Assistant Professor of Public Health

The Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, invites applications for one or more full-time positions as Assistant Professor of Public Health. The expected start date is May 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. We welcome applications from candidates with a scientific background in one or more of our academic areas: Applied Public Health, Clinical Public Health, Disease Etiology & Research Methods, and Sport Science. Candidates with alternative scientific profiles relevant to the Department of Public Health are also encouraged to apply.

About the department

The Department of Public Health is research-intensive and has a strong international and collaborative orientation. We are dedicated to advancing both foundational scientific knowledge and applied solutions that address key public health challenges. Our research spans theoretical, basic, and applied sciences, with the goal of generating impactful knowledge and improving population health. We are built on a foundation of academic excellence, and we are committed to conducting rigorous, innovative, high-quality teaching. The department is responsible for teaching in public health, sports science, nursing science, and related methods, and for a significant part of teaching in the medicine program.

We are firmly rooted in our academic disciplines and actively foster interdisciplinary collaboration to drive innovation and excellence in both research and teaching. We are committed to fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, open communication, and an informal tone. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

Your job responsibilities

As Assistant Professor of Public Health, you will contribute to the department’s research and teaching environment and support the faculty’s overall research strategy. You are expected to pursue research of high international quality and to develop your academic profile through both independent work and collaboration with colleagues.

You are committed to delivering high-quality teaching and supervision, and you bring strong collaborative skills and academic curiosity. You are eager to contribute to the academic community at Aarhus University and to help strengthen the department’s national and international profile. You are also committed to academic citizenship, engaging in peer collaboration, mentoring, and contributing to the collegial and social life of the department.

Your main tasks will be:

• Conducting and publishing research of high international quality, including in leading journals or publishing houses within your field.
• Developing your research profile and contributing to the department’s strategic goals, including through applications for external research funding.
• Teaching and supervising students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, and contributing to the development of innovative teaching activities.
• Participating in the supervision of PhD students and contributing to the faculty’s PhD courses.
• Disseminating your research to both academic and broader audiences.

You will report to the Head of Department Michael Baggesen Klitgaard.

Your competences

You hold a PhD degree in a relevant field and have demonstrated the potential to become an internationally recognized researcher. You can document research and teaching experience, and you show promise in developing an independent research agenda. Experience with international collaboration, external funding applications will be considered an asset. In the hiring process, we place particular emphasis on professional experience gained through employment or extended research stays at internationally recognized universities or research institutions outside the candidate’s primary place of employment.

Your personal qualities include the ability to build trust-based relationships with colleagues, students, and external partners. In the classroom, you communicate current and relevant knowledge in a clear, engaging, and committed manner. As a supervisor, you are professional, inclusive, and supportive, and you value contributing to the collaborative spirit that defines the Department of Public Health, the Faculty of Health, and Aarhus University. You are also eager to contribute to the department’s continued development and to help maintain a positive and inclusive work environment.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. International applicants are expected to learn Danish, and Aarhus University arranges Danish teaching.

In order to be assessed as qualified for an Assistant Professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Head of Department Michael Baggesen Klitgaard tel.: (+45) 4022 7649. Your place of work will be the Department of Public Health DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. 

Terms of employment

• Appointment as an assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime assistant professor is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan, which is part of the 'Template to applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor' can be uploaded separately (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

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.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

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/