Reply ‘no position’ while the job posting is still there (‘HiWi’ position in Germany)












8















I am third year undergraduate and I am not studying in Europe.
I plan to apply for a master at a German institute by the end of this year which is the time for application.



This institute advertised a ‘Hiwi’ (student assistant) position on their website.
They link to a PDF file which provides more detail, and in this file they refer to the job as ‘student assistant position’.



I wrote them an email asking about this position. But the group leader replied to me: ‘I could not offer you a position at this point’. This makes me a little confused. I know group leaders face many quite complex situations, but I don’t know how to interpret this. Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?



I did not mention that I intend to apply at this university and also that my main motivation is to get research experience (i.e., I am okay with not being paid). Should I mention these two points?










share|improve this question

























  • On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

    – Dmitry Savostyanov
    21 hours ago






  • 2





    @DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

    – Max
    11 hours ago











  • In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

    – allo
    8 hours ago


















8















I am third year undergraduate and I am not studying in Europe.
I plan to apply for a master at a German institute by the end of this year which is the time for application.



This institute advertised a ‘Hiwi’ (student assistant) position on their website.
They link to a PDF file which provides more detail, and in this file they refer to the job as ‘student assistant position’.



I wrote them an email asking about this position. But the group leader replied to me: ‘I could not offer you a position at this point’. This makes me a little confused. I know group leaders face many quite complex situations, but I don’t know how to interpret this. Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?



I did not mention that I intend to apply at this university and also that my main motivation is to get research experience (i.e., I am okay with not being paid). Should I mention these two points?










share|improve this question

























  • On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

    – Dmitry Savostyanov
    21 hours ago






  • 2





    @DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

    – Max
    11 hours ago











  • In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

    – allo
    8 hours ago
















8












8








8








I am third year undergraduate and I am not studying in Europe.
I plan to apply for a master at a German institute by the end of this year which is the time for application.



This institute advertised a ‘Hiwi’ (student assistant) position on their website.
They link to a PDF file which provides more detail, and in this file they refer to the job as ‘student assistant position’.



I wrote them an email asking about this position. But the group leader replied to me: ‘I could not offer you a position at this point’. This makes me a little confused. I know group leaders face many quite complex situations, but I don’t know how to interpret this. Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?



I did not mention that I intend to apply at this university and also that my main motivation is to get research experience (i.e., I am okay with not being paid). Should I mention these two points?










share|improve this question
















I am third year undergraduate and I am not studying in Europe.
I plan to apply for a master at a German institute by the end of this year which is the time for application.



This institute advertised a ‘Hiwi’ (student assistant) position on their website.
They link to a PDF file which provides more detail, and in this file they refer to the job as ‘student assistant position’.



I wrote them an email asking about this position. But the group leader replied to me: ‘I could not offer you a position at this point’. This makes me a little confused. I know group leaders face many quite complex situations, but I don’t know how to interpret this. Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?



I did not mention that I intend to apply at this university and also that my main motivation is to get research experience (i.e., I am okay with not being paid). Should I mention these two points?







job-search research-undergraduate germany research-assistantship






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 7 mins ago









Wrzlprmft

34.4k11109185




34.4k11109185










asked yesterday









ConwLConwL

10010




10010













  • On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

    – Dmitry Savostyanov
    21 hours ago






  • 2





    @DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

    – Max
    11 hours ago











  • In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

    – allo
    8 hours ago





















  • On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

    – Dmitry Savostyanov
    21 hours ago






  • 2





    @DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

    – Max
    11 hours ago











  • In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

    – allo
    8 hours ago



















On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

– Dmitry Savostyanov
21 hours ago





On an unrelated note - are you certain that this exact term "Hiwi" was used in an official job advertisement in a German institute? It's rather loaded.

– Dmitry Savostyanov
21 hours ago




2




2





@DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

– Max
11 hours ago





@DmitrySavostyanov: in Academia, HiWi stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (assistant scientist/scholar) rather than Hilfswilliger (volunteer) and in my experience (having been employed with the former title) the loaded connotations of the latter seem to ignored or unknown in German universities.

– Max
11 hours ago













In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

– allo
8 hours ago







In germany, a "Hiwi" usually means a position for people, who already earned a degree and jobs for students are called SHK ("studentische Hilfskraft"). There is a difference in the salary and they legally cannot assign a Hiwi position to a student without a degree. And these positions are almost always for people from the same university and usually not meant for working from home, see the answer from @henning.

– allo
8 hours ago












6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















28














Student assistant positions in Germany are usually open only to students enrolled at a local university (often where the position is offered, but always in Germany). This is for reasons of social insurance and labour regulation.



You are not enrolled at a local university. In fact, you are studying outside Europe.






share|improve this answer


























  • In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

    – ConwL
    22 hours ago











  • @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

    – Captain Emacs
    21 hours ago






  • 2





    @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

    – henning
    21 hours ago













  • @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

    – ConwL
    21 hours ago











  • You're welcome.

    – henning
    21 hours ago



















11















Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?




Most likely, yes. Note he didn't say the position has been filled; he's only saying he can't offer you a position (perhaps because you don't meet the minimum requirements, or he doesn't think you're suited to the role, there are better candidates who've applied, etc).






share|improve this answer





















  • 4





    +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

    – cag51
    yesterday











  • ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

    – JeffE
    20 hours ago








  • 1





    Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

    – cag51
    10 hours ago











  • Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    7 hours ago



















7














This group may have a candidate in mind but forced to put an ad out for compliance.



For many temporary or contract positions, full HR process is not required and a full hiring committee is not struck: the head of the unit is the sole decider. Moreover, there might be seniority issues which guarantee the position to someone who was previously employed in this position - v.g. sessional instructor for a specific course. One is still legally obligated to advertise the position, but the playing field is tilted to favour a particular candidate. Basically, the person previously holding the position has to reapply.



This happens all the time because a contract might run over a set period, but the contract is open yearly. Maybe one needs a lab technician for the academic year but not over the summer recess. Alternatively, the lab technician who’s contract ends in April is asked to apply for a research assistant position to cover the summer months. Contract are structured this way because part-time or contract employees gets fewer benefits than full-time ones.



There are all kinds of combination possible where an internal candidate has the inside track for a position still legally required to be posted.






share|improve this answer





















  • 1





    This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

    – Solar Mike
    yesterday











  • Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

    – ConwL
    23 hours ago






  • 2





    @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

    – Solar Mike
    23 hours ago













  • That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

    – Buffy
    19 hours ago






  • 3





    But happens often.

    – Vladimir F
    18 hours ago



















3














It may be that the job is subject to visa regulations and the group leader recognised/assumed that it would take extra steps to secure a right visa for you.






share|improve this answer































    2














    Another possibility is that the respective research group leader simply ran out for funds for "Hiwi" positions. Getting good student assistants is hard, and they may have the advertisement on their web site continuously. This could be the case if they are willing to use precious grant overhead money for very exceptional candidates. If the research group leader felt that this does not apply to you and the regular funds have been used up, he/she...may be unable to offer you a "Hiwi" position at this point.






    share|improve this answer































      2














      One more possibility: I used to get tons of e-mail from random parts of the world and random departments not my own, asking to be my TA or RA. I'm in Texas. I get an e-mail from Sri Lanka from some guy I never heard of, which includes his vita and copies of publications, and what am I to think? I think that he has probably e-mailed every math/science/engineering professor in world. I wasn't even advertising nor was I in the market for grad students. So these just got deleted. I would get similar bombardments from grad students in engineering (I was in the Math Dept.) mostly foreign students, wanting the same thing. They were also ignored.



      If a student can't get support in his own country/department, then that's "strike one" for sure. Sending spam to a country/department that shows that you don't know "how things work" in that country/department, is "strike two." Our department admits and hires our TA's and RA's. The faculty have little to do with who gets to occupy those 3-or-4 person offices. So when I open such an e-mail, my first thought is "Dude, you're asking the wrong guy." It's especially telling if the grad student is in the engineering building across the street and, having been here for at least a year, doesn't have any friends or mentors who can tell him good ways to find support. Specifically, it seems that the grad advisor in Electrical Engineering would know who the student should e-mail in the Math Dept. Yet he e-mailed me.



      So my suggestion here is that, perhaps, your application came in with a few hundred other fishing attempts and you got the form response back.






      share|improve this answer























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        6 Answers
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        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

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        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        28














        Student assistant positions in Germany are usually open only to students enrolled at a local university (often where the position is offered, but always in Germany). This is for reasons of social insurance and labour regulation.



        You are not enrolled at a local university. In fact, you are studying outside Europe.






        share|improve this answer


























        • In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

          – ConwL
          22 hours ago











        • @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

          – Captain Emacs
          21 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

          – henning
          21 hours ago













        • @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

          – ConwL
          21 hours ago











        • You're welcome.

          – henning
          21 hours ago
















        28














        Student assistant positions in Germany are usually open only to students enrolled at a local university (often where the position is offered, but always in Germany). This is for reasons of social insurance and labour regulation.



        You are not enrolled at a local university. In fact, you are studying outside Europe.






        share|improve this answer


























        • In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

          – ConwL
          22 hours ago











        • @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

          – Captain Emacs
          21 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

          – henning
          21 hours ago













        • @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

          – ConwL
          21 hours ago











        • You're welcome.

          – henning
          21 hours ago














        28












        28








        28







        Student assistant positions in Germany are usually open only to students enrolled at a local university (often where the position is offered, but always in Germany). This is for reasons of social insurance and labour regulation.



        You are not enrolled at a local university. In fact, you are studying outside Europe.






        share|improve this answer















        Student assistant positions in Germany are usually open only to students enrolled at a local university (often where the position is offered, but always in Germany). This is for reasons of social insurance and labour regulation.



        You are not enrolled at a local university. In fact, you are studying outside Europe.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 20 hours ago

























        answered 22 hours ago









        henninghenning

        18.7k46596




        18.7k46596













        • In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

          – ConwL
          22 hours ago











        • @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

          – Captain Emacs
          21 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

          – henning
          21 hours ago













        • @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

          – ConwL
          21 hours ago











        • You're welcome.

          – henning
          21 hours ago



















        • In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

          – ConwL
          22 hours ago











        • @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

          – Captain Emacs
          21 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

          – henning
          21 hours ago













        • @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

          – ConwL
          21 hours ago











        • You're welcome.

          – henning
          21 hours ago

















        In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

        – ConwL
        22 hours ago





        In this case I am writing to a independent institute, while directors are faculties of a closely cooperating university. I don't know whether the scenario you mentioned is also the case here. I guess if it is only for students enrolled in the institute, they are already in a research position, don't they?

        – ConwL
        22 hours ago













        @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

        – Captain Emacs
        21 hours ago





        @ConwL No, the students do not have to have to be paid to be at the institute. They may do their thesis (unpaid).

        – Captain Emacs
        21 hours ago




        2




        2





        @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

        – henning
        21 hours ago







        @ConwL The exact scenario doesn't apply then. But usually only students enrolled in Germany are considered, because they profit from special rates with the compulsory social insurance, which makes it much cheaper to employ them. Moreover, the institute might hesitate to hire someone from far abroad for a very junior and usually also rather short-term position, because they can't be sure about your commitment. There are probably visa-related issues too, as mentioned in another answer.

        – henning
        21 hours ago















        @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

        – ConwL
        21 hours ago





        @henning Thx, this tip really help me see the important part.

        – ConwL
        21 hours ago













        You're welcome.

        – henning
        21 hours ago





        You're welcome.

        – henning
        21 hours ago











        11















        Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?




        Most likely, yes. Note he didn't say the position has been filled; he's only saying he can't offer you a position (perhaps because you don't meet the minimum requirements, or he doesn't think you're suited to the role, there are better candidates who've applied, etc).






        share|improve this answer





















        • 4





          +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

          – cag51
          yesterday











        • ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

          – JeffE
          20 hours ago








        • 1





          Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

          – cag51
          10 hours ago











        • Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          7 hours ago
















        11















        Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?




        Most likely, yes. Note he didn't say the position has been filled; he's only saying he can't offer you a position (perhaps because you don't meet the minimum requirements, or he doesn't think you're suited to the role, there are better candidates who've applied, etc).






        share|improve this answer





















        • 4





          +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

          – cag51
          yesterday











        • ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

          – JeffE
          20 hours ago








        • 1





          Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

          – cag51
          10 hours ago











        • Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          7 hours ago














        11












        11








        11








        Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?




        Most likely, yes. Note he didn't say the position has been filled; he's only saying he can't offer you a position (perhaps because you don't meet the minimum requirements, or he doesn't think you're suited to the role, there are better candidates who've applied, etc).






        share|improve this answer
















        Is it just because he think I am not good enough at the first read of my email and make a polite refusal?




        Most likely, yes. Note he didn't say the position has been filled; he's only saying he can't offer you a position (perhaps because you don't meet the minimum requirements, or he doesn't think you're suited to the role, there are better candidates who've applied, etc).







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 19 hours ago

























        answered yesterday









        AllureAllure

        33.4k19101153




        33.4k19101153








        • 4





          +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

          – cag51
          yesterday











        • ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

          – JeffE
          20 hours ago








        • 1





          Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

          – cag51
          10 hours ago











        • Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          7 hours ago














        • 4





          +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

          – cag51
          yesterday











        • ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

          – JeffE
          20 hours ago








        • 1





          Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

          – cag51
          10 hours ago











        • Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          7 hours ago








        4




        4





        +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

        – cag51
        yesterday





        +1, my guess is that by "at this point", he means "while you're a third-year undergraduate"

        – cag51
        yesterday













        ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

        – JeffE
        20 hours ago







        ...or it could mean that there are other applicants that are ranked more highly than OP; they can't offer OP the position until/unless those other applicants withdraw.

        – JeffE
        20 hours ago






        1




        1





        Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

        – cag51
        10 hours ago





        Well, OP describes "e-mailing to ask" about the position, which sounds like they were told not to apply rather than just getting a normal rejection. In any case, I bet henning's answer is correct, and it's more like "while you're a third year undergraduate at a different university outside of Europe"

        – cag51
        10 hours ago













        Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        7 hours ago





        Indeed, this email is almost certainly "um I don't know this person and have no real interest in looking into this so I will find a kind way to shoo them away"

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        7 hours ago











        7














        This group may have a candidate in mind but forced to put an ad out for compliance.



        For many temporary or contract positions, full HR process is not required and a full hiring committee is not struck: the head of the unit is the sole decider. Moreover, there might be seniority issues which guarantee the position to someone who was previously employed in this position - v.g. sessional instructor for a specific course. One is still legally obligated to advertise the position, but the playing field is tilted to favour a particular candidate. Basically, the person previously holding the position has to reapply.



        This happens all the time because a contract might run over a set period, but the contract is open yearly. Maybe one needs a lab technician for the academic year but not over the summer recess. Alternatively, the lab technician who’s contract ends in April is asked to apply for a research assistant position to cover the summer months. Contract are structured this way because part-time or contract employees gets fewer benefits than full-time ones.



        There are all kinds of combination possible where an internal candidate has the inside track for a position still legally required to be posted.






        share|improve this answer





















        • 1





          This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

          – Solar Mike
          yesterday











        • Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

          – ConwL
          23 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

          – Solar Mike
          23 hours ago













        • That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

          – Buffy
          19 hours ago






        • 3





          But happens often.

          – Vladimir F
          18 hours ago
















        7














        This group may have a candidate in mind but forced to put an ad out for compliance.



        For many temporary or contract positions, full HR process is not required and a full hiring committee is not struck: the head of the unit is the sole decider. Moreover, there might be seniority issues which guarantee the position to someone who was previously employed in this position - v.g. sessional instructor for a specific course. One is still legally obligated to advertise the position, but the playing field is tilted to favour a particular candidate. Basically, the person previously holding the position has to reapply.



        This happens all the time because a contract might run over a set period, but the contract is open yearly. Maybe one needs a lab technician for the academic year but not over the summer recess. Alternatively, the lab technician who’s contract ends in April is asked to apply for a research assistant position to cover the summer months. Contract are structured this way because part-time or contract employees gets fewer benefits than full-time ones.



        There are all kinds of combination possible where an internal candidate has the inside track for a position still legally required to be posted.






        share|improve this answer





















        • 1





          This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

          – Solar Mike
          yesterday











        • Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

          – ConwL
          23 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

          – Solar Mike
          23 hours ago













        • That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

          – Buffy
          19 hours ago






        • 3





          But happens often.

          – Vladimir F
          18 hours ago














        7












        7








        7







        This group may have a candidate in mind but forced to put an ad out for compliance.



        For many temporary or contract positions, full HR process is not required and a full hiring committee is not struck: the head of the unit is the sole decider. Moreover, there might be seniority issues which guarantee the position to someone who was previously employed in this position - v.g. sessional instructor for a specific course. One is still legally obligated to advertise the position, but the playing field is tilted to favour a particular candidate. Basically, the person previously holding the position has to reapply.



        This happens all the time because a contract might run over a set period, but the contract is open yearly. Maybe one needs a lab technician for the academic year but not over the summer recess. Alternatively, the lab technician who’s contract ends in April is asked to apply for a research assistant position to cover the summer months. Contract are structured this way because part-time or contract employees gets fewer benefits than full-time ones.



        There are all kinds of combination possible where an internal candidate has the inside track for a position still legally required to be posted.






        share|improve this answer















        This group may have a candidate in mind but forced to put an ad out for compliance.



        For many temporary or contract positions, full HR process is not required and a full hiring committee is not struck: the head of the unit is the sole decider. Moreover, there might be seniority issues which guarantee the position to someone who was previously employed in this position - v.g. sessional instructor for a specific course. One is still legally obligated to advertise the position, but the playing field is tilted to favour a particular candidate. Basically, the person previously holding the position has to reapply.



        This happens all the time because a contract might run over a set period, but the contract is open yearly. Maybe one needs a lab technician for the academic year but not over the summer recess. Alternatively, the lab technician who’s contract ends in April is asked to apply for a research assistant position to cover the summer months. Contract are structured this way because part-time or contract employees gets fewer benefits than full-time ones.



        There are all kinds of combination possible where an internal candidate has the inside track for a position still legally required to be posted.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 18 hours ago

























        answered yesterday









        ZeroTheHeroZeroTheHero

        1,49612




        1,49612








        • 1





          This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

          – Solar Mike
          yesterday











        • Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

          – ConwL
          23 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

          – Solar Mike
          23 hours ago













        • That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

          – Buffy
          19 hours ago






        • 3





          But happens often.

          – Vladimir F
          18 hours ago














        • 1





          This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

          – Solar Mike
          yesterday











        • Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

          – ConwL
          23 hours ago






        • 2





          @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

          – Solar Mike
          23 hours ago













        • That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

          – Buffy
          19 hours ago






        • 3





          But happens often.

          – Vladimir F
          18 hours ago








        1




        1





        This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

        – Solar Mike
        yesterday





        This happens often - voted +1, an explanation from the downvoter would be useful...

        – Solar Mike
        yesterday













        Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

        – ConwL
        23 hours ago





        Could you give a little more detail about Who would force them do so and why? I know little about this:)

        – ConwL
        23 hours ago




        2




        2





        @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

        – Solar Mike
        23 hours ago







        @ConwL It’s obvious - they have an internal candidate, but the law requires them to advertise the position - which they have done... So either you did not match what they wanted or you did and they gave it to the internal candidate anyway.

        – Solar Mike
        23 hours ago















        That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

        – Buffy
        19 hours ago





        That would be unethical, and in some places illegal.

        – Buffy
        19 hours ago




        3




        3





        But happens often.

        – Vladimir F
        18 hours ago





        But happens often.

        – Vladimir F
        18 hours ago











        3














        It may be that the job is subject to visa regulations and the group leader recognised/assumed that it would take extra steps to secure a right visa for you.






        share|improve this answer




























          3














          It may be that the job is subject to visa regulations and the group leader recognised/assumed that it would take extra steps to secure a right visa for you.






          share|improve this answer


























            3












            3








            3







            It may be that the job is subject to visa regulations and the group leader recognised/assumed that it would take extra steps to secure a right visa for you.






            share|improve this answer













            It may be that the job is subject to visa regulations and the group leader recognised/assumed that it would take extra steps to secure a right visa for you.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 23 hours ago









            Dmitry SavostyanovDmitry Savostyanov

            26.6k1055110




            26.6k1055110























                2














                Another possibility is that the respective research group leader simply ran out for funds for "Hiwi" positions. Getting good student assistants is hard, and they may have the advertisement on their web site continuously. This could be the case if they are willing to use precious grant overhead money for very exceptional candidates. If the research group leader felt that this does not apply to you and the regular funds have been used up, he/she...may be unable to offer you a "Hiwi" position at this point.






                share|improve this answer




























                  2














                  Another possibility is that the respective research group leader simply ran out for funds for "Hiwi" positions. Getting good student assistants is hard, and they may have the advertisement on their web site continuously. This could be the case if they are willing to use precious grant overhead money for very exceptional candidates. If the research group leader felt that this does not apply to you and the regular funds have been used up, he/she...may be unable to offer you a "Hiwi" position at this point.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    2












                    2








                    2







                    Another possibility is that the respective research group leader simply ran out for funds for "Hiwi" positions. Getting good student assistants is hard, and they may have the advertisement on their web site continuously. This could be the case if they are willing to use precious grant overhead money for very exceptional candidates. If the research group leader felt that this does not apply to you and the regular funds have been used up, he/she...may be unable to offer you a "Hiwi" position at this point.






                    share|improve this answer













                    Another possibility is that the respective research group leader simply ran out for funds for "Hiwi" positions. Getting good student assistants is hard, and they may have the advertisement on their web site continuously. This could be the case if they are willing to use precious grant overhead money for very exceptional candidates. If the research group leader felt that this does not apply to you and the regular funds have been used up, he/she...may be unable to offer you a "Hiwi" position at this point.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 15 hours ago









                    DCTLibDCTLib

                    8,8712938




                    8,8712938























                        2














                        One more possibility: I used to get tons of e-mail from random parts of the world and random departments not my own, asking to be my TA or RA. I'm in Texas. I get an e-mail from Sri Lanka from some guy I never heard of, which includes his vita and copies of publications, and what am I to think? I think that he has probably e-mailed every math/science/engineering professor in world. I wasn't even advertising nor was I in the market for grad students. So these just got deleted. I would get similar bombardments from grad students in engineering (I was in the Math Dept.) mostly foreign students, wanting the same thing. They were also ignored.



                        If a student can't get support in his own country/department, then that's "strike one" for sure. Sending spam to a country/department that shows that you don't know "how things work" in that country/department, is "strike two." Our department admits and hires our TA's and RA's. The faculty have little to do with who gets to occupy those 3-or-4 person offices. So when I open such an e-mail, my first thought is "Dude, you're asking the wrong guy." It's especially telling if the grad student is in the engineering building across the street and, having been here for at least a year, doesn't have any friends or mentors who can tell him good ways to find support. Specifically, it seems that the grad advisor in Electrical Engineering would know who the student should e-mail in the Math Dept. Yet he e-mailed me.



                        So my suggestion here is that, perhaps, your application came in with a few hundred other fishing attempts and you got the form response back.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          2














                          One more possibility: I used to get tons of e-mail from random parts of the world and random departments not my own, asking to be my TA or RA. I'm in Texas. I get an e-mail from Sri Lanka from some guy I never heard of, which includes his vita and copies of publications, and what am I to think? I think that he has probably e-mailed every math/science/engineering professor in world. I wasn't even advertising nor was I in the market for grad students. So these just got deleted. I would get similar bombardments from grad students in engineering (I was in the Math Dept.) mostly foreign students, wanting the same thing. They were also ignored.



                          If a student can't get support in his own country/department, then that's "strike one" for sure. Sending spam to a country/department that shows that you don't know "how things work" in that country/department, is "strike two." Our department admits and hires our TA's and RA's. The faculty have little to do with who gets to occupy those 3-or-4 person offices. So when I open such an e-mail, my first thought is "Dude, you're asking the wrong guy." It's especially telling if the grad student is in the engineering building across the street and, having been here for at least a year, doesn't have any friends or mentors who can tell him good ways to find support. Specifically, it seems that the grad advisor in Electrical Engineering would know who the student should e-mail in the Math Dept. Yet he e-mailed me.



                          So my suggestion here is that, perhaps, your application came in with a few hundred other fishing attempts and you got the form response back.






                          share|improve this answer


























                            2












                            2








                            2







                            One more possibility: I used to get tons of e-mail from random parts of the world and random departments not my own, asking to be my TA or RA. I'm in Texas. I get an e-mail from Sri Lanka from some guy I never heard of, which includes his vita and copies of publications, and what am I to think? I think that he has probably e-mailed every math/science/engineering professor in world. I wasn't even advertising nor was I in the market for grad students. So these just got deleted. I would get similar bombardments from grad students in engineering (I was in the Math Dept.) mostly foreign students, wanting the same thing. They were also ignored.



                            If a student can't get support in his own country/department, then that's "strike one" for sure. Sending spam to a country/department that shows that you don't know "how things work" in that country/department, is "strike two." Our department admits and hires our TA's and RA's. The faculty have little to do with who gets to occupy those 3-or-4 person offices. So when I open such an e-mail, my first thought is "Dude, you're asking the wrong guy." It's especially telling if the grad student is in the engineering building across the street and, having been here for at least a year, doesn't have any friends or mentors who can tell him good ways to find support. Specifically, it seems that the grad advisor in Electrical Engineering would know who the student should e-mail in the Math Dept. Yet he e-mailed me.



                            So my suggestion here is that, perhaps, your application came in with a few hundred other fishing attempts and you got the form response back.






                            share|improve this answer













                            One more possibility: I used to get tons of e-mail from random parts of the world and random departments not my own, asking to be my TA or RA. I'm in Texas. I get an e-mail from Sri Lanka from some guy I never heard of, which includes his vita and copies of publications, and what am I to think? I think that he has probably e-mailed every math/science/engineering professor in world. I wasn't even advertising nor was I in the market for grad students. So these just got deleted. I would get similar bombardments from grad students in engineering (I was in the Math Dept.) mostly foreign students, wanting the same thing. They were also ignored.



                            If a student can't get support in his own country/department, then that's "strike one" for sure. Sending spam to a country/department that shows that you don't know "how things work" in that country/department, is "strike two." Our department admits and hires our TA's and RA's. The faculty have little to do with who gets to occupy those 3-or-4 person offices. So when I open such an e-mail, my first thought is "Dude, you're asking the wrong guy." It's especially telling if the grad student is in the engineering building across the street and, having been here for at least a year, doesn't have any friends or mentors who can tell him good ways to find support. Specifically, it seems that the grad advisor in Electrical Engineering would know who the student should e-mail in the Math Dept. Yet he e-mailed me.



                            So my suggestion here is that, perhaps, your application came in with a few hundred other fishing attempts and you got the form response back.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 9 hours ago









                            B. GoddardB. Goddard

                            4,94821118




                            4,94821118






























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