Collective agreement for Ph.D's

If you're hired as a Ph.D. fellow at a university, your salary is regulated by the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) collective agreement for state employees.

This means:

• You're both enrolled at a university and employed in a fixed-term position.
• Your salary is typically funded by the university.

Understand your university Ph.D. agreement

As an Industrial Ph.D. (ErhvervsPhD), you're employed by a private company while also enrolled at a university.

Key facts:

• Your salary is paid by the company.
• The company can apply for funding from Innovation Fund Denmark.
• A customized employment agreement must be created.

Working as a Ph.D. researcher in a regional setting—such as a hospital—means you're covered by the AC collective agreement for regional employees.

You will:

• Be enrolled at a university as part of your research project.
• Typically follow regional pay and employment conditions.

Ph.D.s employed by municipalities are subject to the AC collective agreement for municipal employees.

This applies whether:

• The project is independent or done in collaboration with a university.
• You're fully employed by the municipality or jointly funded.

Teaching staff at university colleges may complete a Ph.D. in cooperation with a university.

Important to know:

• Salary and funding are agreed individually.
• The agreement may involve the college alone or with other institutions.