Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Philosophy

The University of Copenhagen seeks to appoint a visionary and team-oriented tenure-track assistant professor to commence 1 February, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Candidates should work in one of the main areas of philosophy (theoretical philosophy, practical philosophy, and/or history of philosophy). They will be expected to teach some of the main courses in the philosophy programme and must be able to teach topics within German or French philosophy after 1900. Teaching qualifications in additional subjects not covered by other faculty members are welcome. The successful candidate will be part of the Section for Philosophy and is expected to take an active part in the Section’s research activities (e.g., section seminars, reading groups, and talks) and collegial events (e.g., end-of-term gatherings).

Job description
The tenure-track assistant professors’ responsibilities primarily consist of:

• Research, including peer-reviewed publications and academic dissemination of results to the scientific community and the public.
• Develop, organize, and conduct research-based teaching related to the fields mentioned above.

Additionally, the following tasks fall under the responsibility of tenure-track assistant professors:

• Explore the societal perspective of their research through, e.g., research-based innovation.
• Contribute to an active academic environment.
• Applying for and managing funds for externally funded activities.
• Contribute to diversity and a good working environment.

A tenure-track assistant professorship is a six-year, fixed-term academic position involving both research and teaching. The successful candidate will be obliged to complete a teacher-training course designed especially for assistant professors and will be expected to be able to take part in all the activities of the Department, including examinations and administration.

Approximately six months before the end of the six-year period as tenure-track assistant professor, a committee will evaluate whether the assistant professor can be promotedto a tenured position as associate professor.

Read more about the tenure-track program at Copenhagen University here: Tenure track at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen

Qualification requirements:
The successful applicant should present ambitious research and teaching plans. When evaluating applicants, primary emphasis will be placed on the applicant's ability to document original scientific work of the highest international standard, and an innovative and visionary mindset. Engagement with and further development of the Philosophy Section’s research profile will be evaluated positively. The applicant should possess strong interpersonal competences that support an inclusive, open-minded and engaging teaching environment at BA and MA philosophy programs.

The applicant should have:

• Ph.D. level or equivalent qualifications within philosophy
• a research profile within one of the above-mentioned areas of philosophy
• teaching experience and a strong commitment to the development of innovative and research-based teaching

Further information on qualification requirements as assistant professor can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities here: Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (In Danish only).

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.

For more information on careers at UCPH, and more general information about assistant professorships and qualification requirements, please follow the links below: Career at The University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in this job advertisement.

Overall criteria for a position at the University of Copenhagen:

Five overall criteria (Research, Teaching, Innovation and Societal Impact, Organizational Contribution, and Leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates at each academic level.

For assistant professors, this framework includes the following criteria:

Research
Assistant professors must demonstrate intellectual originality, develop their research profile and provide valuable contributions to research-based knowledge.

Teaching
Assistant professors provide research-based teaching within one or more disciplines. 

Innovation and Societal Impact
Assistant professors can give their research a societal perspective and explore how it can benefit societal progress through, for example, research-based innovation, entrepreneurship, public-sector services, consultancy or dissemination.

Organizational Contribution
Assistant professors contribute to an active academic environment.

Leadership
Assistant professors have self-management skills, including management of their own projects. 

More detailed information about the criteria for assistant professors is available here: 5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf

Application
Please submit your application online. To apply, please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of this page. The application must be written in English, and include the following attachments in PDF or Word format:

• CV (max. three pages)
• Cover letter (max. one page)
• Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates, PhD diploma, etc.)

• Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

• Peer-reviewed publications:
  • Monographs and anthologies
  • Articles in journals
  • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.
• Non-peer-reviewed publications:
  • Publications disseminating research findings, etc.

You can attach a maximum of 5 publications. The publication date must be clearly marked on the list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1-5. A minimum of 2 of the publications must have been published within the last 5 years prior to the application deadline. 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.

• Research plan (max. five pages).
• Teaching portfolio. Please refer to the UCPH guidelines for teaching portfolios available at:Job application portfolio – University of Copenhagen.

You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the faculty’s strategic landmarks here: Strategic landmarks – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

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

After the application deadline, the Head of Department will consider advice from the appointment committee and select applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. The Head of Department will then set up an expert assessment committee to assess the shortlisted applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. Each shortlisted applicant will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment before the appointment is announced.

Recruitment Process
You can find further information on our recruitment process at: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

Salary and Terms 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). It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

In addition, the applicant appointed will receive a start-up account of EUR 2,000 e.g. to cover
expenses for research assistance, fees and travel expenses for conferences and courses etc.: Tenure-track employment – University of Copenhagen

Place of Employment
The section for Philosophy is part of The Department of Communication (KOMM). The department is the largest department in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Copenhagen. The department has approximately 2,000 students and 200 employees, including 80 faculty members. We offer six bachelor's and seven master's programs: Cognition & Communication, Film and Media Studies, Philosophy, Information Studies, Communication and IT, Pedagogy, and Rhetoric. Research at KOMM is organized into eight sections and four centers, and the programs are organized around subject groups. The department is characterized by strong academic expertise, an international outlook, and close contact with stakeholders in society. The department's researchers are leaders in their fields, participate in public debates, and contribute to the development of society. The programs at the department are highly sought after, and graduates have high professional competencies and the latest knowledge within their fields.

International Applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about our services at: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. To learn more about our diverse workplace and our participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in research, please visit HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

Contact Information
For more Information about the recruitment process, please contact HR at: [email protected]. Please refer to ID number 211-0259/26-2N, #1.

For additional information about the position, please contact Head of Department Esben Nedenskov Petersen, email: [email protected], phone +45 93565993.

The Application Deadline is 14 September 2026 at 23:59 [CEST].

Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered. However, changes may be made to the submitted application right up until the deadline.

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