The Department of Culture and Society at Aarhus University, Denmark invites applications for an assistant professorship in Russian studies.

The assistant professorship is available for a period of three years, and subject to appropriate funding, there will be an opportunity to apply for a subsequent associate professorship. The position is available from 1 August 2014.

The position
The Department of Culture and Society seeks to appoint a gifted researcher and teacher to develop the promising field of contemporary Russian studies to the highest international level in collaboration with the department’s other fields of study.

Research
We are looking for a candidate with a strong research profile in Russian society and culture, in particular the Soviet and post-Soviet eras in their social contexts.
The position involves research based in any relevant field, including history, anthropology, sociology, political science or cultural and literary studies or area studies. Commitment to and experience of interdisciplinary research, as well as ability to place Russian developments in their broader European, Eurasian and/or global contexts, would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will join the Eastern European studies programme, which cooperates closely with the programmes in European studies and international studies. He or she will join “Modern Europe,” “Transnational Modernities” or another of the research programmes of the Department of Culture and Society, please see this website.

Education
The successful candidate will teach and develop a range of BA and MA courses within the Eastern European studies programme Eastern European studies. Depending on the candidate’s research profile, he or she will be expected to contribute to related programmes within the department (e.g. European studies, international studies, history and anthropology). The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in teaching and curriculum development, including the application of innovative teaching methods such as collaborative student involvement.
The person appointed to the post will be obliged to complete a course in university teaching devised especially for assistant professors.

Talent development
The assistant professor will be expected to develop his or her supervision capabilities at both BA and MA levels.

Knowledge exchange
The future assistant professor will be expected to exchange knowledge with various sectors of society outside the university and to contribute actively to the general public debate in areas related to the position.

For further information about the position, please contact Degree Programme Director Peter Bugge at tel. +45 87162242 or by e-mail peter.bugge@cas.au.dk.

Qualifications
The successful candidate must have a PhD degree or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must also document:

- A high level of competence in the Russian language
- An internationally oriented research profile
- A relevant and internationally oriented publication profile
- Mastery of academic English in the classroom as the candidate will be expected to teach courses in English
- Interest and experience in teaching, including innovative teaching methods
- Experience of or potential for obtaining external research funding.

Applications are invited from all interested scholars, irrespective of gender or citizenship. No prior knowledge of Danish is required as teaching can initially be conducted in English. There will be a requirement to learn Danish within two years of the appointment, and appropriate support will be given for this purpose.

The assistant professor must contribute to the faculty’s research and teaching environment by being present on a daily basis. We emphasise the importance of good working relationships, both among colleagues and to our students.

The application must be submitted in English.

For more information about the application and the employment procedure, please contact HR Partner Louise Søndergaard by e-mail ls@hum.au.dk.

Research environment
Russian studies are a core element in our BA and MA area studies programme in Eastern European studies. The programme has a special focus on historical, cultural, political and social developments of contemporary relevance in the areas of Europe which were under communist rule until 1989. The study of the Russian language forms the foundation for the study of Russia and the post-Soviet space, while the study of the former Yugoslavia and Southeastern Europe is based on the command of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. We also have a solid research profile in East Central European studies.

Our approach to education and research is strongly interdisciplinary; as a consequence, we cooperate closely with colleagues from European studies and international studies as well as from international and global history and other programmes. This cooperation includes research and teaching at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Our staff members are international, like our student body and the programme itself - which we view as a major asset.

Department of Culture and Society
Eastern European studies are anchored at the Department of Culture and Society, where the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

- From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
- From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
- From familiar Danish cultural forms to other very different worlds
- From local questions to global challenges.

The department’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The department has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education.

For a more detailed description of the department, please visit this website (http://www.au.dk/en/about/job/hum/academicpositions/)

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

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University’s research, education, talent development and knowledge exchange activities.

With its 800 academic staff members, 300 PhD students, 13,000 BA and MA students, and 2,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the Department of Aesthetics and Communication, the Department of Culture and Society, the Department of Education, the Centre for Teaching Development and Digital Media, and the AU Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Each of these units has strong academic environments that form the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty’s research and teaching activities take place within the context of extensive international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in close interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en/

Formalities
- The Faculty of Humanities refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
- Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

-Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
-Further information on application and relevant enclosures may be found in the Guidelines for applicants for academic positions.
-Teaching portfolio, degree certificate (copy), curriculum vitae, complete list of publications and verified information on previous teaching experience must be submitted with the application.
-When you submit your application, please upload a maximum of five samples of your scholarly output.

All interested are urged to apply irrespective of personal background.

Deadline
All applications must be made online and received by 8 April 2014

Please apply online here
http://www.au.dk/en/about/job/hum/academicpositions/

Aarhus University offers an inspiring education and research environment for 44,500 students and 11,500 members of staff, ensuring results of a high international standard. The budgeted turnover for 2014 amounts to DKK 6.2 billion. The university's strategy and development contract are available at www.au.dk/en.