Postdoc in Organizing Local Sustainability

Arts - Institut for Kommunikation og kultur; Denmark; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts - Institut for Kommunikation og kultur at Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position in sustainability and organizational studies. The postdoc will conduct independent fieldwork on Samsø, publish insights in high-impact journals, and engage in dissemination at conferences.

The role includes coordinating practice-based activities and teaching/supervision at BA and MA levels, with duties in English and Danish.

Qualifications

• PhD level required in a field related to organizations, society and sustainability.
• Internationally oriented research profile within organization studies or sustainability.
• Experience in self-directed management of research projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with the team and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent fieldwork and data collection.
• Publish research insights in high-impact journals.
• Engage in dissemination via conferences and outreach.
• Coordinate practice-based activities within the project.
• Teach and supervise at BA/MA levels, primarily in English and Danish.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-directed research

International collaboration

Danish language

Education

PhD degree or equivalent qualifications

Job description

Postdoc in Organizing Local Sustainability

The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in sustainability and organizational studies. The postdoc position is affiliated with the research project ‘Jordfast: Mapping paths to democratic sustainability ’ funded by Velux Foundation and School of Communication and Culture.

Project

\"Jordfast\" is a four-year research-to-practice project (2026–2029) designed to bridge the democratic gap in sustainable rural development by anchoring environmental transitions in local participatory processes. Using the Danish island of Samsø as a \"living laboratory\", the project combines critical placemaking theories with deliberative democracy to develop tools like a digital/physical atlas that empower citizens- such as farmers, fishermen, and youth to co-create solutions for land-use conflicts and climate adaptation. The initiative is led by the Samsø Energy Academy (SEA), which handles the project’s coordination. The research project is led by a team from Aarhus University and Southern Denmark.

Postdoc position

The postdoc position is a full-time and 2-year fixed-term position. The position begins on 15/10/2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Conduct independent fieldwork and data collections

Public research insights in high-impact journals

Engage in research dissemination activities such as attending conferences

Coordinate practice-based activities

Note: since it is a collaborative project led by the Samsø Energy Academy, the candidate is expected to conduct a significant amount of work on site at the Academy, which is located on the island of Samsø (https://energiakademiet.dk/).

Teaching and supervision

As postdoc in the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, your position is primarily research-based, but it will also involve a small degree of teaching and supervision. To that end, the successful applicant will be expected to take part in the department’s teaching and supervision activities and to teach and supervise at BA and MA levels.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field related to organizations, society, and sustainability. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:

an internationally oriented research profile within organization studies, sustainability, or other related social sciences (such as sociology, anthropology, geography) as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications

experience in the self-directed management of research projects

excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in order to engage productively both 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, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career

relevant teaching experience at university level

experience of participation in national and international research networks

time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions.

Competence in Danish language (both reading and speaking)

Experience in field research and community engagement

Finally, applicants are asked to provide a proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project (max. three pages).

Please note that applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum two) 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 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. In order to maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to maintain a consistent, engaged presence within the department.

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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

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.

The department

The place of employment is Department of Digital Design and Information Studies at Helsingforsgade 14, Aarhus 8200.

Department of Digital Design and Information Studies at Aarhus University is one of the strongest IT-focused academic environments in Europe. Our researchers, lecturers, and students explore how digital technologies shape people’s everyday lives, society, and future, and our research actively contributes to understanding and addressing the major technological and ethical challenges of our time. See more information here: https://cc.au.dk/en/digital-design-and-information-studies.

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 the principal investigator (PI), Shuang L. Frost, [e-mail]

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

Formalities

Faculty 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 Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

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. The 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

About Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of Northern Europe’s most significant faculties for research and higher education in the humanities, theology and education. Within this broad academic scope, the faculty comprises approximately 700 researchers, 200 PhD students, 9,000 Bachelor's and Masters degree students, and 1,500 further and continuing education students. We believe that the best ideas arise when different perspectives meet - and that research, teaching and innovation are best developed in dialogue with the surrounding society.

You can find more information here: Faculty of Arts | Aarhus University

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