Associate Professor in Blue Governance (2022-224-05080)

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Planning, a position as Associate Professor in Blue Governance is open for appointment from 1 May 2023 or soon hereafter. This is a permanent position and situated in Aalborg, Denmark.

At Department of Planning, we have about 200 employees situated at both the Aalborg and Copenhagen campuses. The department provides high-quality research and teaching in the field of planning, technology and society in order to create a more sustainable future. We are interdisciplinary in the technical, natural and social science disciplines and present a unique combination of social and technological understanding where digital and technological solutions merge with the needs of society.

Our research creates the foundation for educating the future workforce, and as part of Aalborg University, the department rests on a socially engaged and problem-oriented approach. The Department of Planning is also home to the UNESCO Center for Problem-Based Learning. We ensure that we create educations aimed at the job market and a society with increasing focus on technology, digitization, sustainability and partnerships for a sustainable transition.

You can read more on TECH as a workplace here .

You can read more on Department of Planning here .

Within the Department of Planning, the Centre for Blue Governance (CBG) seeks to understand interconnected cultures and relationships to marine environments, space, and resources, and how political and environmental changes and their respective impacts manifest. CBG analyses how coastal communities, governments, international organisations, and industry adapt to, seek to alter, and govern these changes. Through our research, we aim to advance social sciences in the field of blue governance and develop innovative approaches, both theoretical and applied, that align with the principles of sustainability, democracy, and legitimacy.

The position’s research areas will be within the field of Blue Governance to understand the strategies used by people in response to social, cultural, economic, environmental, and political change along the coasts, at sea, and in various marine territories.

CBG seeks an Associate Professor with a social scientific background who will work with colleagues to continue to elevate CBG’s international profile and secure new research funding that supports the collaborative working culture at CBG. The duties include proposal writing, coordinating national and international research projects, international networking, teaching, as well as contributing to the administrative running of CBG. Initially, the candidate will work on select projects within CBG’s current, externally funded project portfolio, including four EU Horizon Europe projects. This position will call for multi- and interdisciplinary collaborations, including those with technical fields and/or on sociotechnical problems and solutions.

In terms of future directions, CBG seeks a scholar who does innovative research in interrelated blue governance topics or emerging blue economy activities and/or marine/coastal conservation. The thematic emphasis of the Associate Professor position is open; candidates are asked to elaborate their research interests and plans in a research statement as part of the application. Those applicants with experience and/or interest in the governance and socioeconomic implications of blue carbon, deep-sea/seabed mining, aquaculture/mariculture, and/or multiuse conflicts and planning at sea (e.g., among economic, leisure/recreation, and conservation) are especially encouraged to apply. CBG seeks applicants using diverse methodological and theoretical perspectives and approaches, including but not limited to co-production/co-creation, benefit-sharing, decolonial methods, gender/feminist perspectives, GIS analysis, quantitative methods, and/or visual research methods.

The Associate Professor will also be encouraged to teach as a part of the position. Teaching will primarily be in Environmental Management & Sustainability Science and Techno-Anthropology, but also in other study programs at the University. Those with experience or interest in Problem-Based Learning are encouraged to apply. Due to teaching in Danish, applicants with Scandinavian language competences are encouraged to apply.

Finally, applicants with educations in the social sciences (e.g., anthropology, economics, geography, political science, sociology) and/or those from interdisciplinary fields (e.g., environmental studies/science, marine affairs, natural resource management, planning, policy studies, rural studies) are welcome. EU project experience is also viewed positively.

You may obtain further professional information from Associate Professor, Troels J. Hegland, +45 6171 8482, and [email protected].

Aalborg University provides outstanding research and education. For the third year in a row, we have been ranked Europe's best and the world's fourth best engineering university on U.S. News & World Report’s list of "Best Global Universities". Our research and educations are multidisciplinary and build on close collaborations with business and industry. This success also comes from our world-renowned PBL teaching model, which is based on solving ‘real’ problems of society. These collaborations and our acknowledged research contribute new insights, new solutions to societal matters and knowledge that are changing the world. More than 20,000 students are enrolled at Aalborg University, of which over 10% are international students from various countries worldwide. To support them, we have 3500 employees, divided between Aalborg University's main campus in Aalborg and our departments in Copenhagen and Esbjerg.

Qualification requirements: 

The level of qualification for Associate Professors shall correspond to the level, which can be achieved on the basis of the appointment as Assistant Professor, but may be achievable in other ways. The appointment presupposes that the applicant can demonstrate original scientific production at an international level as well as documented teaching qualifications. Appointment to the position requires that both research and teaching qualifications are at the requested level. The two qualifications will be given equal and principal priority in the overall assessment.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 10 publications.
• Teaching qualifications described in the teaching portfolio.  If this is not enclosed the applicant must include an explanation for its absence.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position.
• References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below. 

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Søren Kjelst Klausen by mail [email protected] or phone (+45) 9940 3939.

Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force, teaching portfolio and procedures can be seen here  

Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.

(2022-224-05080)

19/02/2023