Associate Professor in Children and Young People’s Wellbeing

The Department of Society and Politics at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aalborg University seeks an Associate Professor in Children and Young People’s Wellbeing for a permanent, full-time position at Campus Aalborg commencing on 1 February 2027, or soon thereafter. The position offers an opportunity to develop a research agenda in a field with clear relevance for children, young people, families, welfare services and social policy, and the possibility to be part of a thriving and ambitious research environment in the Section for Social Work.

Your work tasks    
As Associate Professor you are expected to develop and lead research within the field of children and young people’s social and mental wellbeing, e.g. their democratic and societal participation, their inclusion in meaningful communities, and the protection of children and young people from harm and exclusion. You are expected to contribute actively to relevant research groups, secure externally funded research projects and take part in international research activities. It will be an advantage if you have existing collaborations with practice; professionals, municipalities or organisations working with children and young people to contribute to the social impact of the Department. You will contribute to research grant applications, research leadership, and dissemination, and take active part in the AAU Mission for Children and Young People’s Wellbeing.

As Associate Professor, you will become part of the Section for Social Work, which consists of four research groups. You will contribute to a collegial academic environment, where research and teaching are developed in close dialogue with practice, public authorities and other external partners. The position has a central role in developing research-based knowledge about vulnerable children and young people and in ensuring that this knowledge informs education, professional practice and broader societal discussions.
You will teach and supervise students at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, primarily within the programmes Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Master of Science in Social Work and Master in Vulnerable Children and Young People, professional management. You will contribute to course development, coordination and the continued development of teaching based on problem-based learning. We expect you to participate actively in the everyday academic life of the department in Aalborg, including meetings, seminars and other academic activities.

Your competencies   
You hold a doctoral degree within social work, social sciences or a closely related discipline and have a well-established research profile within vulnerable children and young people’s wellbeing. You have a proven track record of international publishing in the field and can demonstrate the ability to develop a coherent research agenda with relevance for both academic scholarship and practice. You have experience of initiating, conducting and disseminating research projects, preferably including collaboration with external partners and a track record of securing external funding.
You have substantial experience of teaching and supervision at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. You are familiar with problem-based learning and can translate your research knowledge into teaching that supports students’ academic development, critical reflection and ability to work with complex social challenges. You communicate clearly in Danish and English and can engage constructively with students, researchers, practitioners and public-sector partners.
You approach collaboration with care, academic curiosity and professional integrity. You can organise complex research and teaching responsibilities independently while contributing actively to collective tasks and shared priorities. You value constructive academic dialogue and contribute to an inclusive environment in which colleagues and students can exchange perspectives, develop ideas and work together across disciplinary and organisational boundaries.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor but may also be obtained in other ways. 
It is a precondition that applicants have documented research at an international standard. In addition, applicants are assumed to have received supervision and pedagogical skills development and to have obtained a positive written assessment of their teaching qualifications.

Who we are    
The Department of Society and Politics at the Faculty of Social Sciences [Department of Society and Politics - Aalborg University] brings together several strong research disciplines within the social sciences. We pursue research at a high international level while developing knowledge that informs policy, improves practice and contributes to societal development. You will join a collegial community where researchers and teachers work together to develop study programmes, research projects and external partnerships.
In the Section for Social Work, you will be part of an academic community with four research groups and close connections between research, education and the professional fields that work with children, young people and families. We value careful academic dialogue, engaged teaching and a constructive working environment. The position gives you scope to shape your own research agenda while contributing to shared initiatives and responsibilities in a department where academic collaboration is an integrated part of daily working life.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor but may also be obtained in other ways.

It is a precondition that applicants have documented research at an international standard. In addition, applicants are assumed to have received supervision and pedagogical skills development and to have obtained a positive written assessment of their teaching qualifications.

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 ten publications. You must submit a co-author statement, see template for co-author statement 
- Documentation of teaching qualifications. Please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. 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.

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. The successful applicant is expected, with support from the university, to acquire Danish language skills over time and to be able to contribute to teaching in Danish within 2–5 years of employment, including grading and supervising students, at a level corresponding to the teaching undertaken.

Danish language courses will be offered as part of the employment.

Do you have any questions? 
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will 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 employment  
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “Associate professor.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.