreement for the public service in the German federal states)
Tutors
- Tutorenprogramm—Richtlinien (German-language PDF tutoring program directive)
- Tutorensatzung der Universität Hamburg (German-language PDF tutoring program bylaws)
Staff costs
The employer’s overall costs constitute the maximum rate. HR recommends using the given maximum rates for calculating funding needs because the social security status of a given assistant or tutor can be determined only on the basis of employment documentation submitted.
Undergraduate research / teaching assistants
Staff costs since 1 April 2024:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €13.25 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €16.99 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €538 = maximum 40 hours per month | |||
Starting on 1 January 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €13.25 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24 U2 levy) | €16.99 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 41 hours per month | |||
Starting on 1 April 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €13.98 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €17.93 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 39 hours per month | |||
Note: If the regular scope of employment is at least 86 hours per month, Section 20 of the TV-L stipulates a special additional payment must be made in accordance with EG 9a–EG 11 salary levels. This constitutes 74.35€ of average earnings for the months of July, August, and September. For the calculation, only those months in which the employee worked at least 86 hours are taken into account.
Research assistants
Staff costs since 1 April 2024:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €15.21 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €19.51 |
Minimum-hour jobs €538 = maximum 35 hours per month | |||
Starting on 1 January 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €15.21 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €19.51 |
Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 36 hours per month | |||
Starting on 1 April 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One hour remuneration €16.05 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €20.58 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 34 hours per month | |||
Be aware: If the regular scope of employment is at least 86 hours per month, Section 20 of the TV-L stipulates a special additional payment must be made in accordance with EG 9a–EG 11 salary levels. This constitutes 74.35% of average earnings for the months of July, August, and September. For the calculation, only those months in which the employee worked at least 86 hours are taken into account.
Student tutors
Staff costs since 1 April 2024:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €149.52 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €191.74 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €538 = maximum 3.5 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Starting on 1 January 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €149.52 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €191.74 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 3.5 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Starting on 1 April 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €157.74 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €202.29 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 3.5 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Academic tutors
Staff costs since 1 April 2024:
Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €233.60 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €299.57 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €538 = maximum 2 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Starting on 1 January 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €233.60 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €299.57 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 2 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Starting on 1 April 2025:
| Salary | Employer’s contribution to social security | Employer’s overall costs | |
| One semester hour per week €246.45 | 28.24% | (13% health insurance, 15% retirement contributions, 0.24% U2 levy) | €316.05 |
| Minimum-hour jobs €556 = maximum 2 semester hours per week / per month | |||
Tips on employment funded externally or through donations
For employees funded externally or through donations, an addition contribution must be paid monthly to the state accident insurance provider (LUK). This monthly contribution is currently €18.25, regardless of whether employment involves an entire or only a half-month. The LUK fee must be paid at the start of every calendar month.
Examples:
- Employment period from 1 October to 30 November 2024: contribution due for 2 months
- Employment period from 16 October to 15 November 2024: contribution due for 2 months
- Employment period from 16 October to 30 November 2024: contribution due for 2 months
Student employees
As a rule, student employees are remunerated in the salary group level 2 category.
Information on income tax
under revision
Working hours
The maximum weekly working time for all students in an employment relationship—undergraduate and graduate research / teaching assistants (SHK, WHK), tutors, and student employees—is 20 hours, including during reading periods. This limit also applies in case of multiple contracts within and outside the University of Hamburg.
The maximum monthly working time for SHK and WHK is 86 hours. Also note the information under “HR Costs.”
To record working hours, undergraduate research / teaching assistants can use a time card (XLSX).
Tutors may use analog stamp cards or track their working time manually until issued a digital time card.
Student employees may use analog stamp cards or the digital time card (XLSX) as instructed by their supervisors.
Vacation and illness
Vacation entitlements for undergraduate and graduate research and teaching assistants and tutors
SHK, WHK, and tutors are entitled to vacation pursuant to the Federal minimum vacation act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz, BUrlG). If they spread their work over the 5-day working week, they are entitled to 20 vacation days per annum.
It is not permissible to reduce vacation by reducing hours or minutes per working week.
The employee’s unit is responsible for calculating vacation time and keeping a vacation record. The statutory minimum vacation entitlement, regardless of how working hours are distributed, is as follows:
| Working days per week | Statutory minimum vacation per year |
| 5 days | 20 workdays |
| 4 days | 16 workdays |
| 3 days | 12 workdays |
| 2 days | 8 workdays |
| 1 day | 4 workdays |
Vacation for student employees
The regulations for collective wage agreement staff also apply to student employees.
Additional information on vacation.
Continued remuneration in case of illness
In case of illness, student employees are entitled to up to 6 weeks of continued remuneration pursuant to the German holiday and sick pay act (Gesetz über die Zahlung des Arbeitsentgelts an Feiertagen und im Krankheitsfall, EntgFG). Starting on the first day of their illness, they must submit a doctor’s note to their unit, which will notify HR about the sick days. Sick days do not need to be made up.
For students with public health insurance, HR can access the doctor’s note from the insurance provider digitally. Privately insured students must submit their doctor’s note directly to their unit or HR.
Remuneration is suspended after 6 weeks. Insurance providers pay the sick pay for employees required to contribute to social security. Even if the employer does not continue to provide remuneration, they must continue to be informed about the probable duration of the illness. This also requires a doctor’s note.
Support for student employees
under revision
Support for supervisors and managers
If you, as a supervisor or manager of student employees, need counselling, the following UHH services are available to you: