The School of Communication and Culture invites applications for the post of research assistant within the field of Digital and Green Transformation at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies.

The term of appointment is 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027.
The position is tied to

• the CRAFT-IT4SD project with an expected workload of 28 hours a week until 31 December 2026
• the SPIN-IN project with an expected workload of 5 hours a week until 30 June 2027.  

 
The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.

Aarhus University, the Centre for Digital and Green Transformation in Cities and Communities (DIGTCOM), is looking for a research assistant, specialized in AI, digital technologies, creative practice, cultural and creative industries, sustainability, fashion and textiles, to work as a team member across the Horizon Europe project CRAFT-IT4SD and the SPIN-IN initiative on data-driven circularity, digital product information, AI and new circular partnerships.

Craft Revitalization Action for Future-proofing the Transition to Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development (CRAFT-IT4SD)  is a European collaborative cross-sectoral research and innovation project funded under the Horizon Europe programme from the European Commission. SPIN-IN (led by AU since 2019) is an open innovation format developed to connect companies, knowledge institutions, technology partners and interdisciplinary student or graduate teams around concrete sustainability and digital transformation challenges.

CRAFT-IT4SD runs from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026 and explores novel ways to address fast fashion and overconsumption by working at the intersection of craft, living heritage, digital technologies, data, open platforms and sustainable transformation.

In the period 2026-28, SPIN-IN focuses on data-driven circularity, digital product passports, AI-supported use of product data, transparency, green procurement and new circular business models. The initiative supports SMEs in the lifestyle, fashion and textile sectors in building and structuring product data across value chains, developing AI-supported tools for analysis, decision-making and storytelling, and creating cross-sectoral partnerships between lifestyle companies, technology providers, knowledge partners and public or private actors.

Qualifications and requirements

The successful applicant is expected to:
 

• contribute with research, practice, and digital expertise to the key objectives of both CRAFT-IT4SD and SPIN-IN
• work in a collaborative, experimental, and cross-sectoral environment where generosity, collegial support, team spirit, creativity, and openness are highly valued
• work with emerging technologies such as AI, XR/VR, blockchain, NFC tags, digital product passports, data platforms, and virtual exhibition formats in relation to craft, fashion, textiles, circularity, and sustainability
• support the development of open innovation formats, SPIN-IN teams, collaborative platforms, and data-driven services for CCSI and lifestyle ecosystems
• contribute to the mapping of companies’ digital maturity, data needs, value chains, and opportunities for circular innovation
• support collaborations between lifestyle SMEs, technology companies, knowledge institutions, and public or private partners
• contribute to research, experimental outcomes and innovations at relevant events, and to peer-reviewed publications as well as alternative formats such as policy input, podcasts, exhibitions, learning material and Open Educational Resources
• actively participate in the working environment at Aarhus University
• contribute to research grant applications
• support project management activities across CRAFT-IT4SD and SPIN-IN
• co-organize research workshops, SPIN-IN activities, conferences, webinars, exhibitions and stakeholder events

Applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in one of the project-relevant fields and preferably have experience from:
 

• working with cultural heritage, craft, sustainability, circular economy, digital technologies, AI, blockchain, XR/VR, data platforms or creative digital practice
• working in interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral environments
• developing research-based communication, policy-oriented outputs, exhibitions, podcasts, learning formats or other public formats
• working with industry, SMEs, student teams, innovation formats or stakeholder partnerships
• writing research and innovation grant applications

Applicants are requested to submit:

• a one-page project description  describing how they intend to contribute to the key objectives of CRAFT-IT4SD and SPIN-IN
• a motivation for applying for the position, maximum one page
• a CV

Professional references or recommendations are not necessary to include. Applicants selected for interview may be asked to provide professional references.

The application must be submitted in English.

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, you will be 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.
The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies
Insert information about the department and a link to the department 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

Place of work
Helsingforsgade 14,
DK 8200 Aarhus N

Further information
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Adriënne Heijnen, Coordinator CRAFT-IT4SD

If you need help uploading your application or if you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by e-mail: hsi@au.dk.
 

Formalia

• Faculty of Arts henviser til bekendtgørelse omAnsættelsesproceduren er yderligere beskrevet i ministeriets Bekendtgørelse om ansættelse af videnskabeligt personale ved universiteter.
• Ansættelse sker i henhold til overenskomst mellem Finansministeriet og AC.
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Der kan benyttes shortlisting til at udvælge kandidater, der skal gå videre til en udfoldet faglig bedømmelse. Udvælgelsen sker ved et udvalg nedsat af institutlederen. Se her for yderligere information om shortlisting på Arts: http://medarbejdere.au.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Proces_for_shortlisting_december_2017.pdf

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Om Arts

Faculty of Arts er et af Nordeuropas væsentligste fakulteter for forskning og videregående uddannelse inden for humaniora, teologi og pædagogik. Inden for denne faglige bredde huser fakultetet omkring 700 forskere, 200 ph.d.-studerende, 9.000 bachelor- og kandidatstuderende og 1.500 efter- og videreuddannelsesstuderende. Vi tror på, at de bedste idéer opstår i mødet mellem forskellige perspektiver – og at forskning, undervisning og innovation udvikles bedst i dialog med samfundet omkring os.

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