The Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, invites applications for a position as Associate Professor of Public Health. For this position, we are particularly interested in applicants with scientific expertise and interest in the field of health literacy. The position is a full-time, three-year appointment, starting 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Department of Public Health

As an Associate Professor in our department, you will join a dynamic and internationally oriented research environment dedicated to advancing both foundational knowledge and applied solutions in public health. We promote excellence in academic scholarship and are committed to educating future health professionals through innovative, high-quality teaching. Our research spans theoretical, basic, and applied sciences, aiming to generate impactful knowledge and improve population health. The department is responsible for teaching in public health science, sports science, optometry, and nursing, and contributes to medical education. We encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and strive to maintain a healthy, inclusive, and collegial work culture, where communication is open and informal.
Learn more about the department here and the faculty here.

Your job responsibilities

As Associate Professor, you will play a key role in shaping the department’s research and teaching agenda, contributing to both departmental initiatives and the Faculty of Health’s broader research strategy. Your primary responsibility will be to develop and lead high-quality research, primarily within a newly established Centre focusing on health literacy and health equity. You are expected to advance both national and international collaboration and contribute to the Centre’s research profile. The research will be conducted both independently and in collaboration with colleagues at national and international levels. You ensure that your teaching maintains a high academic and didactic standard. You possess professional collaborative skills and a broad academic network, which you can effectively leverage in your contributions to the academic development of Aarhus University and its profile both nationally and internationally. 

Your main tasks will be:

• Conducting research at the highest scientific level -- including publication in top international journals and communicating your research in national and international academic networks.
• Strategic development of the new Center in collaboration with the Director.
• Execution and coordination of day-to-day research program activities.
• Contributing to obtaining external research funding.
• Teaching and Supervision of bachelor’s and master's degree students and contribution to the development of new teaching activities.
• Supervision of PhD students and contributing to the development of the faculty's PhD courses.
• Involvement in assessment and committee work at Aarhus University.
• Dissemination of your research to the outside world.

You will report to the Head of Department, Michael Baggesen Klitgaard. Day-to-day report is to the Centre Director, Professor Helle Terkildsen Maindal.

Your competences

You have established yourself as a prominent researcher within the field of public health and health literacy, and you can document solid research and teaching qualifications at an international level. For this specific position, knowledge and understanding of the Danish health care system are an advantage.

You have international cooperative partnerships and experience in research partnerships with private and public-sector stakeholders, and you have the potential to become a skilled group leader. At the same time, you know about attracting significant research funding from national and international funding bodies. We draw attention to a stay or employment at least one internationally recognised research institution.

As a person, you are dedicated and a skilled communicator. You can build relationships based on trust with students, colleagues and partners. As a lecturer, you communicate the newest and relevant knowledge in a committed, clear and comprehensible manner. As a supervisor, you are professional, inspiring and inclusive.

You are ready to take co-responsibility for the development of the department's research and education, especially within the Center, at the highest international level and for ensuring that we maintain a good work environment. You naturally involve yourself in interdisciplinary collaboration at departmental, faculty, and university levels as well as nationally and internationally.

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

To be assessed as qualified for an Associate 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 Section and Centre Director Helle Terkildsen Maindal at tel.: (+45) 25462320.

If you have any questions about the Department of Public Health, please contact Head of Department Michael Baggesen Klitgaard at tel.: (+45) 40227649.

Your place of work will primarily be the Department of Public Health, Dalgas Avenue 4, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Travel should be expected, as the centre will engage in applied public health research with external partners.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of appointment as an assistant professor, but may also be obtained in other ways.
• The applicant is required to have completed a university pedagogical programme or an equivalent programme.
• 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 associate professor is DKK 650.004,18 (including a position related supplement, a pre-agreed associate professor supplememt and pension (17.1%)). Additional supplement(s) can be negotiated dependent on experience, special qualifications and performance of special functions. 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.
• Travel and moving expenses may be covered according to the employee in question and, to a limited extent, the accompanying family.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - associate professor
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• The five publications stated as the most important in the 'Template for applicant - associate professor' must be submitted
• Research plan, which is part of the 'Template to applicant - associate 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.

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/