Assistant Professor, AI, Innovation and Digital Transformation

Do you want to contribute to high-quality research in Generative AI, innovation and the diffusion of digital technologies? Aalborg University Business School is seeking a motivated new colleague for a four-year position as Assistant Professor to join the Innovation, Knowledge and Economic dynamics (IKE) Group. This is a full-time position available from January 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your work tasks

We are seeking applicants with a dedicated research agenda on the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies, including AI, and on what they mean for firms, organisations and innovation. Relevant topics include barriers to adoption and implementation, organisational change and the reorganisation of work, capabilities and skills, and public procurement of innovation.

As our new colleague, you will join a dynamic research environment and are expected to contribute actively to the continued development of the group's research on technology diffusion and digital transformation. You are also expected to engage actively in joint IKE activities. Your primary research focus will be within innovation and technology dynamics, and we expect you to combine organisational and qualitative insights with computational and data science methods.

Within the IKE group, we value a diversity of methodological approaches, spanning from quantitative analysis of register, survey, and patent data to various qualitative methods. If you have an interest in, or experience with, computational social science methods (for example natural language processing, network analysis, or machine learning applied to large text, register and patent data), there is ample opportunity to apply and develop these skills within the group. In addition to research, you will play an important role in our educational programmes. You will deliver teaching at the undergraduate and master’s levels. You will contribute to teaching core disciplines in our bachelor programmes in Economics and Business Administration (HA/EBA) and on the MSc in Economics and Business Administration, in particular the Business Data Science specialisation.

Your responsibilities will include lecturing, supervising student projects, and engaging in Problem Based Learning (PBL), which is central to Aalborg University’s pedagogical model. While the position focuses on research and teaching, you will also to a lesser extent undertake coordination and administrative tasks related to your educational obligations.  You will be expected to be present at the business school at least three days a week.

Your Competencies
We are looking for a colleague with a strong academic foundation and a dedicated research agenda within  generative AI, innovation, technology diffusion and digital transformation. You must have a relevant PhD and competences within Data Science and computational methods. We are particularly interested in candidates who can combine qualitative and organisational research with computational analysis of large-scale data, rather than working exclusively within one of the two traditions. We value candidates who can bridge theoretical concepts with practical application, and it will be an advantage to have a proven track record or a strong inclination towards supervising student projects and designing engaging coursework.

For the research aspect, we are looking for candidates motivated to produce internationally recognised work. When you apply for the position as Assistant Professor, we expect you to show high potential and a keen interest in pursuing publications in top-tier journals.

On a personal level, we are seeking a team player who will engage actively in joint activities within the IKE Group. You should thrive in a collaborative environment that involves working on externally funded research projects. Regarding language skills, the main working language at Aalborg University Business School is English. Danish language skills are not required at the time of employment. Please note that non-Danish speaking employees will undergo a course in basic Danish language qualifications within the first two years of employment.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. For the current position, the PhD degree or equivalent documented research training must be within research fields that are relevant to the position and to Aalborg University Business School’s research focus. 

Who we are

You will become part of the Research Group on Innovation, Knowledge, and Economic Dynamics (IKE) at Aalborg University Business School. The IKE Group has a history spanning over 40 years and is internationally recognised for its work on innovation systems, learning economies and industrial dynamics. The group’s research culture emphasizes the interplay between different methodological approaches and fosters a collaborative spirit. We are situated within a Business School that values societal impact and close interaction with the surrounding ecosystem.

How to apply

Your application must include the following: 

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. You must submit a co-author statement, see template for co-author statement 
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. Please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. 
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position 
• References/recommendations 

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.    

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. 

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into the workplace and Danish society. 

Danish language courses will be offered as part of the employment. 

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.     

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into the workplace and Danish society. 

Further information 

Read more about our recruitment process here   

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

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. 

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) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

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 “Assistant professor”.

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.