Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Social and Environmental Assessment

Aalborg University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor within social and environmental assessment at the Danish Center for Environmental Assessment (DCEA), Department of Sustainability and Planning. 
As a tenure-track assistant professor, you are expected to develop an independent research agenda within the broad field of social and environmental assessment while contributing to the further development of DCEA’s research profile and collaborative research activities. In particular, the position relates to DCEA’s strategic ambition to strengthen the understanding and practice of social dimensions in environmental assessment, including both Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the integration of social perspectives in environmental assessment tools, planning processes, and sustainability governance.
The successful candidate will contribute to teaching in the Department’s bachelor’s and master’s programmes and participate actively in the collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment at DCEA.
The position is full-time and based in Aalborg, with employment starting on July 1st or soon hereafter.

Your work tasksThe research areas will be within the broad field of social and environmental assessment and related planning and decision-making processes. As a tenure-track assistant professor, you are expected to develop an independent research agenda that advances knowledge on the role of social dimensions in environmental assessment and sustainability transition.

The position is particularly relevant for research addressing Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as an assessment practice in its own right as well as research exploring how social perspectives, impacts, and societal considerations can be integrated into environmental assessment tools and processes such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and related governance and planning frameworks.

The research agenda may focus on one or more sectors such as land-use, biodiversity, water, raw materials and extraction industries, or other areas of environmental governance and planning. The research may draw upon theoretical perspectives related to sustainability, decision-making, governance, societal impacts, or related approaches.

The successful candidate will participate in relevant ongoing research projects and contribute to the development of new collaborative research initiatives within DCEA, including the preparation of externally funded research proposals and engagement in national and international research networks.

As a Tenure Track Assistant Professor, you will contribute to the teaching of the Department of Sustainability and Planning’s bachelor and master’s programmes, especially the bachelor programmes in Urban, Energy and Environmental Planning and the master’s programmes in Environmental Management and Sustainability Science., both in English and in Danish. Knowledge of Danish or another Scandinavian language is therefore an advantage. Alternatively, the candidate should be willing to learn Danish within the first two years of employment.

As part of the position, you are offered the possibility to undertake the course in university pedagogy for Assistant Professors at Aalborg University. The course is a comprehensive, research-based pedagogical competence development course that provides Assistant Professors with the pedagogical and didactic foundation for a permanent career at Aalborg University (or another higher education institution).

Preferred applicants have documented research experience related to social impact assessment and/or the integration of social aspects in environmental assessment and sustainability governance. Applicants are expected to demonstrate experience with interdisciplinary research, collaboration with societal stakeholders, and engagement with environmental decision-making processes. Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, or the ability to combine different methodological approaches in interdisciplinary research, will be considered an advantage.

Experience with research project development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international research networks will be considered an advantage. Experience with, or strong potential for, developing externally funded research projects and competitive grant applications will be considered an advantage, and the successful candidate is expected to contribute actively to the development of collaborative research proposals within DCEA.

The successful candidate must have a high level of English language and communication skills, both in writing and verbally. Experience with problem-based learning, project supervision and coordination of teaching activities is an advantage. The tenure track assistant professor candidate has to demonstrate that she or he will be able to meet the requirements for holding an associate professor position at AAU.

Qualification requirementsApplicants 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 areThe Danish Centre for Environmental Assessment (DCEA) is Denmark’s leading research centre within environmental assessment. The centre conducts research at the intersection of assessment practice, decision-making, and governance and works in close collaboration with public authorities, private organisations, and civil society.
DCEA’s research strategy focuses on advancing environmental assessment as a key tool for supporting sustainable societal transitions. In particular, the centre seeks to strengthen research on the integration of social and environmental dimensions in assessment practices, including research on Social Impact Assessment and the role of environmental assessment in governance, planning, and sustainability transitions. 
DCEA is part of the Department of Planning at Aalborg University, which conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainable transitions, green energy, and planning. The department of Sustainability and Planning was established in 1975 and is located in two beautiful harbour-front locations in both Aalborg and Copenhagen. We have more than 250 employees and approximately 1,200 students across the two cities.
Our research and study programmes are rooted in sustainability and the green transition. This means we conduct research in areas such as the circular economy, technology, urban, energy, and environmental planning, as well as sustainable transition and design. Sustainability is central to our work in environmental assessment and marine management. In surveying and land use, sustainability is reflected in our efforts in nature restoration and climate adaptation.
As society continues to develop digitally, we also focus on responsible technological development, addressing real-life challenges. Our problem-oriented approach and close collaboration with businesses and public organisations form the foundation of all our study programmes. Additionally, our engineering programmes are among the best in Europe.
DCEA offers a vibrant international research environment with strong engagement in interdisciplinary projects and collaboration with both academic partners and societal stakeholders. 
As part of its strategy, DCEA aims to further strengthen the international diversity of its research environment, and therefore welcome applications from candidates with different academic, cultural, and international backgrounds.

You can read more on DCEA here.

You can read more on TECH as a workplace here.

You can read more on Department of Sustainability and Planning here.

Assessment in connection with transfer to associate professorshipThe 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 Head of Research Group and Professor Lone Kørnøv,+45 2310 4448, bwhitelonekashleykinglauren43@kellyhollandbenson-garrettplan.aau.dk
You will also find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

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 employmentThe 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.