Postdoc in Computational Empowerment in Formal Education

The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position studying computational empowerment in Danish K-12 education. The postdoc position is affiliated with the National Research Center for Technology Comprehension.

The postdoc position is a full time and two-year fixed-term position. The position begins on 1 September 2024 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

Providing children and youth with the skills and knowledge needed in a digitized society remains a pivotal challenge in formal education. The challenge is manifest across educational institutions all the way from primary education to university. At the National Research Center for Technology Comprehension at Aarhus University we are committed to addressing the challenges of digitization across educational levels, addressing the different institutional foci in close collaboration with practitioners, students and institutions. 

Postdoc position

The postdoc will focus on studying computational empowerment in K-12 education. The main part of the research will consist of empirical work involving interviews and observations taking place in K-12 education in Denmark. Also, the postdoc will take part in facilitating co-design workshops to develop tools and concepts to scaffold computational empowerment.

The postdoc will be a part of the National Research Center for Technology Comprehension led by Professor Ole Sejer Iversen and Associate professor Christian Dindler. Also, the applicant is invited to engage the Center for Computational Thinking and Design which brings together a broad range of researchers across a wide spectrum of Interaction Design, Child-Computer Interaction and Human-Computer Interaction topics. 

Qualifications

Applicants should have a strong proficiency in qualitative research as well as a strong theoretical understanding of child-computer interaction research or similar areas related to technology and education. The applicant must document previous experience in conducting research involving children and youth in relation to digital technologies in real life settings.

The applicant must have a PhD degree or equivalent qualification. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position: 

• an internationally oriented research profile within fields such as child-computer interaction, human-computer interaction, interaction design, learning sciences or computer supported cooperative learning documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications.

• experience in the self-directed management of research projects

• experience in interdisciplinary research projects

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

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to engage productively both within the research team and with external organizations and institutions. 

Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document

• a track record of research publications of a high international standard commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career 

• experience of participation in national and international research networks 

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

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

Teaching and supervision

As postdoc studying computational empowerment in formal education, 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 on BA and MA levels.

Please note that although the application process can be completed on the Aarhus University system without uploading publications, applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) 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 be present at the department on a daily basis.

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 the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

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), Christian Dindler by e-mail:

[email protected]

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

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Formalities

The Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities

(the Appointment Order)

.

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
Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 240 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

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