PhD Scholarship in Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Education, Work and Professional Practices

Jobbeskrivelse
At the Department of Culture and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aalborg University, a PhD Scholarship in PhD Scholarship in Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Education, Work and Professional Practices is open for appointment from December 1st., 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is a full-time fixed term of 3 years and includes both research and teaching activities.

Your work tasks

We invite applications for a PhD scholarship investigating the transformations and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for education and professional practice, both at the individual level and/or in collaborative contexts. The project should explore how AI and other emerging digital technologies shape and transform work tasks, processes, and practices, and how educational institutions prepare students to navigate these changes and contribute to the development and implementation of AI. The project may draw on perspectives from organizational theory, the learning sciences, digital transformation, digital technologies, human-computer interaction, and related fields.

Within the specific field, the PhD student will engage in both research and dissemination activities.

The PhD student is, in close dialogue with their main supervisor, expected to identify and refine their own research focus and develop an original and independent line of research within the field. As part of the application, applicants are expected to outline a project description (min. 5 pages, as mentioned below) in which the applicant suggests the framework for such a project, pointing out, for instance, research questions, theoretical considerations, approach, relevant literature and timeline.

Responsibilities and competencies

Research

PhD students are expected to develop and complete a PhD thesis at a level corresponding to international research standards within the relevant field. This includes the ability to produce high-quality, peer reviewed research outputs, such as publications in recognised academic journals and/or contributions to books or anthologies. PhD students are also expected to actively disseminate their research to academic peers as well as to broader audiences beyond academia.
As part of their research training, PhD students should develop a clear and well-defined research profile that demonstrates academic maturity and the ability to collaborate within their field of expertise. Engagement in research environments beyond the host institution is expected, for example through shorter or longer research stays at other research institutions. In addition, PhD students are expected to build knowledge of external research funding opportunities and funding strategies as part of their academic development.
PhD students carry out an independent research project under supervision, develop their own research profile, and contribute actively to the research environments at Aalborg University as well as to national and/or international research collaborations.

Teaching

It is a mandatory part of the PhD programme to gain experience in teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination related to the student’s PhD project.
Aalborg University applies a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. Documented experience with PBL (such as project supervision, facilitation of group processes, and development of PBL-based learning activities) will be considered an advantage. Candidates without documented PBL experience are expected to complete a PBL training course within the first year of employment.
The successful candidate will most likely be expected to undertake teaching, supervision, and examination duties within the bachelor programme in Communication and Digital Media, the master programme in Information Science, the master programme in Information Technology, specializing in ICT, Learning and Organizational Change or the continuing education programme in IT and Learning. Information about the academic content of the programmes is available here:

https://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/bachelor/kommunikation-og-digitale-medier-aalborg, https://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/kandidat/informationsvidenskab, https://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/kandidat/it-laering-organisatorisk-omstilling and https://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/efteruddannelse/master/it-og-laering.

Organizational and Academic Leadership
PhD students are expected to build and maintain professional working relationships both internally and externally. PhD students should contribute to a collegial academic environment by acting as sparring partners for colleagues and students in their daily work, as agreed.

Active participation in the professional and social life of the department, section, and relevant study programmes (e.g. study boards) is expected. PhD students should demonstrate an interest in placing their research and teaching within a broader societal context and be able to communicate their research in ways that are relevant and accessible to external stakeholders.

Who we are

The Department of Culture and Communication deals with human life in its complexity. We ask fundamental questions about life and contribute knowledge about how human beings create meaning, interact, flourish and participate in society. The Department has activities at both Campus Aalborg and Campus Copenhagen. Read more about the Department here.
The position will be affiliated with either the research group It and Learning Design (https://www.ikk.aau.dk/forskning/forskningsgrupper/l-ild and https://www.ikk.aau.dk/forskning/forskningsgrupper/kild), the research group Collaboratory for Human-Centered Immersive Problem-Solving Spaces (https://vbn.aau.dk/da/organisations/collaboratory-for-human-centered-immersive-problem-solving-spaces) or Purposeful Technology Lab (https://vbn.aau.dk/da/organisations/purposeful-technology-lab/), depending on the candidate’s research project.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Please visit the website of the doctoral school for further information on admission requirements.

Since the position involves supervision, teaching, and examination in Danish, applicants who do not speak Danish are expected to acquire the necessary language skills within one to two years of appointment.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades)
• Project description (minimum 5 pages). Read more about the project description
• Applicants WHO are planning to complete a doctoral thesis in English and who do not have English as a first language or WHO have not completed an English language-based Master's programme (or an equivalent educational achievement in English) shall provide documentation that they have passed one of the following official tests with the respective minimum score: IELTS (band score): 7, TOEFL (paper-based): 600, TOEFL (internet-based): 100. The language test must be no more than five years old at the time of the application. Read more on how to document your English qualifications.
• Other relevant documents

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

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement).

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “PhD Fellow”.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Marianne Lykke: +4599408157, [email protected]
• Kristine Bundgaard: +4599403292, [email protected]
• HR Support: +4599403031, [email protected]

Ansøgningsfrist
19-10-2026

Ref. nummer
2026/1119

Afdeling
Department of Culture and Communication