Female student in wheelchair speaks in seminar group

Managing health, disability & chronic illness as a researcher

Inclusion, preventive health, and counselling services
Female student in wheelchair speaks in seminar group
Image: SolStock, istock
Image: istockphoto.com
Person sitting in a wheelchair
‘Doctoral Studies with Disabilities’—A digital networkExternal linkde
The PROMI project — ‘promoting inclusive doctoral studies’ is a virtual round table open to all prospective or existing doctoral candidates and graduates with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The network offers the opportunity to share experiences and helpful resources.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is committed to creating an environment where early career researchers with disabilities and chronic illnesses can successfully complete their academic qualifications in accordance with the university's quality standards.

Whether you are enrolled at the University as a doctoral candidate or employed as academic staff—we offer designated information, counselling, and support services for each interest group.

The University's Graduate Academy advises early career academics with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

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  • First aid in mental health crises

    The website ‘Mental Wellbeing’ provides contact points, support, and more information on how to deal with stress, conflicts, and challening circumstances during your academic qualification.

    The University of Jena's Mental Health First Aid Team  offers first aid in an acute mental health crisis. Have you been feeling depressed and emotionally vulnerable for a very long time? Have you suffered from persistent stress or burn out syndroms? The Mental Health First Aid Team is trained to offer help and first aid in several languages and can arrange for further, easily accessible help.

    The nationwide helpline Telefonseelsorge External link will always lend an ear to your worries and troubles. They will offer advice, direct you to further contact points, and allow you to share your problems anonymously around the clock.

    Every Monday to Friday, from 16:00 to 18:00, members of the Faculty of Theology offer counselling as well as pastoral care and guidance to all university members as part of the University of Jena's pastoral care helpline de. Call: +49 3641 9-42666. Outside these hours, you can contact their counsellors by sending an email to seelsorge@uni-jena.de.

    Muslim members can confide in the Muslim pastoral care helpline (MuTeS)External link where trained volunteers offer anonymous and confidential counselling services in difficult circumstances and emergencies. This service is funded by Islamic Relief Deutschland.

  • Professional mental health support in Jena

    Should you find yourself in the midst of a crisis or exceptional circumstances, you can ask for professional (emergency) help from one of the agencies listed here External link.

    If you are in great emotional distress and have suicidal thoughts, please confide in someone close to you and/or contact an agency with experienced counsellors who will provide you with professional help on a confidential basis. The website of NEST—the network for suicide prevention in Thuringia External link lists offers for round-the-clock help in Jena and the surrounding area.

  • ERASMUS+ support for students and doctoral candidates with disabilities and/or children

    Students and doctoral candidates with disabilities and/or children can apply for additional funding (top-up grants) to finance their stay abroad. If approved, these top-up grants will be paid in addition to the regular funding rates for each country.

    Applications for additional funding are available from the University of Jena’s International Office. An overview of contact persons and office hours is available here.

    Learn more
  • Medical center for adults with disabilities at the Jena University Hospital (MZEB)

    The MZEB is part of Jena University Hospital, which, as a maximum-care medical facility, also offers optimal conditions for the treatment of adults with disabilities. The focus is always on the individuality of those seeking advice. The aim is to develop customized therapies and solutions for a life that is as self-determined and independent as possible.

    Learn moreExternal linkde
Information

In accordance with the Academic Fixed-Term Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG), the legally defined maximum period of employment during a doctorate or post-doctoral qualification phase is 6 + 6 years.

For early career researchers with disabilities or severe chronic illnesses, this period has been increased by two years to a total of 14 years following an amendment effective from 17 March 2016.

If their doctorates are funded through a state graduate scholarship of the Free State of Thuringia, doctoral candidates with a disability or severe chronic illness can apply to have their funding extended by two years in accordance with Section 63, Subsection 3 of the Thuringian Higher Education Act (Thüringer Hochschulgesetz, ThürHG).

Federal initiatives—Inclusive networks, support, and mentoring

Your contact for further information, service, and support regarding your scientific qualification

Graduate Academy

House for Early Career Researchers ‘Zur Rosen’
Johannisstraße 13
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Graduierten-Akademie
07737 Jena

Advice and representation of interests in special circumstances

Diversity Office

Room 104
Zwätzengasse 3
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Please arrange an appointment by email.

Postal address:
Please note that our office is located on the first floor at Zwätzengasse 3. This office is not accessible (no lift).
Please inform us of your needs in advance so that we can arrange for a meeting in more suitable premises.