Assistant Professor of Regional Development and Planning with a focus on Sustainability Transitions and Innovation

The Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University invites applications for a position as assistant professor of regional development and planning with a focus on sustainability transitions and innovation, from January 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is limited to 3 years.

The position is linked to the TRANSITIONS research group that aims at generating transdisciplinary knowledge about sustainable transitions with a focus on the interactions between societal and technological development. The ambition of the group is to increase the understanding of how environmental regulation, planning and governance can facilitate sustainability transitions in key societal sectors and domains. The research in particular concerns sustainable energy systems, agrifood and biosystems, and circular economy.

Research in the group emphasizes science-based, multi-actor-approaches that develop and apply scientific theories and methods to meet contextualized societal needs – whether for households, communities, authorities, firms, or civil society organizations. The researchers aim for high academic and societal impact of their research through problem-oriented, co-innovative, and collaborative approaches involving partners from academia as well as from industry, public authorities, NGOs, and citizens. Many projects develop specific solutions to contextualized sustainability problems.

Read more at https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/organisations/transitions

Responsibilities and tasks
The work of the assistant professor will include research, including obligations regarding publication/scientific communication, as well as research-based teaching and student-project supervision with associated examination. Teaching activities will focus on the BSc study programme Humanities and Technology, the specialization bachelor study programme TekSam - Environmental Planning, and the MSc programme Sustainability Transitions (TekSam). In addition to research and teaching, the position will involve societal outreach activities such as participation in workshops, public debates, media articles etc.

The chosen candidate will be expected to contribute to two third-party funded projects, focusing on regional development, innovation, and sustainability transitions:

• Fehmarn Belt Innovation, which aims at strengthening innovation, technology transfer and business growth in the Danish-German Fehmarn region through the development of partnerships and activities to increase the knowledge and skills of the participating companies and organisations. This includes applying foresight and scenario planning approaches to ensure a higher degree of “future thinking” in innovation work.
• Building Engagement to Accelerate Clean Energy Transitions in the South Baltic (BALTICBEAT) that investigates the role of local communities in initiating and sustaining clean energy initiatives and energy transformation processes. Tasks will include analysis of the policy mixes that affect community-based energy transitions, mapping capacities and change-agents for community-based clean energy transition and, developing scenarios to facilitate stakeholder engagement in the co-creation of community energy futures.

Furthermore, the position will involve project management responsibilities, such as leading and coordinating work packages, organising workshops and study trips, and network building with national and international partners and stakeholders. The candidate may be asked to participate in additional projects and project applications.

The ideal candidate is expected to complete the educational training programme for assistant professors at Roskilde University.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent within planning studies, environmental planning, regional development, sustainability transitions, or similar fields relevant to the position. Qualifications within the following areas are required:

• Planning theory, particularly related to spatial and/or environmental planning and governance,
• Regional development, in relation to local development, social innovation and sustainability transitions,
• The use of scenario and foresight methods in instigating innovation processes and regional development,
• Experience with qualitative methods, particularly policy analysis,
• Experience with problem-oriented project learning (PPL at RUC) and with teaching in an interdisciplinary environment.

The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be involved in the department’s daily activities, and be willing to engage in research and teaching collaboration across the department and with external partners. Proficiency in German is an asset due to the participation in ongoing regional research collaboration with partners from Northern Germany.

Ability to teach and conduct research in Danish is an asset. Selected applicants who do not speak Danish will be requested to acquire the necessary skills in Danish within the first two years of service, to ensure that they can participate satisfactorily in teaching activities as well as in academic and administrative activities at the University. At the time of appointment, selected applicants must master English for academic purposes.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• research topic,
• scientific production,
• research prospective and the ability to promote and utilize research results,
• experience with working in international research projects with a focus on cross-border (regional) cooperation,
• experience with working in transdisciplinary projects including with non-academic partners,
• experience in teaching and education,
• other academic experience, e.g. from organizing conferences, workshops or seminars,
• ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
• ability to demonstrate strong teamwork skills in research and teaching

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact head of studies and project manager Simon Bolwig, tel. (+45) 2132 7925

Terms of employment
The employment is full-time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean Bjarke Oxlund.
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.  

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application 

To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/ 

Only applications in English are accepted. 

Applications must include: 

1. Cover letter 

2. CV 

3. Documentation of education 

4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here) 

5. A complete list of publications 

6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment  

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here) 

Please submit your application no later than November 14, 2024.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.