The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of associate professor of information studies with a focus on digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation. The position is based at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies.

The appointment is full time and tenured and begins on 1 January 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 Digital Design and Information Studies offers a broad range of humanistic approaches to exploring the relationship between humans and information technology, spanning from the granular study of the agency of code to the ways in which information technology challenges and transforms the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of modern society. The department represents and encourages diverse and innovative methodologies.

We are looking for an applicant with a strong background in digital innovation and entrepreneurship, whose research addresses technological change and business transformation in contemporary societies in relation to, for example, entrepreneurial communities, equality and inclusion, and global contexts. The successful applicant will be expected to further expand and consolidate these fields within the department through teaching and research at the highest international level and must be able to conduct empirical research using qualitative or mixed methods.

In sum, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated applicant who will strengthen the department’s research and teaching profiles both nationally and internationally, while also contributing to Aarhus University’s core activities in the areas of research, teaching and supervision, talent development and knowledge exchange.

Research

The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies at Aarhus University has a strong international profile and a well-established research network. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary faculty with thriving research fields in interaction design, participatory design, innovation and entrepreneurship, critical data studies, science, technology and society studies, and digital aesthetics.

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate strong competences in digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation, and who can contribute to strengthening teaching development and research clusters in these fields.

The successful applicant will be expected to publish original, peer-reviewed research at an international level and make scholarly contributions to developments within the field. Furthermore, the successful applicant will be expected to contribute to research initiatives in relation to both the field of design and creativity and the wider research community at the department, with the aim of forging new collaborative research projects with internal and external partners and attracting external research funding.

Teaching and supervision

We are looking for applicants with teaching and supervision experience in the field of digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation at university level.
The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the department’s teaching and supervision activities, including teaching and supervising on the Bachelor’s degree programme in information studies (2018), the Master’s degree programme in information studies (2021), the Master’s degree programme in digital design (2021) and affiliated PhD degree programmes. Applicants should indicate in their application which courses they would be able to teach. The successful applicant will also be expected to apply innovative teaching methods.

Furthermore, the successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of curricula and degree programmes within the field of information studies with a focus on digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation. In this connection, experience with degree programme and curriculum development at universities or similar institutions will be considered an advantage.

Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in both English and Danish.

Talent development

We are looking for applicants with experience supervising students at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. The successful applicant will be expected to supervise students at both levels and to support the development of early-career researchers. The successful applicant will also be expected to recruit and supervise PhD students and to contribute to the development and implementation of PhD courses within the field.

Knowledge exchange

The successful applicant will be expected to engage in knowledge exchange, for instance through research collaboration with private companies, government consultancy, collaboration with civil society and the public dissemination of knowledge.
The successful applicant will have excellent opportunities to take part in relevant collaborative initiatives with partners both inside and outside Aarhus University.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or be able to document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation, 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, documented by a strong record of international peer-reviewed research publications within information studies with a focus on digital innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation
• experience participating in international research projects and engaging in national and international research networks

• experience with knowledge exchange
• teaching and supervision competences and experience at the BA and MA levels, including curriculum development, documented through 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:

• periods spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions
• experience applying for external research funding.

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next two years and to describe how they see themselves contributing to future research developments within the field, including plans for publications, funding applications and collaborations with external partners.

Please note that while the Aarhus University application system allows submission without uploading publications or a teaching portfolio, applications that do not include uploaded publications (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, please do not include letters of recommendation or references with your 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. 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 the language within approximately three years of commencing the appointment. The level of proficiency must be sufficient to carry out tasks, including administrative and managerial responsibilities, and to participate fully in the activities of the School of Communication and Culture. These include, but are not limited to, reading work-related texts and participating in meetings and collegial gatherings conducted 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 part of the Faculty of Arts. More information about the school and its research programmes, departments and diverse activities can be found on its website.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact 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 Taxation 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 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

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 700 academic staff members, 200 PhD students, 9,000 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 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/