Postdoctoral Position in Emerging Technologies, Craft and Co-Design for Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles

The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies and the Centre for the Digital and Green Transformation in Cities and Communities within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in emerging technologies, craft and co-design for sustainability in fashion and textiles. The position is affiliated with the Horizon Europe project CRAFT-IT4SD (Craft Revitalization Action for Future-proofing the Transition to Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development), which addresses sustainable fashion and textiles.

The postdoctoral position is a full-time and 1.5-year fixed-term position from 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter to 31 July 2026 with a possibility for extension, depending on funding.

The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.

ProjectCRAFT-IT4SD is a European collaborative cross-sectoral research and innovation project funded under the Horizon Europe programme from the European Commission. CRAFT-IT4SD is an ambitious project, running from 1 January 2024 – to 31 December 2026, aimed at exploring novel ways to address fast fashion and overconsumption by working in the intersection of craft, living heritage, digital technologies and data.

Postdoctoral positionThe successful applicant is expected to

• contribute with their research and practice to the key objective of the project
• present research, experimental outcomes and innovations at relevant events regionally, nationally and internationally and co-publish results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals in a timely fashion, as well as codeveloping alternative formats for sharing insights and results such as learning material and Open Education Resources
• actively participate in the working environment at Aarhus University
• contribute to research grant applications
• support project management activities
• co-organise research workshops, conferences, webinars, etc.

QualificationsApplicants must have a PhD degree or document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to the project such as anthropology, digital design, creativity, circular economy, business administration, data science, engineering, or computer science. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:

• an internationally oriented research profile within anthropology, digital design, creativity, circular economy, business administration, data science, engineering, or computer science as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications
• have experience working in a collaborative, experimental and cross-sectoral environment
• experience in the self-directed management of research projects
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage productively within the research team and with external organisations and institutions.

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

• a track record of research publications of a high international standard commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
• experience from working with cultural heritage, craft, sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment, technologies (XR, VR, AI, blockchain, etc.) and data platforms
• experience from working in interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral environments
• experience writing research grant applications
• experience of participation in national and international research networks
• time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions.

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a one-page project description describing how they intend to contribute to the project’s key objectives, showing that describes how they intend to contribute to the project’s key objectives, showing both a theoretical foundation and a practice-oriented / -based approach. Furthermore, applicants should submit a brief explanation of their motivation for applying for the position (maximum one page).

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 two) will not be considered.

Although the Aarhus University application system allows uploading 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. The successful applicant is expected to be at the department daily to maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment.

We respect the balance between work and private life and strive to create a work environment to maintain that balance. 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 postdoctoral researchers at AU.

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 various 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 departmentThe 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 and the Centre for the Digital and Green Transformation in Cities and Communities’ 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 the principal investigator (PI), Senior Scientific Adviser/Researcher Adriënne Heijnen by email: [email protected] or telephone: 24946328.

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

Qualification requirementsApplicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

FormalitiesFaculty 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 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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

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

Faculty of ArtsThe Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 240 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Deadline
22 November 2024

Apply

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/