If you come to Oldenburg not as a scholarship/fellowship holder but as an employee, you must sign your employment contract prior to starting work. Oldenburg University's Division 1: Personnel and Organisation will inform you about the forms and documents you need to complete and submit.

In Germany, many professors are civil servants (Beamte) and appointed to their positions (in German: Berufung). Salaries for civil servants are stipulated in the Federal Civil Servants' Remuneration Act (Bundesbesoldungsgesetz) and by regulations issued by the federal state in which you work. The pay regulation "W" (Wissenschaft) applies to professors, whereas academic and administrative staff are paid according to the "TV-L", the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the federal states (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder). The collective bargaining agreement inlcudes several pay groups (Entgeltgruppen) and pay grades (Entgeltstufen) that are based on the level of education and professional qualifications required for the respective position and job, as well as on the years of employment in that position.

Division 1: Personnel and Organisation

Information on the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) and on the pay groups and pay grades can be found at:

• www.academics.com
• www.oeffentlicher-dienst.info
• German Association of University Professors and Lecturers