Unified academic and research career framework takes effect

On 1 August, amendments to the Higher Education Law came into force, introducing a gradual transition to a unified academic career framework. Related changes to the Scientific Activity Law establish a coordinated research career system. The legal framework now defines career stages, corresponding academic positions, and common principles for staff selection, employment and performance evaluation.

Four career levels

The law now defines an academic career as an employment system in universities involving research, artistic creativity and teaching. It consists of four consecutive stages: early-career staff (lecturers, assistants), qualified staff (docents, researchers), highly qualified staff (associate professors, leading researchers), and senior staff (professors). Additional posts include excellence professor, postdoctoral researcher, senior lecturer and practitioner in the field.

Tenure

Universities may establish tenure as a model of permanent employment for particularly recognised academic staff. Tenure has three levels: docent or researcher; associate professor or leading researcher; and professor. Staff can hold a tenure-track position (fixed-term contract) or a tenured position (permanent contract). Tenure status may be granted only for second and third-level positions.

Recruitment and contracts

Academic staff can be selected through election or competitive procedure. Positions such as practitioners, excellence professors and visiting academic staff are filled solely through selection. For highly qualified and senior posts, except excellence professors, an open international competition is required.

From 1 December 2026, fixed-term contracts in academic positions may last up to six years and may be concluded no more than twice in succession. Similar restrictions apply to tenure-track positions, excellence professors and postdoctoral researchers. Universities must inform staff of further employment opportunities at least six months before a contract expires.

Research career

The Scientific Activity Law introduces the concepts of "research personnel" and "research career". It is also based on four stages, from scientific assistants to research professors, including visiting researchers and researchers with practical competence. A research tenure system will allow transition from fixed-term to permanent employment based on performance.

Transition periods

From 2031, only persons with a doctoral degree may be employed as researchers. From 1 January 2029, new provisions on staff evaluation and termination of employment relationships take effect.