The first job as a research assistant at a university usually starts with a fixed-term contract under the TV-L collective agreement for the federal states. Pay, health insurance and security differ from a job in industry, mainly because of the fixed terms under the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG).
Short answer: Research assistants at German universities are often paid in pay grade E 13 of the TV-L. According to the pay table, step 1 is EUR 4,759.37 gross per month for a full-time post from 1 April 2026. Part-time posts are paid pro rata. Fixed terms follow the WissZeitVG. Last updated: October 2026.
The key points
- Many research assistant posts are graded under TV-L pay grade E 13. Step 1 is EUR 4,759.37 gross (valid from 1 April 2026).
- Fixed terms follow the WissZeitVG. Before a doctorate, up to six years in total are possible (§ 2 para. 1 WissZeitVG, in German).
- For a part-time post, the university pays pro rata. As an assumption, a 50 percent post pays EUR 2,379.69 gross in step 1.
- Health insurance works as for any employee: statutory insurance applies while your annual salary stays below EUR 77,400.
- When the contract ends, compulsory insurance as an employee ends too. Plan the follow-up cover early.
Which pay grade applies to research assistants?
Pay grade depends on the collective agreement for the federal states and on the duties in your contract. Many universities use E 13. For posts with other duties or without a suitable degree, the pay grade can be lower. The entry in the contract decides your step and salary, so read it closely. Unlike a doctoral post, many research assistant posts focus on qualification rather than independent research.
What is the pay for full-time and part-time posts?
| Step | Full time (100 percent), gross | 50 percent post, gross (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4.759,37 EUR | 2.379,69 EUR |
| 2 | 5.106,09 EUR | 2.553,05 EUR |
| 3 | 5.366,89 EUR | 2.683,45 EUR |
| 4 | 5.873,56 EUR | 2.936,78 EUR |
| 5 | 6.573,97 EUR | 3.286,99 EUR |
| 6 | 6.764,69 EUR | 3.382,35 EUR |
Source of the full-time amounts: TV-L pay table valid from 1 April to 31 December 2026 (Free State of Saxony, last updated April 2026). The part-time column is a calculation: as an assumption, half the post is paid pro rata on the full-time amount.
How do fixed terms under the WissZeitVG work?
The WissZeitVG allows fixed-term contracts without a material reason for academic qualification. Under § 2 para. 1 WissZeitVG, up to six years in total are possible before a doctorate and another six years after it. The fixed term must serve your qualification. Once the maximum period is reached, the contract ends, even if the work is not finished. Plan your qualification with the end date in mind from the start.
What does this mean for health insurance?
With an employment contract you are compulsorily insured as an employee (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1 SGB V). Contributions are calculated on gross pay up to the contribution assessment ceiling of EUR 5,812.50 per month (2026). The general rate of 14.6 percent and the average additional contribution of 2.9 percent are shared equally.
Assumption: a 50 percent post in step 1 (EUR 2,379.69 gross), no children and older than 23. Your share of health and long-term care insurance:
- Health insurance: 8.75 percent of EUR 2,379.69, that is EUR 208.22
- Long-term care insurance: 2.4 percent (1.8 percent plus the 0.6 percent childless surcharge) of EUR 2,379.69, that is EUR 57.11
- Together: EUR 265.33 per month
When the contract ends, compulsory insurance as an employee ends too. For voluntary members, the minimum contribution for health insurance in 2026 is EUR 222.80 per month, and long-term care insurance is added. For transitions, see the guide on gaps between study and work.
Frequently asked questions
Which degree is required for a research assistant post?
The job advertisement states this. Many posts require a master or diploma, others also accept a bachelor. The pay grade depends on the duties in the contract, not on the degree alone.
How long can my post be fixed-term?
Under the WissZeitVG, up to six years are possible before a doctorate and another six years after it. The maximum applies to the total time in the qualification phase. Ask the university to confirm in writing how much of that time is already credited.
Do I need private health insurance during the post?
No. Your employment makes you a member of statutory health insurance. Private insurance is only an option if your regular annual salary exceeds the insurance threshold.
What happens when the contract ends?
Compulsory insurance as an employee then ends, so register with your health insurer in good time. Check whether unemployment benefit is possible too, which requires a qualifying period (§ 142 SGB III).
What to do next
- Read the job advertisement and the contract: pay grade, share of a full-time post and the reason for the fixed term are stated there.
- Check the maximum fixed-term period under the WissZeitVG and the time already credited to you.
- Calculate your gross pay against the contribution example before you accept.
- Plan the time after the contract: health insurance, unemployment benefit and follow-up work.
Related guides
- Doctoral salary 2026: TV-L E 13, steps and part-time
- Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany
- Unemployed after the doctorate: unemployment benefit and health insurance
- Salary after the doctorate: industry or academia
Sources: TV-L pay table valid from 1 April 2026 (Free State of Saxony, last updated April 2026); Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act, § 2 (accessed October 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation figures (last updated 1 January 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
