Associate Professor of Design and Creativity in the Context of Information Technology

The School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for the position of associate professor of design and creativity based at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies.

The appointment is full-time and tenured and begins on 1 May 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 position
The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies offers a broad range of humanistic approaches to studying 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 social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of modern society. Diverse and innovative methodologies are represented and encouraged at the department.

We are looking for an applicant with a strong background in design and creativity (for example tools and technologies, sources of inspiration and ideation) who conducts research within areas of data-driven design and sustainable technology design. The successful applicant will be expected to further expand and consolidate these fields in the department through teaching and research at the highest international level and must be able to carry out empirical research using qualitative or mixed methods.

In sum, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated applicant who will enhance 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.

Research
The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies at Aarhus University has a pronounced and significant international profile and a robust research network. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary faculty. The department has flourishing areas in interaction design, participatory design, innovation and entrepreneurship, critical data studies, science-technology-society studies and digital aesthetics.

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate strong competences in design and creativity and who can also help strengthen teaching development in the subject.

The successful applicant will be expected to play a role in developing research in the field of design and creativity as outlined above.

The successful applicant will also be expected to publish original peer-reviewed research internationally as well as making 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 research community at the department in terms of new collaborative research projects with internal and external partners, and in connection with external research funding.

Teaching and supervision
We are looking for applicants with relevant teaching and supervision experience commensurate with the described position.

The 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, Master’s and PhD degree programmes, particularly the Bachelor’s degree programme in digital design - IT, aesthetics and interaction and the Master’s degree programme in digital design.

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 also be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of the department’s curricula and degree programme(s), and in this connection experience of degree programme and curriculum development at universities or similar institutions will be an advantage.

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

Talent development
We are looking for applicants with experience in supervising both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students, as the successful applicant will be expected to supervise at both levels. The successful applicant will furthermore be expected to supervise and help develop the careers of early-career researchers as well as to recruit and supervise PhD students and participate in the development and implementation of PhD courses within the field.Knowledge exchange

It is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange, including 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 relevant collaborative initiatives with partners inside and outside Aarhus University.

Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to the position, 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 as documented by a strong international peer-reviewed research publication record within design and creativity and areas of data-driven design
• experience of participation in international research projects as well as national and international research networks
• experience of knowledge exchange
• teaching and supervision competences and experience at BA and MA level, 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

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

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a research plan for the next three years and state how they see themselves contributing to future research developments within the field, including plans for publication, 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 eight) 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 environment
Active participation in the department’s daily life is a high priority. 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 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 have 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, teaching and examining students, reading work-related texts and participating in meetings and collegial gatherings 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 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 Morten Breinbjerg, Head of the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, by tel.: +4587161997 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.