The Department of History, School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University invites applications for a fixed-term postdoctoral position in medieval history, lasting for three years. The position is full-time (37 hours/week) and begins on 01.01.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. Aarhus 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. Members of the academic staff at the School of Culture and Society are expected to contribute to a vibrant, enjoyable and friendly work environment. We emphasise the importance of active participation in the daily life of the department.

Place of employment
Nobelparken, Jens Chr. Skous Vej, 8000 Aarhus C. The successful applicant is expected to be present at the department on a daily basis.

The position
The position is affiliated with the AUFF research project “Undeutsche - racism as social practice in Medieval Prussia and Livonia” (link) headed by Professor Cordelia Hess. The research project studies the development of concepts of race and racism in the colonial contact zones in Eastern Europe, namely, the historical landscapes and territories of Pomerania, Prussia and Livonia. The postdoc project will specifically work with the sources of the urban administrations in the region during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Qualifications and requirements
The successful applicant is expected to:

• develop their research within the general framework of the project, in close cooperation

with the project team

• present their research at national and international events and publish results in peer-

reviewed, international scientific journals in a timely fashion

• actively participate in the daily on-site working environment at Aarhus University
• contribute to research grant applications
• initiate and help to organize research workshops, conferences and other such activities.

Applicants for this position must hold a Ph D degree in history or related fields (Medieval Studies, European Studies etc.) or be at Ph D level, and must be able to document:

• language skills relevant for the project (Latin, German, and/or a Slavic language)
• the ability and willingness to engage in close collaboration with the team and the local

research environment, and

• fluency in written and spoken English

Ideally, applicants should also be able to document:

• experience of working with medieval manuscripts and archives
• familiarity with postcolonial theories and methods
• experiences in writing research grant applications

Teaching
The position will involve some teaching as agreed upon with the department head and the PI of the project.

In view of this, applicants are asked to submit:

• a project description (maximum three pages) in which they indicate how they will contribute

to the overall project. The project description should ideally demonstrate excellent
knowledge of the relevant philosophical and empirical literature

• a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (maximum one page), and

• a maximum of five publications or submitted papers (please note that a list of publications

is not enough, the papers must be uploaded with the application)

• 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.

The 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 ambition is to produce compelling research with an international resonance as well as to offer teaching and talent development of the highest quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society as a whole, 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/.

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.

Further information
For more information about the position, please contact Professor Cordelia Hess (c.hess@cas.au.dk).

For more information about applications, please contact HR supporter Gerd Cecilie Bech Thomsen (gebeth@au.dk).

Previously submitted applications will be taken into consideration unless they are withdrawn”

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.