Professor of Social Psychology and Technology

Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as professor of social psychology and technology from March 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is part of the larger strategic effort by Roskilde University to strengthen its basic research in fields that open new venues for external collaboration with the private and public sector, for example through the Danish innovation cluster organizations. Furthermore, as the Region Zealand university, Roskilde University is particularly committed to addressing the research and innovation needs of the Region’s stakeholders. Educationally, Roskilde University is based on problem-oriented project learning and continuously seeks to develop this approach further.

In announcing this position, Department of People and Technology looks to strengthen its core research and teaching in social psychology and technology, while simultaneously developing its relationships with the University’s external stakeholders in Region Zealand and beyond. The Department welcomes applicants whose research and teaching profile and ambition includes developing collaboration with these stakeholders as well as with national and international research environments. Furthermore, we are looking for candidates with an aptitude for cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary education.

Department of People and Technology is the largest department at Roskilde University and covers a range of subject areas, broadly focused on human – society – technology interactions and covering topics as sustainable transitions of society, psychology and education, social entrepreneurship, urban planning, digitalization and data science, welfare, and health studies etc. The position is linked to the research group Subject, Technology and Social Practice (STP). In STP, basic research in social psychology is combined with innovative approaches. The research group focuses on analyzing the experiences and activities across various contexts of human subjects in concrete problems of their everyday life. Today technologies play a vital part in coordinating the social activities and subjectivity in the plurality of contexts, which is the basis of modern social life. Through the study of the social organization of human practices (e.g. in a workplace, a childcare center, or a health care practice) the research aims to analyze relations between the challenges of everyday life, perspectives, and technologies. Furthermore, the research group makes analyses of the influence of these relations on how human subjects understand each other and act together.

Read more about STP at https://forskning.ruc.dk/en/organisations/subjekt-teknologi-og-social-praksis.

Responsibilities and tasks
The professor’s main tasks are to undertake research and research-based teaching within the field of research.

The professor is expected to maintain a significant record of publications, to inspire research achievement and to build a research culture within the research group. You will also be expected to secure external research funding, and engage in research networks. You will be required to teach, supervise and assess students at BSc and MSc levels as well as PhD students. This also implies developing the field in relation to teaching. As professor you will be required to participate in post-doctoral training and be responsible for the supervision of assistant professors as well as take part in academic assessments.  The position also requires share of knowledge with the rest of society – including participation in public debate.

Finally, you will be expected to contribute to management and leadership through engagement in the Department.

The ideal candidate is expected to

• Demonstrate scholarly leadership and contribute to a strong research culture
• Perform research and publish in leading international, peer-reviewed journals, supplemented with conference papers at high-ranking academic conferences
• Secure external research funding and engage in research partnerships
• Contribute to the development of the research profile of the Department and in the PLIS research group
• Develop and nurture research networks nationally and internationally, including industry and public sector partners
• Contribute to developing the educational programs of the Department
• Teach/supervise/assess PhDs, take part in the doctoral school’s teaching program, and attract new PhD students
• Act as a mentor for junior researchers with guidance and supervision
• Contribute to the administrative responsibilities of the Department including academic assessments
• Actively contribute to the research environment by a visible and physical presence at the Department

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent within psychology or a closely related field and have documented qualifications equivalent to several years of research and tertiary teaching at the level of associate professor.

We are looking for an applicant with a strong research profile within the research field social psychology and technology drawing on theoretical and empirical work on technological practices, learning and activities of human subjects in everyday life. Key aspects of the research should fall within several of the following subject areas: social psychology of everyday life, critical psychology, cultural historical activity theory, science and technology studies, human-technology interaction, and digitalization, learning and education. The research in the areas covered should span both basic research and innovative applications.

Applicants should have documented experience in attracting and managing external project funding from national or international funding bodies with connected scientific publications in high-level scientific journals. We also expect the applicant to support the development of collaboration with public and private actors that can benefit from applying the research results, as well as to develop research collaboration with other research groups within the University.

The applicant is expected to possess initiative and good cooperative skills, be visible and actively contributing to the daily activities in the STP research group and the connected teaching programs. Both professional and social competencies will be prioritized in the efforts to create an inspiring daily working environment.

Within three years of employment, the applicant is expected to be able to teach in Danish. Experience with problem-oriented project supervision and teaching at university level is an advantage.

The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills and be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

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

• original scientific production at an international level in relation to the above-mentioned field(s),
• development of the field,
• experience with providing adaptive leadership in the development of research and teaching,
• the ability to promote and utilize research results,
• experience in teaching and education,
• ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
• proven experience in securing external research funding,
• fluency in Danish (or another Scandinavian language), English, or both – see the university’s language policy.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact head of section Hans H. K. Sønderstrup-Andersen on tel. (+45) 4674 2441 / [email protected].

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time and you will refer to head of department 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.  

Commencing salary will be minimum DKK 703.060,99 kr. kr. per year (1st April 2024 level) plus pension contribution (17,1 %). 

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 research plan

7. A maximum of 7 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) 

8. Documentation of additional research qualifications, including  

     - experience in research management or other managerial functions 

     - track record in fundraising  

Please submit your application no later than December 10, 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.