Deferment Canceled for Ukrainian PhD Students After Defense: New Employment Rules Take Effect.

Martial Law and Employment for Military Conscripts

According to Novyny.live: Under current regulations, postgraduate students in Ukraine can postpone military service until they complete their studies. However, this deferment is automatically revoked once they defend their dissertation. Against the backdrop of martial law declared during the full-scale war in Ukraine, finding a job has become increasingly difficult for those liable for military service. To secure new employment, individuals registered for military duty must present 'clean' military registration documents.

According to existing legislation, after finishing their studies, PhD candidates may take up positions at higher education institutions. Viacheslav Kyrdа points out that

“there is only one legal option: after the dissertation defense, appoint the individual to a scientific-pedagogical position with a workload of at least 0.75 of the full rate.”

Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that to obtain a new deferment based on a new job, one must submit an application after the previous deferment has been canceled. Yurii Aivazian emphasizes that

“after being removed from the postgraduate program, the person must be placed as quickly as possible into a vacant scientific-pedagogical position with a minimum workload of 0.75.”

Hiring for those subject to military service is further complicated by the requirement to present military registration documents. Without these, individuals cannot formalize a new workplace. Therefore, PhD students planning their future careers must take all these nuances into account to successfully pursue their professional goals under martial law.

In this context, it is important to recognize that martial law in Ukraine creates numerous challenges not only for military conscripts but also for educational institutions, which are seeing shifts in employment patterns. Graduate students who defend their theses may need to adapt quickly to new circumstances, requiring clear coordination of hiring processes. Given the situation, it is essential that universities and PhD candidates work together to ensure continuity in both education and professional development during wartime.