Assistant professor in Digital Technologies for Societal Challenges (Tenure Track)

At The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology (Copenhagen Campus) a full-time position as Assistant professor in Digital Technologies for Societal Challenges (Tenure track) is available from November 1st, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology has as its goal the development of an innovative cluster of engineering-based environments for education and research which integrate engineering and digital technologies within the disciplines of architecture, urban design, industrial design, digital design, service design and interactive media. The department is a leading research and educational environment in Denmark that addresses the challenge of the interplay between design and technology and develops new areas in research and education directed towards the end-user.

Your work tasks   
In this position, you will contribute to the teaching, research and development of digital technologies for societal challenges and needs, with a specific focus on for example social innovation, climate, security or health. You will teach and explore how data-driven solutions and interactive applications can address pressing challenges such as rehabilitation, the aging population, green energy, resilience, sustainability or well-being of children and the young.

You will contribute to the department’s research through high-level scientific publication and by actively collaborating with colleagues and external partners to secure external research funding from national and international sources.

Educational tasks involve teaching within the Medialogy program at the AAU Copenhagen campus. This includes delivering courses and teaching in e.g. programming, algorithms and data structures, software systems architecture, use of AI, data acquisition and fullstack software-development. Following the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model, you will manage semester coordination and supervise student projects e.g. related to societal challenges in both the bachelor and master programs. You will also help to modernize the curriculum in areas such as programming, applied AI, data acquisition, signal processing and fullstack development, in order to create better experiences for human users and learners. Your work will in addition include exploring how novel approaches in teaching software-development, interaction design, AI, data gathering, and social innovation can enhance student learning, creativity and strengthen graduate employability within AAU’s PBL project-based learning environment.

Your competencies  
We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in Media Technology, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction or a related field with a proven scientific track record and interdisciplinary orientation toward societal challenges.

You should have documented experience in developing interactive applications, with proficiency in programming. We particularly value candidates who can bridge the gap between technical engineering and user-centered design.

You should demonstrate the ability to bridge technical development with user-centered applications addressing societal challenges and have a solid publication record in recognized venues and the ability to work across methods and disciplines.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in research areas such as interactive digital applications for e.g. health, well-being or digital rehabilitation technologies, and/or socially driven innovation. Experience working with people in co-design processes is highly valued.

You should demonstrate the ability to teach and supervise a high volume of student groups- ranging across all semesters of the Medialogy or similar programs while maintaining individual attention and academic quality. The ideal candidate has experience in teaching and supervising within the PBL framework or similar project-based learning environments and is motivated to develop new, industry-focused teaching formats in areas such as e.g. Health-oriented technologies or advanced programming to enhance graduate employability.
 
You should be motivated to engage in stakeholder-led research where researchers, practitioners, and organizations jointly create new digital solutions. You thrive in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment and are committed to contributing to the academic life at our Copenhagen campus.

Qualification requirements 
Applicants for a tenure track assistant professorship must have academic qualifications at PhD level.  

When appointing tenure track assistant professors, Aalborg University also place particular emphasis on: 

• The candidate can demonstrate a high degree of autonomy in their previous education and employment path
• The candidate shows considerable potential and is among the best in their field
• The candidate has academic experience from several universities and/or research institutions and preferably international experience
• The candidate is a skilled communicator
• The candidate writes and speaks English at the academic level
• The candidate is expected to meet the criteria for permanent employment as an associate professor at Aalborg University at the end of the tenure track process

Who we are   
The Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology (CREATE) is a unique interdisciplinary environment and has as its goal the development of an innovative cluster of engineering-based environments for education and research which integrate design, engineering and technology. With researchers and educators across campuses in Aalborg and Copenhagen, we focus on developing human-centered design and technological solutions to create a sustainable and attractive society.

Our work is organized into specialized sections: Architecture and Urban Design, Industrial Design, and Media Technology - allowing us to explore the interaction between users and technical solutions in a way that is unique within the Danish academic landscape. Your place of work will be at the CREATE section of Media Technology situated in Copenhagen’s Sydhavn area, where researchers and students work in our state-of-the-art research labs and collaborate with various external partners to address societal challenges through media technological solutions.

Assessment in connection with transfer to associate professorship
The assessment in connection with transition to tenure as an associate professor normally takes place in the final six months of the tenure track assistant professors’ employment. However, the employee may request that an assessment take place at an earlier time in the first four years. If this assessment finds that the employee is not academically qualified, they may request another assessment within the final six months of their period of employment. A maximum of two assessments may take place. 

The assessment, on transition to the associate professorship, will as a minimum, emphasize the following qualifications in relation to the scientific subject area of the tenure track assistant professorship: 

• Research qualifications equivalent to the level that can be achieved on the basis of satisfactorily completed employment as tenure track assistant professor.
• Documented scientific production at international level. Assessment will be based on up to ten selected publications selected by the employee.
• Documentation of pedagogical supervision and upgrading of qualifications, including a positive written assessment of teaching qualifications. The assessment will also be based on the employee's teaching portfolio.
• The level of contribution to an active academic environment as well as the ability to collaborate and build relationships.
• The level of experience with grant proposals and experience of communicating research to relevant stakeholders. 

If the tenure track assistant professor fails to request that their qualifications be assessed in the last year of their period of employment or if they are assessed as not academically qualified, the university must immediately initiate dismissal proceedings in accordance with the collective agreement rules. 

How to apply  
Your application must include the following: 

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. 
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. Please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design . If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position 
• References/recommendations 

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.    

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

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position. 

Do you have any questions? 
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact Henrik Schønau-Fog, hsf@create.aau.dk 

You may read more about the department here: https://www.create.aau.dk/om-create

Further information 
Read more about our recruitment process here   

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace. 

Salary and terms of employment  
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish). 

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish). 

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Henrik Schønau Fog: +4599402477, hsf@create.aau.dk
• Central HR : +4599403031, aau-hrsupport@adm.aau.dk

Employment type

Full time

Ref number

2026/880

Deadline

21.08.2026