Doctoral positions for people with disabilities
The University of Cologne has set up a permanent funding structure to create additional qualification positions for academics with disabilities or of equal status. Every year, at least one 65% TV-L E13 position is available for a doctoral candidate or postdoc. The positions are funded for a period of three years. It is possible to extend the contract for another year.
There is currently no qualification position advertised. The next call for applications is expected to take place in the summer semester of 2025.
Who can apply?
- University graduates (Master's degree) who would like to start a doctorate
- People who can prove to have a severe disability (Section 2 SGB IX) or are of equal status (information on this can be found here – only in German).
- At the time of applying for the position, the applicant must not have a valid employment contract or employment relationship with the University of Cologne.
- An application for the qualification position requires that you first discuss your application with the institute or chair at which you would like to be accepted and ask for their support. The host institute or chair belongs to the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences or the Faculty of Human Sciences.
Which documents must be enclosed with the application?
- Cover letter describing your personal and professional situation and intended starting date
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form incl. university certificate (copy)
- Proof (copy) of severely disabled person's ID card or equalization with copy of notification of individual health conditions
- List of publications (if already available)
- Employment references (if already available)
- Description of your research project (exposé, max. 2 pages) as well as a tabular time and work schedule
- Self-declaration that the requirements of the doctoral regulations of the respective Faculty are met
- A letter of support from a professor based directly at the host institute confirming that a workplace adapted to individual needs, supervision and the infrastructure required for research will be provided.
Please note that only applications with complete documents can be considered in the selection procedure. Please submit the documents via the job portal. If you encounter any issues with the job portal, please contact jobportal-tec@uni-koeln.de (0221/470-6099).
What is the scope of the funding?
- Funded doctoral candidates receive a 65% position based on renumeration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector for three years.
- There is the possibility of extending the funding of the position for another year. For this purpose, an application must be submitted no later than six months before the end of the employment relationship.
- Additional funding (of material costs, business trips etc.) is not provided.
What information is important for the host institute?
- The most important goal of the employment is to support the person in obtaining their doctoral degree. The opportunity to collaborate in the research of the institute or chair and to participate in teaching should be given to the extent that they serve this goal.
- The host institute provides a workplace adapted to the individual needs of the new employee.
- When hiring, the department undertakes to apply for an integration grant (EGZ) from the responsible body (job centre or Federal Employment Agency at the employee's place of residence).
- In addition to confirming the above-mentioned requirements, your letter of support should also contain your assessment of the applicant’s potential and the research project.
How are applicants selected?
Only applicants who submit complete documents (see “Which documents must be enclosed with the application?”) can be considered. The selection of applicants for funding is based on their academic qualification.
Applications for the entire funding period of a qualification are given priority as opposed to short-term funding.
The funds are allocated based on the documents submitted by a committee consisting of the following members:
- Vice-Rectorate for Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities
- Representative for Severely Disabled People (SBV)
- Representatives of the Faculties
- Consultant for Inclusion
What is the earliest possibility for employment to begin?
Generally, the process of assessment and evaluation as well as the selection meeting takes place within six weeks of the application deadline. Please feel free to contact us if you need more detailed information after the application deadline. If the selection committee is in favor of funding, the host department takes care of the recruitment. The recruitment process usually takes two months.
You can therefore assume that employment will not be possible until three and a half months after the application deadline at the earliest.
At what point should employment start at the latest?
Employment should begin no later than six months after the application deadline. If you would like to take up employment at a later date, please apply in the following year.
Where can I find further or general information on the topic of “obtaining a doctorate with disabilities”?
