Information for International Researchers
A Very Warm Welcome to FH Aachen!
We are delighted that you are interested in working at FH Aachen or have already accepted a position.
On this page, you will find an overview of the key steps to take before and after you start your role. It provides information on the recruitment process, the documents required, organisational formalities and the onboarding process.
Application
You can find current job vacancies on the FH Aachen careers page.
The vacancies are advertised by the relevant organisational unit, such as a faculty, an Institute, a central department or the University Administration. Please submit your application in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement.
Recognition Of Foreign University Degrees
If you obtained your university degree outside Germany, it may be necessary to assess whether it is equivalent to a German university degree.
The Human Resources Division will advise you on which documents are required for this.
Documents that are not in German or English may need to be translated by authorised or generally sworn translators. You can find suitable translators via the Judicial Interpreters’ and Translators’ Register or the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators.
Required Documents
The Human Resources Division requires various documents to prepare your employment contract.
These usually include:
- a valid passport or identity card
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate, if applicable
- birth certificates for your children, if applicable
- University degree certificates
- Proof of health insurance
- Certificate of good conduct. This can be applied for at the relevant Residents’ Registration Office or Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
- Residence permit, if applicable
Please submit all the requested documents in full and by the deadline. Original documents may be requested for inspection if necessary.
Tip: The free brochure ‘Welcome to Germany – Arrive safely, feel secure’ from Techniker Krankenkasse contains helpful information on living and working in Germany.
Organisational Formalities
Before or shortly after your arrival in Germany, further administrative steps may be required.
These include, for example:
- Registering your place of residence with the Residents’ Registration Office or Citizens’ Advice Bureau: If you are resident in the city of Aachen, the Aachen Residents’ Registration Office is responsible for you; if you are resident in Jülich, it is the Jülich Citizens’ Advice Bureau. If you live in another municipality within the Aachen City Region, please contact the Citizens’ Office or Residents’ Registration Office in your respective municipality of residence.
- Applying for a tax identification number
- Taking out or providing proof of health insurance valid in Germany
- Opening a German or European bank account
- Applying for a residence permit, if required
Additional Internal Audits
Additional internal checks may be required as part of the recruitment process. This applies in particular to requirements under foreign trade law and export control regulations.
When employing individuals from countries outside the EU or the EEA, it must be checked whether foreign trade law requirements need to be observed. The specific checks required depend, in particular, on the intended role and the relevant field of work or research. These checks may take additional processing time and should therefore be taken into account during the recruitment process.
The assessment is carried out by the relevant Division III. If you have any questions, please contact zollfh-aachen.de.
Your Role at FH Aachen
Once all the requirements have been met and the necessary documents have been provided in full, your employment documents can be drawn up.
In addition to your employment contract, you will receive:
- a written statement setting out the key terms and conditions of employment, including, amongst other things, your place of work and working hours,
- a job description setting out the duties and responsibilities of your post.
These documents form part of your recruitment process. You must sign the contract and employment documents. Signing usually takes place in person at the Human Resources Department. Alternatively, the documents may be sent to you by post where appropriate.
Your salary will be paid via the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for Pay and Pensions (LBV NRW). You will receive your payslips from the LBV by post.
Once You Have Started Working
Once you have started work, there are various stages of the onboarding process.
Depending on your area of work, these may include, amongst other things:
- An introduction to your work by your supervisor
- necessary training and obligations
- Setting up your FH account and activating IT services as part of the Data Processing Centre’s (DVZ) welcome process
- Issue of your staff ID card (where applicable)
- An introduction to the processes within your faculty or organisational unit
During your induction, your line managers and the relevant support services at FH Aachen will be on hand to assist you.
‘Fair Integration’ Advisory Service
If you are a national of a country inside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are entitled to free, confidential and multilingual advice through the nationwide ‘Faire Integration’ advice service. Employers are legally obliged to inform third-country nationals about this advisory service.
The advice service provides support on matters including:
- Employment contracts
- Pay and the minimum wage
- Working hours, holiday entitlement and sick leave
- Termination of employment
- Social security
- Rights and obligations of employees and employers.
As part of your recruitment process, you will be given the contact details of your nearest advice centre. You can also find a list of all advice centres on the Faire Integration website.
Contact
If you have any questions before or after your arrival, we’ll be happy to help:
- Division of Human Resources – for enquiries regarding your recruitment and employment
- Department of International Affairs – for specific enquiries about scholarships
We look forward to welcoming you to FH Aachen and wish you every success as you get started!