Two Postdoctoral positions in the research project ‘Nordatlantiske Hverdagshistorier’ at the Department of Anthropology

Aarhus Universitet (AU)

The Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for two 18-month postdoctoral positions in the research project ‘North Atlantic Everyday Histories’ (Nordatlantiske Hverdagshistorier) financed by the Velux Foundations Museums Programme 2024-2027. The project is a comparative examination of everyday life over time through local oral histories and vernacular archives in Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.

The appointments begin on September 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place of employment: Aarhus University, Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society, Moesgaard Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark.

The university is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background. Research context
We are looking for two innovative scholars with a background in social anthropology, history, cultural heritage studies, or related disciplines, preferably with a specialisation in oral histories, vernacular archives, memory work, and living cultural heritage. Experience with sound recording equipment, sound editing, and podcast production as well as experience with video-filming is an advantage but not a prerequisite for applying. Fluency in written and spoken Icelandic or Faroese, and English is also an advantage. About the research project
What roles do oral histories and family archives play in understandings of history and how can these be collected, registered, and communicated in new ways? Based in interdisciplinary collaborations with local, regional, and national partners and institutions in Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark, the project ‘North Atlantic Everyday Histories’ preservesand communicates oral histories and family archives, providing new knowledge of their importance to our collective history. The project integrates three significant approaches within contemporary anthropology and cultural heritage research: affect, narrative, and material theory, and contributes to scientific knowledge-sharing, digitization of site-specific histories and archival material, and to the communication of shared north Atlantic cultural heritage based in experimental approaches to co-creation, workshops, and exhibition-making.

Read more about the project: https://veluxfoundations.dk/en/museums-projects-2023 The position A
The successful applicant is expected to:

contribute to the development of a comparative research design.
conduct six months of independent fieldwork in the Faroe Islands, preferably in Suðuroy, and more specifically around Tvøroyri, within the framework of the project.
present their research at international meetings and publish results in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
teach at BA and/or MA level (maximum 20%, by agreement).
contribute to the organization of an international conference at Aarhus University.
co-author and publish research results in textual and multimodal formats (in particular sound and video) together with the other project members.
Coordinate a local exhibition and contribute to a national exhibition within the framework of the project.

Teaching
The position will involve some teaching as agreed upon with the Head of the Department and the project PI. Knowledge exchange
The successful applicant will be expected to exchange knowledge with various sectors of society and to contribute actively to public debate in areas related to the position.

Applicants must submit:

a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (maximum two pages)
a maximum of five publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication. Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.
Certificates/Diplomas.
A CV (maximum two pages).
Teaching portfolio
If available: a project portfolio/ examples of multimodal works (photographs, film, sound work, artistic products, etc.). Such audio-visual materials can be included as links to external media webpages such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Qualifications
Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree or equal qualifications social anthropology, history, cultural heritage studies, or a related field.

Applicants must document:

an international research profile.
level of written and spoken Faroese and English, and the willingness to acquaint themselves with Faroese and Danish if they do not already have the necessary Danish skills.
qualitative research experience in the Faroe Islands.
familiarity with relevant methods, theories and critical texts related to oral history, (vernacular) archives, memory-work, affect-theory, narrative theory, material culture,
Experience with sound recording equipment, sound editing, and podcast production as well as experience with video-filming is an advantage but not a prerequisite for applying.

The position B:
The successful applicant is expected to:

contribute to the development of a comparative research design.
conduct six months of independent fieldwork in Iceland, preferably in Vestfirðir and more specifically around Ísafjörður, within the framework of the project.
present their research at international meetings and publish results in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
teach at BA and/or MA level (maximum 20%, by agreement).
contribute to the organization of an international conference at Aarhus University.
co-author and publish research results in textual and multimodal formats (in particular sound and video) together with the other project members.
Coordinate a local exhibition and contribute to a national exhibition within the framework of the project.

Applicants must submit:

a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (maximum two pages)
a maximum of five publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication. Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.
Certificates/Diplomas.
A CV (maximum two pages).
Teaching portfolio
If available: a project portfolio/ examples of multimodal works (photographs, film, sound work, artistic products, etc.). Such audio-visual materials can be included as links to external media webpages such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Qualifications
Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree or equal qualifications in social anthropology, history, cultural heritage studies, or a related field.
Applicants must document:

an international research profile.
level of written and spoken Icelandic and English, and the willingness to acquaint themselves with Icelandic and Danish if they do not already have the necessary Danish skills.
qualitative research experience in Iceland.
familiarity with relevant methods, theories and critical texts related to oral history, (vernacular) archives, memory-work, affect-theory, narrative theory, material culture,

Experience with sound recording equipment, sound editing, and podcast production as well as experience with video-filming is an advantage but not a prerequisite for applying.

Professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

The application must be submitted in English.

Please indicate in the headline of your cover letter which position you apply for.

For further information about the position, please contact: Christian Vium email: [email protected]

For more information about the application please contact HR supporter Helle Sindal, e-mail: [email protected] International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to read about the attractive working conditions and other benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a wide variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and an AU Expat Partner Programme. You can also find information about the taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU. The work environment
The key research environments related to the project are at the Department of Anthropology, and the Eye and Mind Lab.

Read about Department of Anthropology here: https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/anthropology

Read about the Eye and Mind Laboratory here: https://eyeandmind.dk/about/ School of Culture and Society
At the School of Culture and Society 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 local questions to global challenges.

The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school 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 further information about the school, please see http://cas.au.dk/en/.
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications. Formalities
The Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

Appointments shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation 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 the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
The application must outline the applicant's motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

Aarhus University also offers a junior researcher development programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. The application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts:shortlisting Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 240 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction withsociety.

Two Postdoctoral positions in the research project ‘Nordatlantiske Hverdagshistorier’ at the Department of Anthropology

Aarhus Universitet (AU)

Aarhus Universitet (AU)

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