Assistant Professor of Humanities

University of Copenhagen

Denmark

Application deadline: 23 November 2025, 23:59 CET
Start date: 1 June 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Employment type: Full-time, tenure-track (6 years)
Location: Saxo Institute – Archaeology, Ethnology, History, and Classical Languages, South Campus, Copenhagen

The Position

The Saxo Institute, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in medieval history, with a primary focus on early medieval history.

We seek a talented and promising researcher with a dynamic profile in political, cultural, social, and/or economic history. The successful candidate will join a diverse and collaborative department and contribute to the Institute’s research clusters, seminar series, and teaching programmes.

Job Description

The successful candidate is expected to:

Conduct and publish high-quality research in early medieval history.
Develop and pursue an independent and original research plan that complements and strengthens the Institute’s existing research profile in medieval history.
Participate actively in collaborative research, including grant applications and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Teach and supervise students in the BA and MA programmes in History, including compulsory BA courses and area studies.
Contribute to the dissemination of historical research to both academic and public audiences.
Engage in departmental and administrative duties and maintain regular presence at the Institute (except during research leave periods).

The position includes one semester of research leave every three years during the six-year tenure-track period.

About the Saxo Institute

The Saxo Institute is dedicated to studying human societies past and present, with programmes in History, Archaeology, Ethnology, Classical Languages, and Migration Studies.
The Institute hosts approximately 1,400 students and 100 staff members, offering a vibrant research and teaching environment with excellent facilities and several leading research centres.

The Institute is located at UCPH’s South Campus in Copenhagen — a diverse and sustainable city with excellent transport, green spaces, and rich cultural life.

Tenure-Track Programme

A tenure-track assistant professorship is a six-year, fixed-term position combining research and teaching.
During this period, the successful candidate must:

Complete the mandatory teacher training programme for assistant professors.
Conduct individual and collaborative research meeting high international standards.
Contribute to the faculty’s teaching, examination, and administrative duties.
Engage in outreach and knowledge-sharing activities.

After a positive tenure review, the position can transition into a permanent associate professorship.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must hold research qualifications equivalent to at least a PhD in history or a related field.

Assessment will emphasize:

Documented internationally competitive research within early medieval history.
Teaching qualifications (if available) or demonstrated teaching potential.
Evidence of research dissemination, external funding, and collaborative engagement.
A clear and feasible research plan for the coming years.

Candidates working on non-European regions are encouraged to apply, provided their research connects meaningfully to European developments.

Within 3–6 years, non-Danish-speaking appointees are expected to acquire proficiency in Danish sufficient for participation in departmental activities and teaching.

Assessment Criteria

Applicants will be assessed according to the UCPH criteria for recognizing merit, which encompass six areas:

Research
Teaching
Societal impact
Organizational contribution
External funding
Leadership

Further details:
Criteria for recognizing merit – Assistant Professors (UCPH)

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online in English and include the following documents in PDF or Word format:

Motivated letter of application
Curriculum Vitae
Certificates and diplomas (including PhD)
Complete and numbered publication list (mark enclosed publications with *)
Research plan, including:
- Overview of past research
- Plan for future research
- Description of involvement in organizing research activities (seminars, symposia, etc.)
Teaching portfolio, including documentation of teaching experience and materials
Publications: Up to five publications (at least two from the last five years). Co-authored works must include statements of contribution signed by all co-authors.

Only material in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish will be assessed.

Recruitment Procedure

After the application deadline:

The Head of Institute, with advice from the Appointment Committee, selects candidates for assessment.
Selected candidates are evaluated by an expert assessment committee.
Applicants are notified of the committee composition and can comment on the part of the assessment that concerns them.

All applicants are informed whether they proceed to assessment.

More on the process:
Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen

Applicants may undergo security screening related to international research collaboration as part of recruitment.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The position is covered by the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

Starting salary: DKK 40,600 (approx. EUR 5,400) per month
Pension contribution: 18.07%
Additional salary supplements may be negotiated annually.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Copenhagen is an equal opportunity employer, committed to reflecting the diversity of society. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of personal background.