Postdoctoral researcher in Practice-Based Artistic Research
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 practice-based artistic research. The postdoctoral role is associated with the research project ‘Reparative Encounters: Repairing Danish Colonial Legacies through Arts-Based Collaboration’, funded by the Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens: Accelerate.
The postdoctoral position is a full-time, fixed-term role for two years. It starts on 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.
1) Which commonalities, differences and solidarities emerge when artists and scholars from regions differently impacted by Danish colonialism collaborate through artistic creation?
2) How do the resulting artistic practices produce new understandings of colonial experiences?
3) How can exhibitions enhance our understanding of colonial legacies between the USVI, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat, the Faroe Islands and Denmark? Which curatorial strategies are best suited for repairing disrupted relationships?
The project’s research design combines:
1) collective artist residencies in the USVI, Denmark, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands to foster collaborative creation;
2) a travelling exhibition that evolves as it moves from the USVI, Denmark, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands; and
3) outreach activities and interdisciplinary public programmes held alongside each exhibition.
The successful applicant will be expected to:
This could include a brief introduction to previous work in the field and ideas for artworks, public programmes, outreach activities, relevant articles, and other types of publications.
Please note that while 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 offers an option to upload letters of recommendation, please refrain from including letters of recommendation or references with your application. Applicants invited for an interview may be asked to provide references.
We prioritise the significance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life, and we strive to cultivate a work environment that supports this equilibrium. 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.
Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.
If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by email: hsi@au.dk.
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
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
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The postdoctoral position is a full-time, fixed-term role for two years. It starts on 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
‘Reparative Encounters: Repairing Danish Colonial Legacies through Arts-Based Collaboration’ investigates the connections, differences, and potential solidarities between four regions differently impacted by Danish colonialism: the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands. The project employs collaborative artistic research between scholars and artists from these regions to generate dialogue between different experiences of coloniality and to create new knowledge about colonial legacies through artistic creation. Central to the project is the premise that collaborative artistic research can generate new knowledge by accessing experiences that are difficult to capture through art historical analysis or qualitative methods alone. Art practices engage creatively with embodied memory and material remnants of colonial history, opening new possibilities for articulating untold perspectives. Research questions driving the project are:1) Which commonalities, differences and solidarities emerge when artists and scholars from regions differently impacted by Danish colonialism collaborate through artistic creation?
2) How do the resulting artistic practices produce new understandings of colonial experiences?
3) How can exhibitions enhance our understanding of colonial legacies between the USVI, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat, the Faroe Islands and Denmark? Which curatorial strategies are best suited for repairing disrupted relationships?
The project’s research design combines:
1) collective artist residencies in the USVI, Denmark, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands to foster collaborative creation;
2) a travelling exhibition that evolves as it moves from the USVI, Denmark, Ghana, Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands; and
3) outreach activities and interdisciplinary public programmes held alongside each exhibition.
Postdoctoral position
We are seeking an applicant who can collaborate closely and effectively within a project group comprising artists, curators, and researchers. Applicants should be practice-based researchers holding a PhD or equivalent qualifications in fields such as arts and cultural studies, visual culture, artistic research, curatorial studies, or other relevant disciplines. Prior experience in research and artistic interventions within the postcolonial and decolonial fields is essential. Experience of collaborative artistic research will be regarded as an advantage. The project’s team will use English as its working language.The successful applicant will be expected to:
- work on the creation of two exhibitions, one in the US Virgin Islands and one in Denmark, in collaboration with the project team
- produce artistic work relevant to the project, to be presented at the exhibitions
- co-organise outreach activities and public programmes associated with the exhibitions
- co-organise the publications associated with the exhibitions
- write research articles individually and/or in collaboration with the project team
- take an active part in developing and fulfilling the different processes, meetings and events related to the project in close collaboration with the project team
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to practice-based artistic research in postcolonial or decolonial contexts. Applicants must be able to document relevant to the position- an internationally oriented research profile within practice-based artistic research, as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications as well as artistic work and/or exhibitions
- experience in the self-directed management of research projects
- experience in organising exhibitions, outreach activities and public programmes
- experience of publishing articles in international research journals
- ability to understand, communicate, and write in English
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to engage fruitfully both within the research team and with external organisations and institutions.
- a track record of research publications of a high international standard, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- experience of arts and research funding applications
- time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions.
This could include a brief introduction to previous work in the field and ideas for artworks, public programmes, outreach activities, relevant articles, and other types of publications.
Please note that while 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 offers an option to upload letters of recommendation, please refrain from including letters of recommendation or references with your application. Applicants invited for an interview may be asked to provide references.
Work environment
Active participation in the department’s daily activities is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of strong 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, active presence within the department.We prioritise the significance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life, and we strive to cultivate a work environment that supports this equilibrium. 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 learn 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 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.Contact
For further information about the position, please contact the principal investigator (PI), associate professor Daniela Agostinho, by email: dagostinho@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 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 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.
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
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
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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Deadline: 16 April 2026
Academic contact person:
Daniela Agostinho
Lektor
dagostinho@cc.au.dk
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Expected date of accession: 01 June 2026