research assistant salary aarhus university

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Graduate School, Arts

Salary and employment, salary and working conditions.

Most PhD students are employed at the Faculty of Arts simultaneously with their enrolment as PhD students, but there are also many PhD students who are employed by public or private employers during their PhD study.

Apart from working on the PhD project and taking part in PhD courses the PhD degree programme normally requires that the PhD student places a certain number of working hours at the department at which he or she is associated. The PhD student and the department agree on the tasks. This might for instance be teaching, instructor lessons or assistance to project applications, conferences or other research activities at the department.  

The Guidelines on PhD students' paid work for the departments (840 hours total) is the Faculty regulations on work hours for PhD students: English version - Danish version

PhD fellowship

As a PhD student (5+3 programme or 4+4 programme, part B) you are salaried in accordance with the collective agreement between the state and the academic unions. This means that you will have a monthly income at approximately 28,900-35,000 Danish Kroner before tax (depending on seniority).

The majority of PhDs are employed within higher education and work within research and teaching. However, an increasing number of PhDs are also employed within other public institutions or private companies.

Further information

• Salary agreement:  English version  -  Danish version
• Salary levels (5+3 programme and part B of the 4+4-programme): English version
• Seniority of a PhD fellow (5+3): English version

SU PhD scholarship

PhD students on part A of the 4+4 programme receive a payment corresponding to two SU vouchers per month (maximum 48 points). One SU vouchers corresponds to DKK 6,820.00 (2024). The PhD SU vouchers are funded by the graduate school or the grant for the scholarship.

Any remaining SU vouchers from your Master's degree programme will be paid according to article 1 of the law regarding the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme (SU). These SU vouchers are funded by the Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme (SU Styrelsen).

The SU vouchers from your Master's degree programme and the PhD SU vouchers are thus paid independently of each other.

Additionally, PhD students on part A are offered employment simultaneously with the SU PhD scholarship which takes place in accordance with the agreement regarding payment of PhD students for work carried out in connection with the PhD programme (enclosure 5b: Danish version - English version ).

The salaried work is 280 working hours in total during part A of the PhD degree programme (two years), corresponding to one-third of the workload on a three-year PhD fellowship. If the 4+4 PhD student is enrolled for less than two years on part A, the departmental work will be reduced in accordance with the duration of the enrolment period (enrolment for 1½ year on part A = 210 working hours).

The hourly salary is DKK 230.95 (October 2023 level).      As of 1 January 2024 new PhD students are paid monthly in arrears at a rate of 2.68 hours per week.    PhD students employed before 1 January 2024: The salary is based on 17.5 hours per month, and is disbursed on the last weekday of each month during February-May and September-December.

From part A to part B

After obtaining a Master's degree and the successful completion of the qualifying exam the PhD student will be employed on the 4+4 programme's part B under the same conditions as a PhD fellow on the 5+3 programme .

Please be aware that the SU PhD scholarship on part A of the 4+4 programme is paid monthly in advance while the monthly salary on part B will be at your disposal on the last weekday of the month. This means that there be a “gap” between your payments.

Example: Part A ends on 31 August 2023 and part B starts on 1 September 2023. The last SU payment on part A (payment for August) will be at your disposal at the beginning of August 2023 while your first salary on part B (payment for September) will be at your disposal on the last weekday of September 2023. 

Guide for International Academic Staff

Please see this page for the guide

Employment in the Danish State Sector

Learn more about employment in the Danish State Sector in the publication " Employment in the Danish State Sector " made by The Agency for the Modernisation of Public Administration.

The Danish Association of Masters and PhDs

Universities and institutions of higher education

If you are employed with a university or an institution of higher education, e.g. academies of music and schools of visual arts, a significant part of your salary and your terms of employment are laid down in the job structure. Your salary is made up of basic salary, pension contribution and a fixed allowance.

Basic salary and pension contribution as April 1st 2024

Phd fellow and principal positions.

The position of PhD fellow is a fixed-term educational position.

Read more on terms and career opportunities for PhD fellows

Common to both assistant professor/researcher

The position of assistant professor/researcher is a full-time position, but employment on a part-time basis is possible.

Employment is contracted as either assistant professor or researcher. The job content determines the job title. See descriptions of

assistant professor (A) and researcher (B), respectively, below.

Employment as an assistant professor/researcher requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

The university decides whether a position is advertised as part of a tenure-track programme or as fixed-term employment.

Re-employment of an employee in several consecutive fixed-term positions is possible; however, such employment may not exceed eight years.

Job advertisements must state whether positions are part of a tenure-track programme or are fixed-term. The filling of both tenure track and fixed-term positions must follow the normal procedures set out in the appointment order, including the rules on advertisement and assessment.

Assistant professors/researchers employed under a tenure-track programme or in a fixed-term position must complete a university pedagogical programme.

Tenure-track employment 

The position of assistant professor/researcher may be filled as part of a tenure-track programme under which the employee after a maximum of six years transfers to employment as an associate professor/senior researcher. Such transfer requires that the employee is assessed and found to be academically qualified for the level of associate professor/senior researcher.

Advertisements of tenure-track positions must clearly stipulate and ensure transparency about the criteria that will be emphasised in the academic assessment prior to the transfer from the level of assistant professor/researcher to the level of associate professor/senior researcher. The criteria may be divided into general expectations regarding, for example, research, research-based teaching, research-based public-sector consultancy and knowledge dissemination. The university is required to continuously follow up on the assistant professor’s/researcher’s development in relation to the criteria set up.

The academic assessment will normally take place within the last six months of the assistant professor’s/researcher’s period of employment. The employee may, however, request to have his or her qualifications assessed at an earlier time within the first four years of employment. If the conclusion is that the employee is not academically qualified, he or she may request another assessment within the last six months of the period of employment. A maximum of two academic assessments may thus be carried out.

If the employee fails to submit a request to have his or her qualifications assessed within the last year of employment, or if the employee is assessed and found not to be academically qualified, the university must immediately initiate dismissal proceedings in accordance with the collective agreement rules.

Fixed-term employment

The position of assistant professor/researcher may be filled on a fixed-term basis for a period of up to four years. A written assessment of the teaching qualifications of the assistant professor/researcher must be provided no later than three months before the end of the period of employment.

Assistant professor

The assistant professorship is an educational position. The main responsibilities are research (including publication/academic dissemination duties) and research-based teaching (with related examination duties). In addition to research and research-based teaching, the position may involve knowledge sharing with society. Moreover, other duties may have to be performed to a limited extent. The university determines the exact weighting of the various responsibilities. The weighting may vary over time, but a balance must be struck for the assistant professor to be able to improve his or her qualifications within the areas relevant to the position.

The position of researcher is an educational position with research (including publication/academic dissemination duties) as the main responsibility. The position also includes research-based teaching. Furthermore, the position may include research-based publicsector consultancy (including research-based advisory tasks and research-supporting contingency and monitoring tasks). In addition, the position may include knowledge exchange with society and, to a limited extent, the performance of other tasks.

The university determines the exact weighting of the various responsibilities. The weighting may vary over time, but a balance must be struck for the researcher to be able to improve his or her qualifications within the areas relevant to the position.

The position of associate professor/senior researcher is a full-time position, but employment on a part-time basis is possible. It is normally a permanent employment position, but it may also be fixed-term in exceptional cases.

Employment is contracted as either associate professor or senior researcher. The job content determines the job title. See the descriptions of associate professor (A) and senior researcher (B), respectively, below.

The position of associate professor/senior researcher may be filled by tenure-track assistant professors/researchers who have been assessed and found to be qualified for the level of associate professor/senior researcher or in connection with job advertisements in respect of which an academic assessment must also be carried out. Applicants are also assessed on the basis of the qualifications required in the job advertisement.

Employment as an associate professor/senior researcher requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor/researcher, but may also be obtained in other ways.

If, in exceptional cases, the university wishes to appoint an applicant who has research qualifications at the level of associate professor/senior researcher, but whose teaching is not assessed to be at a sufficiently adequate level, the university must draw up a programme plan to ensure that the applicant can obtain the required pedagogical-didactic competencies within a period of up to two years. The programme is concluded with an expert assessment of the employee’s pedagogical-didactic competencies. The competencies must correspond to the expected level of an applicant for an associate professor/senior researcher position, and the assessment must be initiated no later than four months before the end of the programme. The employee is informed of the initiation of the assessment. If the employee is assessed and found not to be academically qualified, the position is terminated subject to the notice set out in the collective agreement.

Associate professor

The associate professorship is a position where the main responsibilities are research (including publication/academic dissemination duties) and research-based teaching (with related examination duties). In addition to research and research-based teaching, the position may involve knowledge sharing with society – including participation in the public debate. In addition, associate professors may be responsible for research, study programme and course management, guidance and supervision as well as academic assessment work.

The university determines the exact weighting of the various responsibilities. The weighting of the responsibilities may vary over time.

The university may offer particularly talented associate professors/senior researchers a programme for promotion to professor. Particularly talented applicants responding to an open advertisement for an associate professor/senior researcher position may also be offered the programme upon employment. The specific content of the promotion programme is decided by the individual university.

The university is responsible for clearly stipulating and ensuring transparency about the criteria that will be emphasised in the academic assessment of associate professors/senior researchers prior to the transfer from the level of associate professor/senior researcher to the level of professor. The criteria may be divided into general expectations for, for example, research, research-based teaching, research-based public-sector consultancy, external funding, research/course management, supervision, and knowledge dissemination. The university is required to continuously follow up on the associate professor’s/senior researcher’s development in relation to the criteria set up.

The promotion programme may have a duration of up to eight years for the individual associate professor/senior researcher. The associate professor/senior researcher then transfers to employment as a professor. Such transfer requires that the employee is assessed and found to be academically qualified for employment at the level of professor.

At the latest, the academic assessment must take place within the last six months of the agreed duration of the promotion programme. Subject to agreement with the university, the assessment may be carried out at an earlier point in time. If the associate professor/senior researcher fails to request an assessment of his or her qualifications no later than six months before the end of the promotion programme, or if the associate professor/senior researcher is assessed and found not to be academically qualified, his or her employment as an associate professor/senior researcher will continue outside the promotion programme. However, the university may offer the associate professor/senior researcher an additional attempt at qualifying before the end of the specific promotion programme. A maximum of two academic assessments may be carried out.

Employment as professor is usually based on general agreement terms, with a salary level corresponding to public servant at pay grade 37 (or even pay grade 38). The salary then consists of a base salary level 8 and a pensionable supplement to level out the difference between level 8 and pay grade 37 (or 38), and perhaps a negotiable and pensionable supplement on top.

The position of professor is a full-time position, but employment on a part-time basis is possible.

The professorship is a position where the main responsibilities are research (including publication/academic dissemination duties) and research-based teaching (with related examination duties). The position may include research-based public-sector consultancy. It may also comprise knowledge sharing with society – including participation in the public debate. In addition, professors may be responsible for research, course and study programme management, guidance and supervision as well as academic assessment work.

A professorship normally takes the form of permanent employment, but may also be fixed-term in exceptional cases.

The university determines the exact weighting of the various responsibilities. The weighting of the various responsibilities may vary over time. Applicants for professorships are assessed on the basis of the qualifications required in the job advertisement.

Applicants must be able to document a high degree of original academic production at an international level and experience from teaching at different levels, tests/exams, course/study programme management as well as contributions to the development of teaching activities and teaching material, hereby documenting that the applicant has developed the academic discipline from a research and teaching perspective. Emphasis may moreover be placed on the applicant’s ability to carry out and develop research-based public-sector consultancy. Also, emphasis must be placed on an assessment of the applicant’s ability to perform research and teaching management tasks and possibly fulfil other functions, for example in relation to the university’s external cooperation.

Other, general positions

The position of research assistant is a fixed-term academic position. The main responsibilities are research and/or teaching. A small number of working hours may be devoted to academic development and the performance of other duties.

Employment is for a maximum period of three years. Re-employment after three years of employment is not possible. At the end of the period of employment, the position of research assistant is terminated without further notice.

Applicants must hold academic qualifications at master’s degree level.

The position of teaching assistant is a part-time position involving the independent performance of teaching duties, normally of an elementary nature, or instruction supplementing teaching provided at the level of assistant professor, associate professor or professor. Teaching assistants carry out teaching activities in the relevant subject as directed by the institution. Teaching assistants must have special permission to act as examiners.

The positions are filled for a period of up to three years. Re-employment is possible provided it is in compliance with the Fixed-Term Employment Act. The specific number of working hours etc. is decided for each semester within the agreed framework.

The universities may appoint a limited number of teaching assistant professors and teaching associate professors. The positions involve teaching and similar tasks. The positions may also involve academic development tasks.

The job categories teaching assistant professor and teaching associate professor may be used in connection with the teaching of ancillary subjects, practice-based subjects or foundation courses where the academic content is not based on new research.

Applicants must hold academic qualifications at master’s degree level. Applicants are also assessed on the basis of the qualifications required in the job advertisement. Based on their qualifications, candidates are employed either as teaching assistant professors or teaching associate professors.

Teaching assistant professor

The position of teaching assistant professor is an educational position. The employment may be either full-time or part-time.

Teaching assistant professors must complete a university pedagogical programme.

The period of employment for a teaching assistant professor must be of a duration which allows the employee to acquire the qualifications necessary to teach at the level of teaching associate professor. No later than six months before the end of the sixth year of employment, a written assessment must be provided of the teaching assistant professor’s qualifications for the purpose of evaluating whether the teaching assistant professor has acquired the qualifications necessary to teach at the level of teaching associate professor. This evaluation includes the teaching assistant professor’s completion of a university pedagogical programme. The teaching assistant professor must be informed of the result of the evaluation no later than three months before the end of his or her sixth year of employment. If, in this evaluation, the employee is found not to be academically qualified, his or her employment may be prolonged for an additional period of up to two years. In such case, the employee may request that a new evaluation be carried out no later than six months before the end of this period. If the employee is evaluated and found not to be academically qualified, the teaching assistant professor leaves his or her position without further notice at the end of the period.

Teaching associate professor

The position of teaching associate professor normally takes the form of permanent employment, but may also be fixed-term. The positions may be either full-time or part-time.

Employment is contracted either through qualification as a teaching associate professor following a period of employment as a teaching assistant professor or following advertisement. Employment for the position of teaching associate professor always requires that the applicant has been assessed and found to be qualified to teach at this level.

In addition to teaching duties and any academic development tasks, the position of teaching associate professor may include supervision and guidance of teaching assistant professors.

The position of part-time lecturer is a part-time position with the main emphasis on teaching. The purpose of a part-time lectureship is to enable the employment of lecturers with relevant practical experience or specific qualifications at a high level. Part-time lecturers must independently plan and teach courses as instructed by the university, such as lecturing, conducting exams and other evaluations. Applicants must hold academic qualifications at master’s degree level. Employment as a part-time lecturer requires either: – relevant practical experience at a high level which has not been gained through academic employment with a university, or – employment in an academic principal position with another university. Teaching qualifications are included in the assessment of applicants for a part-time lectureship. A part-time lecturer who is employed on the merits of his or her relevant practical experience must possess in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of the possible applications of the subject/academic discipline. This knowledge is/has been acquired through employment within the subject/academic discipline. Both permanent and fixed-term employment is possible. The specific number of working hours and any involvement in exams etc. are decided for each semester within the agreed framework. Per hour of classroom instruction 2,5 hours are awarded as preparation. Salary is non-pensionable.

Since May 1st 2012 negotiations on both permanent as well as temporary supplements have been an option for part-time lecturers. Supplements may be negotiated both at appointment and at least every three years.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

The position of postdoc is a fixed-term academic position. The position may be filled for a period of up to four years at the same university.

The position of postdoc is normally a full-time position, but employment on a part-time basis is also possible.

The position will be heavily weighted in favour of research. In addition, there will be a certain amount of teaching activities. The performance of other duties may be required to a limited extent.

The university determines the exact weighting of the various responsibilities. The weighting of the various responsibilities may vary over time.

The main responsibilities of a senior advisor lie within research-based public-sector consultancy and the dissemination of research findings to public authorities, the business community and society at large. In addition, the senior advisor is obliged to keep up to date within a wide academic field and perform analyses of broad academic issues as well as disseminating these in an academically responsible manner. The position may also include teaching and research.

Applicants for positions as senior advisors are assessed on the basis of the qualifications required in the job advertisement. Employment as a senior advisor requires research qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor/researcher, but may also be obtained in other ways. Upon employment, other qualification requirements may also be imposed, for example that the applicant must have independently undertaken significant advisory and dissemination tasks vis-à-vis public authorities, the business community or society at large.

Other, general positions that can be used within limited areas

As concerns these positions, reference is made to the Ministry of Finance’s circular with associated memorandum from the Ministry of Education on the BSc in engineering and BSc in export engineering courses.

The position of instructor in social theory and methodology is normally a permanent full-time position. The positions involve teaching and similar tasks within the objects of the institution. Applicants must hold academic qualifications in the form of a degree in social work.

Managerial positions

For the service as Head of studies a supplement for special duties is awarded. The supplement is subject to local negotiations. If nothing better is agreed upon, a supplement is awarded according to this scheme:

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PhD, Postdoc, and Professor Salaries in Denmark in 2024

In Denmark, academic salaries are determined through agreements between academic unions and the government. The Collective Agreement for Academics in the State sets the base salary levels for various academic roles. In addition to the base salary, employees receive two types of supplements: a position-based supplement (stipulated by the collective agreement) and a qualification-based supplement (determined by the university). Professors’ salaries operate under a separate wage scale, but they also receive these supplements. Salaries in this article are pre-tax, with typical Danish tax rates ranging from 40-50%.

PhD fellows in Denmark are regarded as employees rather than students, and most PhD programs are fully funded. Typically, students start a PhD after obtaining a Master’s degree. In Denmark, PhD fellows begin their research immediately and are often expected to teach during their studies. PhDs generally take three years to complete.

In 2024, the monthly salary for PhD fellows ranges from 28,900 to 35,000 DKK depending on seniority​ ( Fastepo ) ​( Aarhus University ).

Postdoctoral researchers continue their training by specializing in their research field, often staying at the same institution for up to four years. In some cases, they may also take on teaching responsibilities. Postdoc salaries are determined by seniority and experience.

For 2024, the monthly salary for a postdoc ranges between 29,520 and 47,695 DKK depending on the institution​ ( University of Copenhagen ) ​( DM ).

Adjunkt (Assistant Professor)

An adjunkt is the equivalent of an assistant professor. This position can either be a fixed-term contract (up to four years) or tenure-track. The role involves conducting research, teaching, and improving pedagogical skills under the supervision of a senior professor. Performance is evaluated after a tenure track period, with a promotion to lektor (associate professor) if successful.

As of 2024, the monthly salary for an assistant professor ranges from 35,264 to 48,436 DKK ​ ( DM ) ​( Aarhus University ).

Lektor (Associate Professor)

A lektor is a permanent position equivalent to an associate professor. A lektor has similar responsibilities as an assistant professor but with more focus on research supervision and mentoring younger academics. This is typically a tenured position, although promotion to professor is not guaranteed.

In 2024, the salary for associate professors ranges from 43,049 to 56,592 DKK per month depending on seniority​ ( DM ) ​( University of Copenhagen ).

Professor med særlige opgaver (Professor with Special Responsibilities)

This role gives younger, promising researchers the opportunity to establish themselves internationally while developing a new area of research. The position is typically fixed-term (three to five years, extendable to eight) and focuses on teaching, research, and innovation.

The salary for professors with special responsibilities in 2024 is 56,594 to 64,551 DKK per month​ ( DM ) ​( University of Copenhagen ).

A full professor is typically a senior academic with a substantial record of research and teaching excellence. Professors are expected to contribute to leadership in their department and play a significant role in research management. This is a permanent position.

As of 2024, professors earn between 56,594 and 80,465 DKK per month, depending on their seniority and responsibilities​ ( DM ) ​( University of Copenhagen ).

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