Statements | Assistants’ Association of the University of Basel

Assistants’ Association of the University of Basel

Information on the consultation process on suggested measures to improve your working and supervision conditions at University of Basel

The University of Basel launched the project “Reform of Employment and Working Conditions for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers at the University of Basel” (Mittelbaureform) in autumn 2024 to address long-standing challenges faced by academic mid-level staff in the following areas:

Employment contract
Supervision and mentoring
Career development
Protected research time, teaching responsibilities and academic self-governance
Family friendliness, equality and inclusion
Personal integrity and mental health
Monitoring

As the financial situation of the University does not allow for cost intensive measures at the moment, the University has identified 30 cost-neutral measures which are currently under consultation. Both, individuals as well as groups like avuba (the assistant’s association at the University of Basel) can give feedback by filling in the extensive form provided by the University.

We aim to submit a position supported by as many responses as possible, as we know that not everyone has the time to complete the long questionnaire. Therefore, we are currently preparing a shorter version of the extensive form to gather your feedback on whether each proposed measure would improve, worsen, or not affect your situation. You will also have the option to suggest additional measures not included in those proposed by the University.

If you are employed at the University of Basel, you will receive – organized by avuba – a link to the short version by the end of November to provide your feedback.
If you are enrolled as a doctoral researcher at the University of Basel but not employed, you will receive a slightly shorter questionnaire covering topics relevant to your situation, such as supervision and other aspects.

Additionally, avuba will approach those of you who are representing assistants in faculty assemblies, faculty boards, the senate, or cross-faculty committees. You will be personally invited by avuba to comment in detail on the consultation paper, soon.

All information sources mentioned above will be consolidated in the extensive feedback avuba will submit to the University.

To start the process avuba has organised a lunchtime meeting next Monday, 10 November 2025, 12:15–13:15 (Kollegienhaus) with Patricia Zweifel, the project coordinator at the University of Basel. You are warmly invited to attend. Please register here. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided.

Your participation in this feedback process — whether you are employed by University of Basel or not—is highly valued.

Swiss mid-level academic staff associations call for maintaining funding for Switzerland’s high-quality research and teaching

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Who comes too near is going too far!

On December 5, 2024, the avuba and skuba boards sent an email to the President's Office titled "For a culture of integrity at the University of Basel: demands to prevent abuse of power and sexualized violence and to strengthen victim protection". In response, the President's Office invited representatives from avuba and skuba to a meeting on December 16, 2024. Discussions are set to continue in early 2025 with the goal of developing joint solutions. avuba will provide information once final results are available.

Learn more about boundary violations in the flyer “Anyone who comes too near is getting too far!”

We would also like to draw your attention to the following points of contact, which are available to assistants free of charge:

Personal Integrity: Confidential and personal point of contact for advice and support for university members whose personal integrity has been violated or who have come into contact with a violation in any way;
Psychological counselling: Independent and confidential advice on personal or psychological problems;
Opferhilfe beider Basel: Advice for victims of crime;
Free legal advice: Do you have a legal problem? Then contact skuba for free legal advice;
avuba consulting: The co-general managers, Patricia and Amancaya, as well as the co-presidents, are available for individual consultations on issues specific to mid-level academia. Write to avuba@clutterunibas.ch.