DIAS Fellow (Tenure-Track Assistant Professor) in Media Studies at the University of Southern Denmark – Denmark

Summary

The Department of Design, Media and Educational Science and the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor as a DIAS Fellow in Media Studies. Located in Odense M, Denmark, the position starts on 1 September 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The selected candidate will undertake research across media theory, digital cultures, social media, artificial intelligence, and media production, while actively contributing to teaching, supervision, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The role offers a defined tenure-track pathway toward a permanent associate professorship.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Design, Media and Educational Science
Position Type	Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
Discipline	Media Studies
Research Area	Media, culture, technology, and social change
Degree Required	PhD or equivalent qualifications in Media Studies
Experience	Relevant university-level teaching and supervision experience, documented through a teaching portfolio. Research and publication experience in Media Studies.
Salary	As of 1 August 2026, the annual salary for an Assistant Professor is DKK 480,224.96 before tax, plus an 18.07% pension contribution paid by SDU.
Funding	Salary governed by collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
Contract Duration	Tenure-track leading to a permanent associate professor position upon positive assessment.
Language	English, with an expectation to achieve Danish proficiency at CEFR B2 level within five years of appointment.
Deadline	2027-03-01
Required Documents	Application letter, Curriculum Vitae (CV), Certificates and diplomas, Complete list of publications, Research plan for the coming years, Teaching portfolio, Documentation of experience in knowledge exchange, collaboration and external funding, where relevant, Up to four relevant publications, Co-author statements for co-authored publications, Reference letters and other relevant qualifications, if available
Employer Address	Odense M, Denmark
Employer Contact	Alexandra Holsting, Head of Department (Email: [email protected]); Professor Susana Tosca, Head of Media Research Group (Email: [email protected]); Sten Rynning, DIAS Director (Phone: +45 6550 2193, Email: [email protected]); HR: [email protected]

About the Project

The role covers broad theoretical, empirical, and methodological approaches within Media Studies. Key topics include media theory, datafication, social media, artificial intelligence, creative practices, auditory and audiovisual media, and the societal, cultural, and technological impacts of media change.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a strong international research profile.
• Produce, publish, and disseminate high-quality research.
• Contribute to collaborative research initiatives, joint publications, and external funding applications.
• Teach and supervise students at Bachelor's and Master's levels, and undertake PhD supervision over time.
• Contribute to curriculum development in Media Studies.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary collaboration and academic life across the department and DIAS.

Required Skills

• PhD or equivalent qualifications in Media Studies.
• Fluency in English.
• Proven track record of research excellence and broad intellectual engagement.
• University-level teaching and supervision experience documented in a portfolio.
• Ability to engage in curiosity-driven research beyond traditional academic boundaries.

Who Should Apply

Researchers holding a PhD or equivalent qualifications in Media Studies who demonstrate curiosity-driven research excellence, fluency in English, university-level teaching experience with a teaching portfolio, and potential to secure external funding.

Benefits

• Tenure-track structure leading to a permanent associate professor position following positive evaluation.
• Annual follow-up, formal midterm evaluation, and mentoring support.
• Base annual salary of DKK 480,224.96 before tax, plus an 18.07% employer-paid pension contribution and local supplement negotiation options.
• Offered Danish language training for international staff.

About the Employer

The Department of Design, Media and Educational Science at the University of Southern Denmark has approximately 150 employees conducting research and teaching across media, design, education, and related fields. The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) is an interdisciplinary research hub at SDU promoting curiosity-driven research and cross-faculty collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 1 March 2027 at 23:59 CET.

What is the expected start date for this position?

The expected starting date is 1 September 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Are non-Danish speakers required to learn Danish?

Yes, non-Danish-speaking employees are expected to achieve Danish language proficiency at CEFR B2 level within five years of appointment, and language training is offered.

What is the career progression path for this tenure-track role?

Following a positive academic assessment before the end of the tenure-track period, the candidate will transfer to a permanent associate professor position without a new job advertisement.