According to the Act on Scientific Activity and Higher Education (OG 123/03, (96/18)), associate titles and corresponding posts at the university are assistant and postdoctoral student. Assistants and postdoctoral students are selected from among the most successful students.

Assistants and postdoctoral students help implement a part of the teaching process, knowledge testing, scientific, artistic and professional activities of the university or the faculty in accordance with its general act.

A person who completed a graduate university study, university or faculty may be selected to be an assistant and conclude a contract for a certain period of time, for a duration of six years as an associate assistant. Assistant is required to enrol and regularly attend a postgraduate university study, except for assistants in the field of art.

The associates at the university are elected in accordance with the statute of the university, that is, the faculty under the conditions provided for by the Act on Scientific Activity and Higher Education.

Every year the university or faculty assesses the work of the assistant. The evaluation is based on a written report by a mentor evaluating the candidates' performance in scientific, artistic and teaching work, as well as the success in postgraduate university study.

At least once every two years, the postdoctoral student submits to the expert council a report on his/her work on the basis of which his/her performance in scientific or artistic and educational work is evaluated. If, for the second time, the expert council of the university or faculty has negatively assessed the work of an assistant or postdoctoral student, the procedure of regular termination of the employment contract shall be initiated.

At least once every two years, the university or faculty assesses the work of the assistant mentor on the basis of the activity report and the report and evaluation of the assistant on teacher mentoring. A mentor assessed twice as negative can no longer be appointed mentor. The criteria for the assessment and appointment of mentors shall be laid down in a general act of the university or faculty.