Postdoctoral position for the project Human AI Collaboration: Imaginaries, Interventions, Interfaces

Aarhus Universitet; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position titled “Human AI Collaboration: Imaginaries, Interventions, Interfaces” in the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies. The position is full-time and 1-year fixed-term, beginning 01 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project analyzes GenAI as a cultural interface, with emphasis on SP5 and WPs 1–3, and requires international collaboration and teaching duties in English and Danish.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent qualifications in digital design and aesthetics (or related field).
• Internationally oriented research profile in digital design or related fields as evidenced by publications or dissertation.
• Experience in professional management of research projects.
• University-level teaching experience with a teaching portfolio.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the HAIC-III project and its subprojects (SP1–SP4) and SP5 Human–AI Collaboration Lab.
• Disseminate findings through presentations, papers and journal articles.
• Teach in English and Danish, aligning with international degree programmes.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

PhD degree

Job description

Postdoctoral position for the project Human AI Collaboration: Imaginaries, Interventions, Interfaces

The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position “Human AI Collaboration: Imaginaries, Interventions, Interfaces” funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark – Culture and Communication.

The postdoctoral researcher position is a full-time and 1-year fixed-term position. The position begins on 01 January 2027 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.

Project

The rapid development of Generative AI (GenAI) promises increased productivity but comes with a lack of transparency. HAIC-III offers an analytical, theoretical, and practical research perspective on GenAI as a cultural and creative interface, which includes artistic and design interventions. HAIC -III positions itself within the fields of electronic literature, critical data studies, and software studies, and it analyses how GenAI is interfaced (SP1), how GenAI creates new relations to archives (SP2), experiments with prototyping alternative interfaces to GenAI (SP3), and utilise artistic research to explore how AI affects contemporary imaginaries (SP4).

How can we use artistic and design-based approaches to address and potentially mitigate problematic aspects of GenAI’s usage in cultural domains through a focus on creative human-AI collaboration? Rather than automation, HAIC-III's central focus is on human-AI collaboration and GenAI as cultural expression and creative interface.

contribute to the overall research project, with particular emphasis on SP5 (Human–AI Collaboration Lab) and the thematic WPs 1–3 (AI & Identity, AI & the Archive, and AI Interfaces);

conduct research that contributes to one or more of the project’s subprojects: SP1 (Reading AI Platforms through Interface Criticism), SP2 (Generative Archives), SP3 (Prototyping Anti-mimetic AI), and/or SP4 (Crafting Collaborative Imaginaries);

contribute to the effective implementation of the project and to its overall academic impact and outcomes, including research presentations, papers and journal articles;

Given the international focus of the degree programmes, the chosen 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 digital design and aesthetics. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:

an internationally oriented research profile within the field of digital design or similar relevant fields as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or relevant research publications

experience in the professional management of research projects

relevant teaching experience at university level as documented by a teaching portfolio (or equivalent documentation of teaching experience & qualifications) commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career

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 demonstrated record of high-quality research publications recognized internationally, in line with the applicant’s career stage

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 proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project (max. 1-2 pages).

Work environment

Active participation in the department's daily life 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 high-quality teaching and research environment, the selected applicant is expected to maintain a consistent, engaged presence within the department.

We respect the balance between work and private life and aim to create a work environment in which that balance can be maintained. You can read more about family and work-life balance in Denmark.

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

For further information about the position, please contact the principal investigator (PI), Søren Pold: [e-mail]

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Formalities

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

Terms of employment

Appointment shall be in accordance with thecollective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Financeand the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

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 Master’s 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

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

Administrationscenter Arts - Arts HR [phone] [e-mail]