Associate Professor of Digital Media Industries

The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of associate professor of digital media industries based at the Department of Media and Journalism Studies.

The appointment is full time and tenured and begins on 1 January 2025 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 positionThe field of media and journalism studies is currently 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 to train qualified media and journalism studies students for a rapidly changing job market and to produce high quality research that helps society make sense of contemporary media landscapes. The Department of Media and Journalism Studies at Aarhus University is taking an international lead in developing research and study programmes based on the premise that the ability to understand fully the implications of digitalisation in media production and distribution necessitates the adaptation and integration of new modes of enquiry into both research and teaching.

Against this background, we are looking for an applicant who can demonstrate research, teaching interests and experience, and competences in analysing digital media industries in economic and cultural-political contexts within one or more of the following areas:

  • media industries and media systems analysis
  • new and legacy media companies in the digital era
  • media economy, ownership and business models
  • international streaming services, AI, and media use
  • national and transnational policy and regulation of the media and digital intermediaries
  • development of theoretical approaches and research methods in media industries 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.

ResearchThe 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 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, textual and aesthetic forms of expression, production circumstances, media use, media history and media theory.

The successful applicant will be expected to

  • play a leading role in developing research in the field of digital media industry and production studies at the department
  • contribute to research initiatives in relation to both the field of digital media industry studies, production studies and the research community at the department in terms of new collaborative research projects with internal and external partners and in connection with external research funding
  • publish original peer-reviewed research internationally as well as making scholarly contributions to developments within the field.


Teaching and supervision
We are looking for applicants with teaching and supervision experience in the field of digital media industries at university level. 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 and Master’s programmes, particularly on the degree programmes in Media Studies and Journalism. The applicant is expected to 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:

The successful applicant will also be expected to apply innovative teaching methods. Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as Danish.

We are looking for applicants with teaching and supervision experience in the field of media studies and journalism at university level; experience of degree programme and curriculum development at universities or similar institutions will be an advantage.

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 and journalism.

Talent developmentWe 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 will furthermore be expected to supervise and help develop the careers of early-career researchers as well as to recruit and supervise PhD students and participate in the development and implementation of PhD courses within the field.

Knowledge exchangeIt 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 relevant collaborative initiatives with partners inside and outside Aarhus University.

QualificationsApplicants for the position of associate professor must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to digital media industries studies. They must also have research and teaching experience commensurate with 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 within digital media industries studies
  • 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

  • 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, including their plans for publication, funding applications and collaborations with external partners. 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 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 eight) 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. To maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to be present at the department daily.

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 sufficient to handle tasks that include 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 include, but are not limited to, teaching and examining students, reading work-related texts, and participating in meetings and collegial gatherings in Danish.

The departmentThe place of employment is the Department of Media and Journalism Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

About Media and Journalism Studies at AUGrounded 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:

Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.

School of Communication and CultureThe 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.

ContactFor further information about the position, please contact Anne Marit Risum 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 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.

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.

Deadline: 02 August 2024