Assistant Professor of Culture and Media

The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of assistant professor of culture and media based at the Department of Scandinavian Studies and Experience Economy.

The assistant professorship is a full-time, three-year, fixed-term position that begins on 1 January 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. Subject to appropriate funding, there will be an opportunity to apply for a subsequent associate professorship.

The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.

The position

The assistant professorship is affiliated with the Department of Scandinavian Studies and Experience Economy, specifically the section of the department responsible for research and teaching in media and cultural studies.

We are looking for an applicant who has research experience in the field of media and cultural studies with a particular focus on a globalised Scandinavian context. Previous research should demonstrate the ability to combine an aesthetic and theoretically informed close analysis of various media expressions and texts with a contextually sensitive analysis of cultural conditions and/or transformations. Ideally, the applicant will also be able to link, and to some extent work across, the various dimensions that constitute Scandinavian studies as a field and contribute to the methodological strengthening of the discipline as such.

In sum, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated applicant who will strengthen the research and teaching profiles of the department nationally and internationally as well as contribute to Aarhus University’s core activities in the areas of research, teaching and supervision, talent development and knowledge exchange.

Research

The Department of Scandinavian Studies and Experience Economy at Aarhus University has a pronounced and significant international profile and a robust research network.

The successful applicant must be able to contribute to and expand the department’s current research profile in the culture and media section, which consists of various approaches to cultural studies and the study of media culture and media aesthetics.

We are looking for an applicant who can conduct research that combines aesthetic and theoretically informed close analysis of various media expressions and texts with a contextually sensitive analysis of cultural conditions and/or transformations. Furthermore, we expect the applicant to be able to play an active role in creating new collective and cross-cutting research projects at the department and thus to help develop and sustain a collaborative research environment.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute actively and constructively to the school’s research environments, to participate in international research networks and to develop research projects with internal and external partners that result in academic publications, as well as to participate in applications for external research funding.

Teaching and supervision

The successful applicant will be expected to take part in the department’s teaching and supervision activities and to teach and supervise on the department’s Bachelor’s (in Danish) and Master’s (in Danish) degree programmes, particularly on the degree programme in Scandinavian Language and Literature in topics involving culture and media and on the  Bachelor’s Supplementary Subject in Event Culture. Please indicate in your application which courses you could teach. The successful applicant may be asked to teach courses at other departments within the School of Communication and Culture that are relevant to this position. The successful applicant will also be expected to apply innovative teaching methods.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop supervision capabilities at both BA and MA levels.

Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as Danish.

The person appointed to the post of assistant professor must complete Aarhus University’s teacher-training programme for assistant professors, which is designed for university teaching.

Knowledge exchange

It is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange, for instance in terms of research collaboration with private companies, government consultancy, collaboration with civil society, and the public dissemination of knowledge.

The successful applicant will have excellent opportunities to engage in collaborative initiatives with partners inside and outside Aarhus University.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to culture and media studies in a globalised Scandinavian context as well as teaching and research experience equivalent to that attained through a PhD degree. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:

  • an internationally oriented research profile within culture and media in a globalised Scandinavian context as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications
  • relevant teaching experience at university level, including innovative teaching methods documented in a teaching portfolio.

Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document

  • a track record of research publications of a high international standard, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
  • an outstanding and innovative doctoral dissertation or equal publications in an area related to and relevant to the position
  • experience of participation in national and international research applications and networks
  • time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next three years as well as their strategy/vision for their contribution to future developments within the field.

Please note that although the application process can be completed on the Aarhus University system without uploading publications or a teaching portfolio, applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) as well as a teaching portfolio (or equivalent documentation of teaching experience and qualifications) will not be considered.

Although the Aarhus University application system includes an option to upload letters of recommendation, please do not include letters of recommendation or references with the application. Applicants who are invited to an interview may be asked to provide references.

Work environment

Active participation in the daily life of the department is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of good working relationships, both among colleagues and with our students. In order to maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to be present at the department on a daily basis.

We respect the balance between work and private life and strive to create a work environment in which that balance can be maintained. You can read more about family and work-life balance in Denmark.

International applicants

International applicants are encouraged to read about the attractive working conditions and other benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a wide variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and an AU Expat Partner Programme. You can also find information about the taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.

An appointee who does not speak Danish will be required to acquire proficiency in Danish equivalent to level B2 (CEFR) in order to handle tasks, including administrative and managerial responsibilities and to participate fully in the activities of the School of Communication and Culture within approximately three years of commencing the appointment. These activities include, but are not limited to, teaching and examining students, reading work-related texts and participating in meetings and collegial gatherings in Danish.

The department

The place of employment is Jens Chr. Skous Vej 2, 8000 Aarhus C.
Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.

School of Communication and Culture

The school is a part of the Faculty of Arts. You will find information about the school and its research programmesdepartments, and diverse activities on its website.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Pernille Hermann, head of department, by telephone +45 87163142 or via email: norph@cc.au.dk.

If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by email: hsi@au.dk.

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners: Relocation Services for Professors and Postdocs at Aarhus University (au.dk). Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here: http://international.au.dk/research/.

Formalities

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting


Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University’s research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 240 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society, the Danish School of Education, and the Centre for Teaching Development and Digital Media. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty’s academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.