The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for an associate professorship in Assyriology.

The position is a permanent, full-time position available from 1 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Introduction
The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies pursues language-based and thematic studies engaging topics related to language, culture, religion, and society, primarily in regions beyond Western Europe and the United States. Proficiency in cross-cultural competencies and knowledge of the complexity of the world are of vital importance in the globalised world, and carry substantial significance across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

The associate professor of Assyriology will be part of the Ancient Studies cluster at the department, which encompasses the subject areas Assyriology, Egyptology, Near Eastern Archaeology and Native American Languages and Cultures. The cluster offers full BA and MA degree programs in all four subjects. The curriculum has several co-taught courses across these four subjects. The cluster has a strong research profile, a track-record of providing students with training that makes them internationally competitive, and provides a collaborative and supportive research and work environment.

We are looking for a candidate who can enhance and develop the Assyriology BA and MA curriculum, and work productively with colleagues within the Ancient Studies cluster, the department, and across the faculty. We are particularly interested in candidates that have an awareness of the challenges that ‘small disciplines’ face and who can work creatively to raise the profile of Assyriology at KU. An active interest in recent digital and computer-aided approaches to the field would be particularly welcome, as would a general interest in inter-disciplinary research.

Applicants are invited to familiarize themselves with the Faculty’s strategic landmarks on the Faculty’s website: Strategic landmarks – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities of the chosen candidate will include contributing to the scholarly and intellectual life of the University by conducting world-class research and teaching. The future associate professor is also expected to develop the research area in synergy with researchers from other areas, and to exercise academic leadership. They will be able to take part in all the activities of the department, including examinations and administration. They will also manage research projects, provide pedagogical supervision and support for assistant professors, and sit on academic assessment panels.

The specific duties and responsibilities of the associate professor of Assyriology are to:

• Conduct internationally leading research in the field of Ancient Near Eastern studies with a focus on cuneiform script, one or more of the languages of ancient Mesopotamia, and the history and culture of Mesopotamia and adjacent regions from the 4th to the 1st millennium BC.
• Publish findings through articles in internationally leading journals and monographs for internationally recognised publishing houses, and contribute to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications.
• Apply for funding for research projects from both public and private funding bodies.
• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Akkadian and Sumerian, and Ancient Mesopotamian culture and history.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to enhance research, teaching, and learning within the university.
• Engage in the development of interdisciplinary courses and programs and show willingness to co-teach and create shared courses within the Ancient Studies cluster and beyond.
• Communicate research findings to the public and media effectively, enhancing the visibility and impact of the department's research.

You can find further information on careers for faculty and academic staff at UCPH here: Career at The University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Qualification requirements
Emphasis will be placed on the applicants having research and teaching qualifications corresponding to what can be achieved during a successful employment as an assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor.

Qualifications are expected within the following areas:

• A track record of high-quality research as evidenced by publications in internationally leading journals.
• Experience with and vision to foster interdisciplinary research, teaching, and impact.
• Success in obtaining research grants from public and/or private funding bodies.
• Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and research management.
• Documented teaching experience, including the ability of teach classes in both Danish and English.
• Experience of communicating research to the public/through media.

In addition, emphasis will be placed on the following professional and personal qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to instruct students in Sumerian and Akkadian at a high level.
• Experience in higher education curriculum development.
• Prerequisite teaching experience at both BA and MA level.
• Experience in the supervision of PhD students is desirable.
• Track-record in applying for research funding would be an advantage.
• Clearly visible teaching and/or research interests in one or more inter-disciplinary humanities field, e.g. digital humanities, environmental humanities etc.

Six overall criteria apply for associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement.

You can read more about the criteria UCPH criteria here: Criteria for recognising merit – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

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.

Further details about the qualification requirements for associate professor can be found in the ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2019 here: Overview (contents) (ufm.dk)

Application
Applications must be submitted online as Adobe PDF or Word files of max. 20Mb.

Please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page.

The application must be written in English and must include the following:

• Letter of motivation.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Certificates and diplomas, including PhD diploma.
• Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked with star*.
• 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.
• Teaching portfolio. Documentation of teaching qualifications and research dissemination (organisation of classes, materials, courses and other forms of teaching) Please consult the UCPH guide: Job application portfolio – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
• Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of five publications for assessment, of which at least three must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for applications. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and named from 1 to 5. Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavors, 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 enclosures in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, or English will be assessed.

Recruitment process
After the application deadline, the Dean selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Dean 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.

For further information about the position, please contact Head of Department Annika Hvithamar, email: [email protected]

Further information about the application procedure is available from HRSC, email: [email protected]. Please refer to case number 211-0622/24-2E #1

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 HR Excellence in Research – 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). The salary range starts at DKK 44,900, (EUR 6,000) + a 17,1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

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 these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

The deadline for applications is 5 August 2024 at 23:59 [CEST]

Kilde: Jobnet.dk