Postdoctoral position in Child–Computer Interaction

The Centre for Computational Thinking and Design at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Child–Computer Interaction. The postdoctoral position is affiliated with the research project ‘Ultra:Bit’, funded by the Villum Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The postdoctoral position is a full-time, 2-year, fixed-term position. It begins 1 June 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.

Project

The Ultra:bit project is a collaboration among DR, Centers for Teaching Aids - Denmark, the Centre for Computational Thinking and Design at Aarhus University, and the LIFE Foundation. The project aims to strengthen children’s technological understanding and digital literacy, enabling them to critically engage with the digital technologies that permeate many aspects of children’s everyday lives.

Postdoctoral position

The successful applicant will conduct independent and collaborative research within the Ultra:bit project, with a particular focus on Child–Computer interaction, AI literacy, and computational empowerment.
The main tasks will consist of

conducting research on participatory approaches to the design and study of AI literacy and technology comprehension tools for children
investigating children’s understandings and conceptualisations of computational and AI-based systems
designing and empirically studying learning activities and educational technologies in collaboration with project partners
contributing to project activities, including Ultra:bit box hackathons and related design events
publishing research results in leading international venues and contributing to the project’s overall research agenda

Teaching and supervision

As a postdoctoral researcher, your position is primarily research-based, but it will also involve a small degree of teaching and supervision. To that end, the successful applicant will be expected to participate in the department’s teaching and supervision activities and to teach and supervise at the BA and MA levels, as determined by the head of the department.
Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in English as well as Danish.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualifications in a relevant field, such as Child–Computer Interaction, Human–Computer Interaction, Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, Computer Science, or related areas.

Applicants must be able to document relevant to the position:

an internationally oriented research profile in Child–Computer Interaction, computational thinking, AI literacy, or related areas, documented through a PhD dissertation and/or research publications
experience with the independent planning and execution of research projects
excellent communication and collaboration skills, enabling productive work within interdisciplinary research teams and with external organisations and institutions

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

a strong publication record in international venues related to children and computing and/or artificial intelligence
experience with software development or prototyping
experience participating in national and international research networks
time spent abroad at one or more internationally recognised research institutions

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research proposal outlining research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the Ultra:bit project (maximum three pages).
Please note that although the application process can be completed on the Aarhus University system without uploading publications, applications that do not include uploaded publications (a maximum of two) will not be considered.

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

Work environment

Active participation in the department’s daily life is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of good working relationships among colleagues and with our students. To maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to maintain a regular and active presence at 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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

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.

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 and the Centre for Computational Thinking and Design’s websites.

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 Professor Ole Sejer Iversen by email: oiversen@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

The Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

Appointments 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 examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than two examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

Aarhus University also offers a junior researcher development programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. The 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 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8.700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

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