Associate Professor of Foreign-Language Education (French, German or Spanish)

The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of Associate Professor of Foreign-Language Education, based at the Department of German and Romance Languages.

The associate professorship is a full-time, permanent position, beginning on 1 October 2026 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 Department of German and Romance Languages has a strong international research and teaching profile in the study of language, culture and communication. We are seeking an innovative and dedicated scholar who can contribute to the department’s research and teaching in foreign-language education, with expertise in one or more of the languages taught at the department (French, German or Spanish).

The successful applicant will strengthen the department’s focus on foreign-language teaching and learning at upper-secondary and university levels, with particular attention to language pedagogy, curriculum development and teacher education.

Applicants must have native or near-native proficiency in at least one of the major foreign languages taught at the department (French, German or Spanish) and be able to teach courses in that language, as well as in English, on the department’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.

In sum, we are seeking an engaged colleague who will strengthen and further develop the research and teaching profiles of the department nationally and internationally, with a clear focus on second-language acquisition and language pedagogy, and who will contribute to Aarhus University’s core activities in the areas of research, teaching and supervision, talent development and knowledge exchange.

Research

The Department of German and Romance Languages at Aarhus University has a strong international profile and a robust research network.

The successful applicant is expected to pursue research that explores the theory and practice of second- and foreign-language learning and teaching, including, but not limited to:

• second-language acquisition and pedagogy/didactics
• language teacher education and professional development
• curriculum design and assessment in foreign-language education
• the role of grammar, translation, intercultural communication and sociolinguistics in language learning
• digital and technological innovation in foreign-language teaching and learning.

Research that combines empirical, theoretical and applied approaches to foreign-language education, or that integrates cross-linguistic or interdisciplinary perspectives, will be particularly welcome.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop research projects that result in peer-reviewed publications, participate actively in the department’s research community and in collaborative research with internal and external partners, and contribute to applications for external research funding.

Teaching and supervision

The position includes research-based teaching and supervision across all levels of degree programmes in foreign-language education, applied linguistics and language pedagogy/didactics. The successful applicant will contribute to courses at both bachelor’s and master’s levels, covering elements such as:
 

• theories and methods in foreign-language teaching
• applied linguistics and grammar in language education
• intercultural communication and language learning
• language learning and teaching in digital environments.

The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to curriculum development, employ innovative, student-centred teaching methods and participate in interdisciplinary degree programmes that connect language, culture and communication.

The position includes supervision at bachelor’s and master’s levels, and the successful applicant will be expected to develop supervisory competences and to contribute to talent development within the department. The successful applicant may also be asked to teach academically relevant courses at other departments within the school.

Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as in one or more of the target languages: French, German and Spanish.

Knowledge exchange

The successful applicant will be expected to engage in knowledge exchange and collaboration with educational institutions, public organisations and other societal partners in areas related to language learning and teaching. This includes contributions to the public dissemination of knowledge, professional development for teachers and dialogue with educational stakeholders.

The successful applicant will have excellent opportunities to collaborate with partners both inside and outside Aarhus University.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or be able to document equivalent academic qualifications in a relevant field within foreign-language education, applied linguistics or language pedagogy and must demonstrate research and teaching experience commensurate with the level of associate professor.

Applicants must provide documentation of the following, as relevant to the position:

• an internationally oriented research profile in foreign-language education or related areas, documented through a PhD dissertation and/or research publications of a high academic standard, commensurate with career stage
• relevant university-level teaching experience, documented through a teaching portfolio demonstrating innovative and effective pedagogy
• native or near-native proficiency in at least one of the major foreign languages taught at the department (French, German or Spanish)
• the ability to teach in one or more of the following languages: French, German or Spanish, as well as in English.

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

• experience of research collaboration and the preparation of funding applications
• experience of knowledge exchange and collaboration with external stakeholders
• participation in national and international research networks
• participation in international research conferences
• time spent abroad working or studying at one or more internationally recognised research institutions
• experience of teacher education, curriculum development or educational innovation
• the ability to integrate digital tools and language technologies into teaching and research
• proficiency in Danish or another Scandinavian language, or a willingness to acquire Danish within two years of appointment.

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next three years, outlining their contribution to future developments within the field, including plans for publications, funding applications and collaborations with external partners.

Please note that although the application process can be completed in the Aarhus University system without uploading publications or a teaching portfolio, applications that do not include uploaded publications (a maximum of five) and 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, applicants are asked not to 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 at the department is a high priority, and we emphasise strong working relationships among colleagues and with our students. To contribute to and support the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to maintain a consistent and engaged presence within the department.

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 Danish-language proficiency sufficient to manage tasks, including administrative and managerial responsibilities, and to participate fully in the activities of the School of Communication and Culture within approximately two years of commencing the appointment. These include, but are not limited to, reading work-related texts and taking part in meetings and collegial gatherings in Danish.

The department

The place of employment is the Department of German and Romance Languages, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The Department of German and Romance Languages currently employs more than thirty full-time academic staff, PhD students and several part-time lecturers from various countries. Research at the department covers international business communication, corporate communication, specialised and literary translation, lexicography, literature, linguistics, social/historical/cultural studies, intercultural studies and language pedagogy. The department offers three main types of degree programmes in French, German and Spanish: international business communication; language, literature and culture; and intercultural studies.

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

School of Communication and Culture

The school is 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 Henrik Høeg Müller, head of the Department of German and Romance Languages, by tel.: +45 25 39 70 49 or by email: henhm@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, a research plan, copies of degree certificates and no more than five 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

About Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of Northern Europe’s most significant faculties for research and higher education in the humanities, theology and education. Within this broad academic scope, the faculty comprises approximately 700 researchers, 200 PhD students, 9,000 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students, and 1,500 further and continuing education students. We believe that the best ideas arise when different perspectives meet – and that research, teaching and innovation are best developed in dialogue with the surrounding society.

You can find more information here: Faculty of Arts | Aarhus University

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 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/