Teacher for special tasks
A teacher for special tasks ( LfbA or LbA ) is an academic employee at a university who imparts practical skills and knowledge, unless this requires the qualification of a university lecturer . It is usually not subordinate to any chair within an institute / department .
The tasks include, among other things, participation in teaching and examinations. The teacher can also advise students on special tasks and accompany internships, projects and excursions . Admission requirements are a university degree in the relevant subject area, often a completed doctorate.
The teacher for special tasks is an employee in the public service ; payment is based on the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TVL). The positions are usually limited in time. In Bavaria, “teachers for special tasks” are also hired in a position as academic councilor (Art. 24, Paragraph 2 BayHSchPG).
"Teachers for special tasks" have been increasingly hired at German universities since the mid-2000s in order to cover the increased teaching needs that have arisen from the establishment of BA / MA courses ( Bachelor / Master ). At some universities, following the Anglo-Saxon model ( lecturer ), “lecturers” are employed instead, who often have permanent positions.
In federal states with tuition fees , the positions paid from these funds are often filled with “teaching staff for special tasks”. The increased teaching load is intended to express that the position financed from tuition fees serves to expand teaching. These positions are often very short-term.
Within the scientific communities and between the parties to the collective bargaining agreement, disputes about the teacher for special tasks are conducted because the LfbA are relatively low-paid, often temporary positions with a high workload that offer only limited opportunities for academic advancement. The possibility of a doctorate or habilitation is also severely limited due to the high amount of work involved in teaching.