Research assistant (wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft, WHK) and student assistant (studentische Hilfskraft, SHK) sound similar, but they differ in tasks, hourly pay and requirements. If you want to work as an assistant at a German university, it helps to know both types before you apply.
Kurz beantwortet: A student assistant (SHK) is usually enrolled as a student and supports teaching, administration or projects. A research assistant (WHK) usually works more closely with research and teaching. At the University of Hamburg, gross hourly rates stood at 15.20 euros for SHK and 17.39 euros for WHK as of 29 June 2026. The job advertisement determines which post you are applying for.
The most important points at a glance
- The job title is not a formality. Universities treat SHK and WHK as separate types of post with their own pay rules.
- The University of Hamburg lists 15.20 euros gross per hour for SHK and 17.39 euros gross per hour for WHK (as of 29 June 2026).
- For both types, the same source sets a cap of 86 hours per month, and a limit of 20 hours per week applies to all student employment.
- Which qualification a WHK post requires is stated in the job profile and varies between universities.
- Knowing the difference lets you compare pay, tasks and contract length reliably.
What sets the two posts apart in daily work?
The difference shows up mainly in the scope of tasks. Student assistants typically support tutorials, exercises, marking, library duties or the organisation of courses. Research assistants more often take on parts of ongoing research projects, such as literature work, data preparation or contributions to publications. The dividing line is not the same everywhere, because universities design their job profiles differently.
For you, this means that a post with research-related tasks is not automatically a WHK, and a tutoring post can also be advertised as a WHK. The contract wording and the job profile in the advertisement are what count.
How do pay, hours and contracts differ?
| Feature | Student assistant (SHK) | Research assistant (WHK) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross hourly pay (University of Hamburg, as of 29 June 2026) | 15.20 euros | 17.39 euros |
| Monthly hour cap (University of Hamburg) | 86 hours | 86 hours |
| Weekly cap for all student employment | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Contract form (University of Hamburg) | fixed-term, usually a minimum term of twelve months | fixed-term, usually a minimum term of twelve months |
| Degree as a requirement | depends on the advertisement | depends on the advertisement |
| Statutory minimum wage | applies in principle | applies in principle |
These figures come from the University of Hamburg, which lists both types of post separately. Other universities and federal states can differ. Whether a collective agreement applies to your employment is stated in your contract, not in the job title.
Why the legal framework applies to both
The Act on Fixed-Term Contracts in Academia (WissZeitVG, section 1(1) sentence 1) covers contracts with academic and artistic staff, with the exception of university professors. Whether a particular WHK post falls under it depends on its tasks and design. For fixed terms, the general rules of the Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act also apply. That act permits a fixed term only with a material reason or, without one, for up to two years (TzBfG, section 14).
The statutory minimum wage applies to both types of post in principle. The related article on the minimum wage for student assistants is available in German. A university therefore cannot pay below the statutory floor.
How do you recognise which post you are looking at?
- Read the job title in the advertisement. If it says „wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft“, the university’s WHK rules usually apply.
- Check the job profile. If the advertisement asks for a degree or specific prior knowledge, that points more towards a WHK post.
- Look at the tasks. Research-related parts with your own responsibility fit a WHK better, while support in teaching and administration fits an SHK.
- Compare pay and hours with the university’s figures before you accept.
- Ask in the interview how the post is classified and how long the contract runs.
What should you clarify before accepting?
Many misunderstandings come from missing details rather than from the job title. Before the contract starts, clarify how many hours you work per week, whether monthly hours are fixed, and how holidays and sickness are handled. The University of Hamburg refers to the Federal Holiday Act for leave and, with a five-day week, names an entitlement of 20 working days per year.
A worked example shows why the difference matters. Assumption: you work 60 hours in a month. As an SHK at 15.20 euros, the gross pay is 912.00 euros. As a WHK at 17.39 euros, the gross pay is 1,043.40 euros. The difference is 131.40 euros gross per month. Your net pay is lower because deductions apply. For a rough net estimate, see the Hiwi calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a WHK post with a bachelor’s degree?
That depends on the advertisement. Some universities require a degree or an advanced stage of study for research assistants, others set different priorities. The requirements are stated in the job profile. If something is unclear, ask the advertising department.
Does a WHK always earn more than an SHK?
At the University of Hamburg, the WHK rate was higher than the SHK rate as of 29 June 2026. Other universities can set different rules. What counts is the contract you sign and the pay rules of your own university.
Does the hour cap apply equally to both types of post?
According to the University of Hamburg, both types have a cap of 86 hours per month. In addition, a limit of 20 hours per week applies to all student employment. Several parallel jobs are added together.
How can I tell the difference from my contract?
The contract states the job title, the hourly rate, the number of hours and the term. If the type of post is missing, ask before you sign. A later change of post normally requires a new contract.
What the post means for your CV and your next step
The job title appears on your CV, so it should be clear. Anyone who has supervised tutorials can describe teaching experience, time management and coordination with lecturers. Anyone who worked on a research project can name methods, data work or contributions to publications. Help with wording is available in the German article on the Hiwi post in the CV.
After graduation, an assistant post can be a stepping stone. Whether the move into a permanent position at the university or elsewhere succeeds depends on the subject, the fixed term and the available posts. The German article on moving from a Hiwi job into permanent employment sets out the routes.
Common mistakes when classifying a post
- Mixing up the job title with the hourly rate. The rate is in the contract, not in the heading of the advertisement.
- Looking only at the hourly pay. Working hours and contract length determine the total income just as much.
- Treating weekly and monthly hours as the same. The monthly cap and the weekly cap apply side by side.
- Not reading the whole contract before signing. Holidays, sickness and notice periods are often overlooked.
If you check these four points, you will quickly see whether a post fits your studies, your budget and your timetable. With several jobs in parallel, a total calculation is worth making, because all student employment together must stay within the caps.
What to do next
- Compare the job title with the task description in the advertisement.
- Calculate your desired hours with the university’s hourly rate, gross and per month.
- Use the Hiwi calculator to get a rough net estimate from the gross pay.
- Clarify term, hours, holidays and sickness before you sign.
Related articles
- Academic careers: contracts, collective agreements and fixed terms
- Student assistant job in Germany: pay, contract and rules
- Does the minimum wage apply to student assistants at university?
- Hiwi calculator: net pay from the hourly wage
- After graduation: from a Hiwi job into permanent employment (in German)
Sources: University of Hamburg, information for student employees (last updated 29 June 2026), WissZeitVG, section 1 (gesetze-im-internet.de, last amended 25 May 2020), TzBfG, section 14 (gesetze-im-internet.de, last amended 20 July 2022).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
