Fixed-term employment in higher education

Chapter 4, Section 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance allows state sector higher education institutions to employ teachers in artistic disciplines on fixed-term contracts, (see below for regulations regarding the private sector). However, this does not apply to adjunct teachers, as this position is regulated in collective agreements, see the final section below. The period of employment is limited to five years, with the possibility to grant an extension for a further five years. The maximum time you can be employed with this form of employment is therefore ten years. It does not matter if you are employed in different positions or with different contracts – the limit is set at ten years with one and the same employer.

The same section clarifies that the Employment Protection Act (LAS) otherwise applies, and this means, for example, that if you are employed in this form of employment, you have preferential rights to reemployment and that the employer must give written notice when your employment ends in accordance with LAS Section 15.

These positions are to be advertised and appointed in competition in accordance with the rules that apply to state employers. They must also follow the principles of merit and competence in the appointment process, and decisions on employment can be appealed. The Higher Education Ordinance regulates eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for professors and senior lecturers in artistic disciplines.

Some higher education institutions employ a majority of their teachers in this form of employment, but the primary rule in the labour market is permanent employment, and the same should apply to artistic disciplines. This is clarified in Bill 2009/10: 149 A Modern Higher Education Sector - Increased Freedom for Universities and Colleges.

The justification for retaining this type of fixed-term employment, according to the same Bill, is that "Employment of teachers for artistic programmes is limited in time because arts education occupies a special position with regard to the need for renewal".

This form of employment is also regulated in the sector agreement for private universities. The same principles apply there, with the exception that the rules for advertising and appointment are not the same in the private sector as in the state sector.

The Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4

Section 10. A teacher in disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts may be employed for an indefinite period, however for no longer than five years. Such an appointment may be extended. The total period of employment may not, however, exceed ten years. In other respects, the post is subject to the provisions of the Employment Protection Act (1982:80). Ordinance (2010:1064).

Adjunct Professors

As a general rule, professors must be employed permanently. There are, however, exceptions in the Higher Education Ordinance, and as part of its external collaborations, it is possible for a higher education institution to engage people with specific skills. Adjunct professor is one such form of employment, where the teacher is assumed to have their main employment, (i.e. more than 50% of full time), outside the institution and is to be a link between the institution and working life.

This form of employment is regulated in Chapter 4, Section 11 of the Higher Education Ordinance and entails employment for an indefinite period, but for no longer than until a specified date, i.e. a fixed-term employment. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of twelve years.

Anyone who is employed as an adjunct professor must be assessed according the same requirements as a professor in terms of eligibility requirements and competence.

Chapter 4, Section 11 of the Higher Education Ordinance clarifies that the Employment Protection Act (LAS) otherwise applies, and this means, for example, that if you are employed in this form of employment, you have preferential rights to reemployment and that the employer must give written notice when your employment ends in accordance with LAS Section 15.

The Higher Education Ordinance

Section 11. An adjunct professor shall be employed for an indefinite period but for no longer than until a specified date. Such an appointment may be extended. The total period of employment may not, however, exceed twelve years. In other respects, the post is subject to the provisions of the Employment Protection Act (1982:80). Ordinance (2010:1064).

The sector agreement

This form of employment is also regulated by the sector agreement for private universities.

Section 4, subsection 2. An adjunct professor shall be employed for an indefinite period, but no longer than until a specified date. Such an appointment may be renewed. However, the total period of employment may not exceed twelve years. An adjunct professor is to promote the acquisition of knowledge within the individual higher education institution. An adjunct professor has their main employment at another employer. In other respects, the post is subject to the provisions of the Employment Protection Act (1982:80).

Visiting professors

As is the case with adjunct professors, visiting professors are an exception to the primary rule that a professor is to be permanently employed. These forms of employment are a way for higher education institutions to engage certain competences in their education programmes and/or to collaborate externally. A visiting professor is to have their main employment at another university and can be employed for a maximum of five years.

The Higher Education Ordinance clarifies that the Employment Protection Act (LAS) otherwise applies, and this means, for example, that if you are employed in this form of employment, you have preferential rights to reemployment and that the employer must give written notice when your employment ends in accordance with LAS Section 15.

The Higher Education Ordinance

Section 12. A visiting professor shall be employed for an indefinite period but for no longer than until a specified date. Such an appointment may be extended. The total period of employment may not, however, exceed five years. In other respects, the post is subject to the provisions of the Employment Protection Act (1982:80). Ordinance (2010:1064).

The sector agreement

This form of employment is also regulated by the sector agreement for private universities.

Section 4, subsection 2. A visiting professor shall be employed for an indefinite period, but no longer than until a specified date. Such an appointment may be renewed. However, the total period of employment may not exceed five years. A visiting professor is to provide the individual higher education institution with additional scientific competence that enriches and develops its teaching. A visiting professor’s main work tasks are to consist of research. In other respects, the post is subject to the provisions of the Employment Protection Act (1982:80).

Adjunct teacher

This form of employment is not regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance. It is instead regulated by a central collective agreement. Its purpose is to enable higher education institutions to engage competence that it does not normally have, but which is necessary in order to maintain the quality of the education.

The degree of employment is to be based on the requirements of the institution and be approximately 20%, though it may exceed this in some cases. The length of employment is limited to a maximum of two years, and it does not give the right to reemployment or a higher degree of employment according to the rules in the Employment Protection Act.

Before the employer decides to employ an adjunct teacher, it must conduct an assessment of the extent of its future adjunct needs. It must also report annually how many adjunct teachers it has employed. This must then be negotiated with the local employee organisations within the framework of the Co-determination Act (MBL) or through collaboration if there is a local collective agreement on collaboration.

In cases where it is possible to employ an adjunct teacher in combined employment, in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance, this is to be the primary alternative. Employing adjunct teachers in accordance with this agreement is not permitted in situations where it is possible to employ teachers in artistic disciplines in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

The full text of the agreement on fixed-term employment for adjunct teachers is available on the Swedish Agency for Government Employers website (in Swedish only).