Aarhus University
The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of associate professor of digital media history based at the Department of Media and Journalism Studies. The associate professorship is full-time and tenured. The appointment begins on 1 February 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.
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 field of media and journalism studies is undergoing significant changes not least due to the increasing digitalisation of culture and society that has radically transformed the basic conditions under which mediated content is produced, distributed, used and experienced. These new conditions call for critical and innovative ways of training qualified students in media and journalism studies for a rapidly changing job market and of producing high quality research that helps society make sense of contemporary media landscapes. The Department of Media and Journalism Studies is taking an international lead in developing research and study programmes based on the premise that the ability to fully understand the implications of digital technologies within various media necessitates the adaptation and integration of digital modes of enquiry into both research and teaching.
Against this background, we are looking for an applicant with an ability to combine theoretical issues and methodological development within digital media history and digital humanities. Applicants should be able to demonstrate research and teaching interests and experience in two or more of the following areas:
* Digitally supported research methods of relevance to media studies, digital media collections and media history
* Digital humanities in relation to media studies
* Media history with a focus on digital media history and history of digital media
* Data management, data protection and privacy of specific relevance to media studies
In sum, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated applicant who will enhance 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 Media and Journalism Studies at Aarhus University has a pronounced and significant international profile and a strong research network. Research and teaching at the department are directed towards Danish and international media with an emphasis on the interplay of the core fields of study: media institutions, media production, media texts and media use/reception, and the role of media in culture and society.
The research at the department applies a wide array of theoretical and methodological perspectives to these fields of study, incorporating institutional, organisational, sociological and political perspectives as well as textual and aesthetic forms of expression, production circumstances, media use, media history and media theory.
The successful applicant will demonstrate specialisation in studies of digital media history. Preference will be given to applicants whose work foregrounds theoretical and methodological reflections on and the practical use of digital media collections and digitally supported research methods of relevance to media studies and media history, including knowledge about digital research infrastructures and research data management. The applicant’s research must meet high international standards.
The successful applicant is expected to
- participate actively in the dissemination of digital methods at the department
- make scholarly contributions to developments within the field and initiate new collaborative research projects with internal and external partners as well as in connection with external research funding
- publish original peer-reviewed research internationally.
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, Master’s and PhD degree programmes, particularly on the degree programmes in media studies and journalism. In this connection, experience of degree programme and curriculum development at universities or similar institutions will be an advantage. Furthermore, the successful applicant is expected to initiate the upskilling of the department’s staff’s digital methods competences.
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to teach at least two different courses within the areas of media studies and journalism from among the degree programmes listed below; please indicate in your application which courses you could teach:
* BA in Media Studies
* MA in Media Studies
* MA in Journalism
* MA Erasmus Mundus in Journalism, Media and Globalisation
* BA Supplementary in Film and Media
* BA Supplementary in Journalistic Communication
The successful applicant will be expected to apply innovative teaching methods and to contribute to the ongoing development of curricula and the degree programme(s) within the field of media studies an journalism. Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as in Danish.
Talent development
We are looking for applicants who have experience supervising students at both BA and MA levels. The successful applicant will be expected to supervise students at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. The successful applicant for the position of associate professor will also be expected to supervise and help develop the careers of early-career researchers as well as recruit and supervise PhD students and participate in the development and implementation of PhD courses within the field.
Knowledge exchange
It is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange, such as 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 relevant collaborative initiatives with partners inside and outside Aarhus University.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in media studies, preferably highlighting media history. They must also have teaching and research experience equivalent to that attained through an assistant professorship. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:
* an internationally oriented research profile as documented by a strong international peer-reviewed research publication record in digital media history
* experience of participation in international research projects and/or national and international research networks
* teaching and supervision competences and experience at BA and MA level, including curriculum development
* experience of knowledge exchange
* completion of a teacher-training programme for assistant professors especially designed for university teaching, or an equivalent qualification.
Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document
* experience of managing digital research infrastructures and the practical use of digital media collection
* time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institution
* experience of applying for external research funding.
Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next three years and state how they see themselves and the department contributing to future research developments within the field. The length of the application, including plans for research and visions for the future of the field, should be between four and six pages.
Please note that applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum eight) will not be considered.
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. See Family and work-life balance for further information.
International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to see Attractive working conditions for further information about the 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 career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.
If the successful applicant does not speak Danish, he or she will be required to acquire sufficient Danish to participate fully in the activities of the School of Communication and Culture within approximately three years of commencing the appointment.
About Media and Journalism Studies
Grounded in its historical blending of research traditions within the humanities and social sciences, the department carries out research and teaching which examines media and journalistic institutions, productions, texts, use/reception and the roles of media and journalism in culture and society in current and historical perspectives. The
Department of Media and Journalism Studies at Aarhus University is one of nine departments that make up the School of Communication and Culture in the Faculty of Arts. The research environment is characterised by extensive participation in cross-institutional national and international research projects, well-established national and international research networks as well as international conferences. In the QS World University Ranking system, communication and media studies at Aarhus University has consistently ranked in the top 50 since 2012 and is currently ranked 42 in the world. The researchers at the department are engaged in the following AU-based research programmes and research centres:
0. Centre for University Studies in Journalism
1. DATALAB – Centre for Digital Social Research
2. Centre for Internet Studies
3. Centre for Media Industries and Production Studies
4. Centre for Transnational Media Research
5. Centre for Sound Studies
6. Center for Kulturevaluering (CKE)
7. Centre for Humanistic Computing
8. DIGHUMLAB
9. Cultural Transformations
10. Media, Communication and Society
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 programmes, departments, and diverse activities on its website .
Contact
For further information about the position, please contact Anne Marit Waade, Head of Department of Media and Journalism Studies, by tel.: +45 8716 2009 or by e-mail: amwaade@cc.au.dk .
If you need help uploading your application, or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please e-mail HR supporter Mads Brask Andersen: mban@au.dk .