Assistant Professor of Culture, Society and History in the Spanish-speaking World

The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of assistant professor of culture, society and history in the Spanish-speaking world based at the Department of German and Romance Languages.

The assistant professorship is a full-time, three-year fixed-term position, and subject to appropriate funding, there will be an opportunity to apply for a subsequent associate professorship. The position begins on 1 August 2025 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 positionThe Department of German and Romance Languages has a significant international research and teaching profile in the study of the language, literature and history of and social conditions in Germany, the Francophone countries, Spain and the Spanish American countries.

We are looking for applicants who are specialised in contemporary Spanish and/or Latin American cultural studies and have experience in research related to different cultural media and artefacts (visual and plastic arts, social media, performance and literature etc). Experience from international research networks will be considered an advantage.

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

ResearchThe Spanish and Latin American section of the Department of German and Romance Languages at Aarhus University has a pronounced international orientation and a robust research network. Over the last 10-15 years, this section has developed a significant stronghold within cultural memory studies and a decolonial approach to cultural studies.

We are looking for an applicant who can maintain and further develop this profile. The successful applicant will be expected to spearhead digital approaches to teaching and research not only within the Spanish and Latin American section, but also in a wider context within the School of Communication and Culture.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop research projects that result in academic publications. The successful applicant will also be expected to participate in the research community at the department in terms of collaborative research projects with internal and external partners, as well as participating in applications for external research funding and forging strong international partnerships.

Teaching and supervisionThe successful applicant will be expected to take part in the department’s teaching and supervision activities and to teach and supervise on the department’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in Spanish and Spanish American language, literature and culture and the Master’s Degree Programme in Intercultural Studies (Latin America and Spain), particularly in the following courses: History, Society and Culture in Spain; History, Society and Culture in Latin America; Text and Image; (Post-)Colonial Relations in the Spanish-speaking World; History, Society and Change in Spanish Language Contexts; and Media, Identity and Oral Communication. Please indicate in your application which courses you could teach. The successful applicant will also be expected to apply innovative teaching methods.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop supervision capabilities at both BA and MA levels.

Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the successful applicant will be expected to teach in Spanish as well as in English. The successful applicant may also be asked to teach academically relevant courses at other departments within the school.
The person appointed to the position of assistant professor must complete Aarhus University’s teacher-training programme for assistant professors, which is designed for university teaching.

Knowledge exchangeIt is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange, for instance in terms of 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 engage in collaborative initiatives with partners inside and outside Aarhus University.

QualificationsApplicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to culture, society and history in the Spanish-speaking world as well as teaching and research experience equivalent to that attained through a PhD degree. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:

• an internationally oriented research profile within culture, society and history in the Spanish-speaking world as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications
• relevant teaching experience at university level, including innovative teaching methods documented through a teaching portfolio
• native or near-native command of Spanish.

Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document

• a track record of research publications of a high international standard, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
• an outstanding and innovative doctoral dissertation in an area related to and relevant for the position
• participation in national and international research networks
• international research conference participation
• experience in digital research and teaching methods
• time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions.

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan (3-5 pages) for the next three years as well as a vision for their contribution to future developments within the field, including plans for publications, funding applications and collaborations with external partners.

Please note that although the application process can be completed on the Aarhus University system without uploading publications or a teaching portfolio, applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) as well as 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 the application. Applicants who are invited to an interview may be asked to provide references.

Work environmentActive 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 daily.

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 applicantsInternational 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 Danish sufficient to handle tasks, including administrative and managerial responsibilities, and to participate fully in the activities of the School of Communication and Culture within approximately three years of commencing the appointment. These include, but are not limited to, reading work-related texts and participating in meetings and collegial gatherings in Danish.

The departmentThe place of employment is the Department of German and Romance Languages, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The Department of German and Romance Languages currently employs over 30 full-time academic staff, PhD students and several part-time lecturers from various countries. The research covers literature, linguistics, social/historical/cultural studies, intercultural studies, international business communication, corporate communication, specialised and literary translation and lexicography. The department offers three main types of degree programmes in French, German and Spanish: language, literature and culture, intercultural studies, and international business communication.

Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.

School of Communication and CultureThe 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.

ContactFor further information about the position, please contact Henrik Høeg Müller, Head of the Department of German and Romance Languages, by tel.: +45 25 39 70 49 or by email: [email protected].

If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by email: [email protected].

Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners: Relocation Services for Professors and Postdocs at Aarhus University (au.dk). Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here: http://international.au.dk/research/.

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 examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five 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

Deadline: 02 January 2025

Faculty of ArtsRead more at arts.au.dk/en

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