How to translate German "Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz"?

I wouldn’t translate the law’s name as I do not see how it helps potential applicants. Just put yourself in their position and think about what benefit it grants you:

  • Any reasonable resource elaborating the content of the law in detail will mention the German name, even if written in English.

  • The translation itself will only give the applicant a very rough idea what it is about. The more important aspect what relevant consequences the law has.

  • To be actually affected by the law, the applicant has to have a history of employment in German academia and thus not be scared by long German words anymore.

If I would have to write about this in a job ad, I would write something like:

Applicants who were previously employed in a similar position in Germany may not be eligible due to the restrictions imposed by German law (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz).

Note that I have rarely ever seen this law mentioned on job ads to which it applies and never on a PhD position – which makes sense because the law would only matter if the candidate already has been employed on a PhD position in Germany for more than three years.

Finally, if you can, I would let your HR department worry about this. They should have some legal boilerplate available.


I would keep the name of the law in German. If potential candidates are unfamiliar with that law and want to find out more then they will have a hard time finding the law if you only give them your English translation. Those who are familiar with the law may become uncertain if you mean that law. Ther German name is unambiguous (but ugly). Alternatively, you could use the German term and your translation in parentheses.