The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of associate professor of sound studies based at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies and the Department of Dramaturgy and Musicology.
The appointment is full time and tenured and begins on 01 January 2023 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 aim of this position is to strengthen practice-based research and teaching on sound as an interdisciplinary field of study in relation to human perception and the cultural and aesthetic aspects of sound and sound environments. The school also wishes to strengthen sound studies research and teaching across different degree programmes, for instance in digital design (audio design track) and musicology, and with external partners through collaborative projects, outside-world activities and knowledge dissemination.
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 contributing to Aarhus University’s core activities in the areas of research, teaching and supervision, talent development and knowledge exchange.
Research
We are looking for applicants with an international research profile in sound studies and a strong theoretical foundation for doing practice-oriented research. The successful applicant is expected to participate in the further development of research in sound studies at the School of Communication and Culture and in conjunction with the Center for Sound Studies.
The successful applicant will be expected to emphasise practice-oriented methodologies of research through sound design and sound art practices such as sound works, installations and interventions, as well as developing a field of research that engages with society in the context of, for example, healthcare, urban and domestic sound environments and atmosphere design.
The successful applicant will be expected to publish original peer-reviewed research internationally as well as making scholarly contributions to developments within the field. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to research initiatives in relation to both the field of sound studies and the research community at the departments involved in terms of new collaborative research projects with internal and external partners, and in connection with external research funding.
Teaching and supervision
We are looking for applicants with teaching and supervision experience in the field of sound studies 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 in the field of sound studies on the department’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. Applicants are requested to indicate the courses in the study programmes of the MA in digital design (audio design track) and the BA and MA in musicology that they are capable of teaching, and to propose titles for elective courses related to their research. The successful applicant must also expect to teach courses in other areas of digital design or musicology than those relating to sound studies, and to apply innovative teaching methods.
The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of curricula and the degree programme(s) within the field of sound studies, digital design and musicology, and in this connection experience of degree programme and curriculum development at universities or similar institutions will be an advantage.
Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as Danish.
Talent development
We are looking for applicants who have experience of 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 recruiting and supervising PhD students and participating 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, 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 be expected to work with formats for knowledge exchange that may include participation in public debates, public installations and/or performances.
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 a relevant field related to sound studies as well as teaching and research 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 sound studies
- experience of practice-based research through sound design and sound art practices
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- experience of knowledge exchange and collaboration with external partners
- teaching and supervision competences and experience at BA and MA level, including curriculum development documented in a teaching portfolio
- completion of a teacher-training programme 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 institutions
- experience of applying for external research funding
Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next two – three years, as well as stating how they see themselves and the department contributing to future research developments within the field.
The application, including plans for research and visions for the future of the field, should be no longer than five pages.
Please note that applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum eight) 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 tasks 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 the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
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 Morten Breinbjerg, Head of the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, by tel.: +4587161997 or by email: mbrein@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.
Formalities
Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).
- Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
- Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
The application must outline the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and no more than eight examples of academic production (mandatory). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.
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
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners: http://ias.au.dk/au-relocation-service/. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here: http://international.au.dk/research/
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, 275 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 and the Danish School of Education. 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 https://international.au.dk/
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/