Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Economic History at the Faculty of Humanities

The Saxo Institute, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applicants for a tenure-track assistant professorship in economic history.

The position is a permanent, full-time position available from 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. As an assistant professor in a permanent position, your employment will change to employment as an associate professor after a maximum of six years, under the condition that you submit a request for the assessment of your professional qualifications, and you are deemed qualified for the position of associate professor.

Job description
The Saxo Institute seeks a talented researcher to fill a position as tenure-track assistant professor in economic history with a primary focus within the period c . 1500-1900. Applicants with a demonstrated interest in European economic history are encouraged to apply.

We seek a promising candidate with a dynamic profile in economic history, broadly defined. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research focuses on continuity and change in structures and interests informing economic, social-economic, and political-economic activity. The successful candidate must document deep historical and empirical expertise within their field.

Research topics relevant to the position can range widely – they may encompass but are in no way limited to topics such as the generation and distribution of wealth; gender, labour and reproduction; or the role of technology in economic development and innovation. Candidates working on geographical areas outside Europe are encouraged to describe how their research connects to wider European developments.

At the Saxo Institute, we value diversity in theoretical approaches and research methodologies and therefore invite applications from all candidates whose research profile fits the description above. The tenure track assistant professor will be part of and contribute to the institute’s diverse research activities in, for example, seminar series and/or research clusters.

For the six-year tenure-track period, the successful applicant must document an original and compelling research plan, which complements and strengthens the research profile of history at the Saxo Institute and at UCPH more generally.

Documented experience in research-based teaching, cultivating international research networks, involvement in collaborative research initiatives, and grant applications will be a distinct advantage.

The candidate will play an active role in teaching and supervising students in the BA and MA programmes in history. Teaching obligations include area courses and a compulsory BA-course introducing relevant political science and economic methodology to history students. Demonstrating a potential for contributing to the Saxo Institute’s educational activities more broadly will be considered an advantage.

The position involves a portfolio of tasks that requires a regular presence at the institute, except for research leaves during the six-year tenure-track period (one semester every three years).

The Saxo Institute is dedicated to the study of human societies past and present, with degree programs ranging from History to Ethnology, Archaeology, Classical Languages, and Migration Studies. With some 1400 students and a staff of 100 employees, the Institute offers a variety of research and library facilities, servicing a vibrant community of tenured scholars, project and visiting researchers, and graduate students.

Tenure-track assistant professor
A tenure-track assistant professorship is a six-year, fixed-term academic position involving both research and teaching. The successful candidate must complete a mandatory teacher-training course designed especially for assistant professors. The tenure-track assistant professor must be able to contribute to individual and group-based research and research-based publishing, meeting high international standards, and contribute to the faculty’s activities, including examinations and administration. The responsibilities also include teaching, supervision, and examination of undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore, the position includes administrative responsibilities, and communicating research findings to the public in general, and to the stakeholders of the Saxo Institute.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor assumes research qualifications equal to at least a PhD degree. Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered. Applicants’ outreach qualifications, including the ability to attract external funding, will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates.

Within a reasonable period (3-6 years), non-Danish-speaking appointees are expected to acquire proficiency in Danish sufficient to be able to interact with colleagues and students.

Application
Applications must be submitted online. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of this advertisement to apply. The application must be written in English and include the following enclosures in Adobe PDF or Word format:

• Letter of motivation.
• Certificates and diplomas (including PhD diploma).
• Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked with*.
• Research plan, including a short description of previous research and a plan for the coming years that includes an account of involvement in organising research, establishment of research seminars, symposia, and congresses, etc.
• Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of five publications for assessment, of which at least two must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for applications. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavours, the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the work must be clearly specified. A signed statement from the co-authors specifying the extent and nature of everyone’s contribution must be included.

Only material in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish will be assessed.

Recruitment procedure
After the application deadline, the Head of Institute selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Head of Institute subsequently appoints an expert assessment committee tasked with carrying out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Applicants are ultimately offered the opportunity of commenting on the part of the assessment relating to themselves before the appointment is finalized.

Salary and conditions of employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts for Assistant Professor at DKK 40,600 (EUR 5,400) + a 17.1% contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds. For more information on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see here .

Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR South and City Campuses email: Please refer to case number: 211-0231/24-2N, #1.

The deadline for applications is 29 January 2025 23:59 CET.

Applications or enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.