Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) or Associate Professor (Open Rank) in New Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen

The Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for one position as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (Open Rank) in New Testament Studies to be filled by 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description
The Section for Biblical Studies seeks to appoint one new faculty member in New Testament Studies. The call is open to candidates working in all aspects of New Testament and early Christian studies, including immediately adjacent fields. The successful candidate is expected to combine an active and internationally oriented research agenda with research-based teaching, collegiality, and a willingness to contribute constructively to the Danish research and pedagogical environment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• an active research agenda in New Testament Studies, early Christian studies, or immediately adjacent fields,
• a high level of the relevant language skills,
• methodological sophistication and commitment to collaboration,
• potential for, or documented experience with, research leadership, including grant applications and externally funded research,
• capacity and enthusiasm to teach a wide range of courses related to the curriculum of New Testament Studies at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, and
• collegiality and willingness to take an active part in the intellectual, administrative and communal life of the Section, Department and Faculty.

The position involves a commitment to take an active part in the faculty’s research environment and research-based teaching, including examination and supervision related to the theology programmes at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, open programmes, and any new areas of study. It also involves taking part in activities related to securing funding for and managing research projects, providing pedagogical supervision, and participating in academic assessments.

The successful candidate must be able to offer courses on New Testament Studies at all levels.

Department description
The department studies the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which are considered – to varying degrees foundational, normative, and sacred.
Our focus is on:

• the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and other formative documents of ancient Judaism (including, for example, Dead Sea Scrolls and Hellenistic Jewish sources),
• the New Testament and other formative documents of early Christian studies (including, for example, ancient Jewish and non-canonical Christian sources),
• the Qur'an and its earliest traditions and commentaries.

Our research and teaching encompass the various exegetical traditions, historical contexts, material cultures, and reception histories that emerge around each of these three collections of sacred writings.

Qualification requirements
The position requires scientific qualifications such as a PhD degree in the field of New Testament Studies, including studies in early Christian studies or other immediately adjacent fields. Appointment will be made at Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level according to the applicant’s qualifications and the applicable rules at the University of Copenhagen.

Appointment as a tenure track assistant professor assumes research qualifications at least at PhD level. Candidates must be able to document competences in research as well as teaching. Candidates are expected to document scholarly research production at an international level and must demonstrate the potential to make a significant impact in their field at both local and international levels.

Appointment as an associate professor assumes research and teaching qualifications corresponding to the level of associate professor. Candidates must be able to document an established record of scholarly research production at an international level, teaching experience, and the ability to contribute independently to research, teaching, administration, collaboration and the academic development of the field.

In connection with the overall assessment of the individual applicant, emphasis is placed on the applicant’s research and teaching potential and/or documented experience within the fields described above.

Within a reasonable period (normally within 3–6 years), a non-Danish-speaking appointee will be required to acquire proficiency in Danish sufficient to teach in Danish as well as interact in Danish with colleagues and students.

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.

A special tax scheme is offered to researchers recruited from abroad, see Tax – University of Copenhagen

If the appointment is made at assistant professor level, it will be as a tenure track assistant professorship with a duration of six years. The main responsibilities consist of research, teaching, societal impact activities, departmental service tasks, and administration. The ideal candidate must complete the university’s Teaching and Learning in Higher Education programme. The Department will appoint a mentor for the assistant professor.

At the end of the sixth year of employment, the Dean will set up an assessment committee for the purpose of evaluating the basis for a promotion to associate professor. For more information about tenure track assistant professorships at the University of Copenhagen: Tenure track at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen

If the appointment is made at associate professor level, the position will involve research, research-based teaching, supervision and examination, societal impact activities, departmental service tasks, administration, and participation in the further development of the Faculty’s research and teaching environment.

Information about the criteria for recognising merit for appointments as Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate professor can be found here:
5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf
5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf

Further information on qualification requirements as Tenure Track Assistant Professor and Associate Professor can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2025 (in Danish) here: Bekendtgørelse om stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale ved universiteter

Application
Applications must be submitted via the electronic application system. Click on the link provided below to be taken to the online application form.

The application must include the following enclosures:

• Cover letter (Letter of Motivation) (applicants are encouraged to consult UCPH criteria for recognising merit: Criteria for recognising merit – University of Copenhagen
• CV, highlighting experience with research and teaching, including interdisciplinary and collaborative endeavours, as well as the relevant language skills and experience from international and/or Danish research and pedagogical environments.
• Documentation of degrees/diplomas, including documentation of the PhD degree.
• Publication list (a complete list of publications).
• Teaching portfolio. For more information regarding the expected contents of the teaching portfolio, applicants are encouraged to consult the University guidelines for teaching portfolios when appointing academic staff at the University of Copenhagen.
• Research plan. An outline of planned research activities, including publication plans and plans for applications for external funding. The research plan should include a presentation of the applicant’s envisaged contribution to the research in the Section.
• Publications. A maximum of five (5) scientific publications that the applicant wishes to have included in the assessment, of which no more than two (2) may be monographs.
• Co-author declarations. If citing work where the applicant has been a co-author, a co-author declaration, which addresses the applicant's share of these works, must be submitted. Material that has not yet been published can be submitted. However, please indicate the precise status of each publication.
• Names and contact details of three references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the applicant.

Application procedure
The application, appendices and the submitted scientific publications must be uploaded electronically using the link below. We advise you to have the above-mentioned documents ready before you begin to fill out the online application form, and it is essential that all required documents are enclosed.

Following the application deadline, the Dean selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. Applicants are selected on the basis of an overall assessment of the applicants that best match the recruitment needs of the Faculty as described in this advertisement for the post. At the shortlisting stage, particular attention will be paid to the applicant's cover letter, CV, documentation of PhD degree, publication list, teaching profile, and research/development plan.

University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all interested parties regardless of personal background to apply for the position. Women and candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. According to the University of Copenhagen’s “Action Plan for Career, Gender and Quality – Equal Opportunities in Research and Management” there is to be at least one candidate of each gender before a position can be filled.

For further information on the recruitment process please contact Head of Section Professor Jan Loop, jlo@teol.ku.dk, or Associate Dean for Research Heike Omerzu, ho@teol.ku.dk.

Further information about the application procedure is available from HR, e-mail: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk. Please refer to ID number 211-0763/26-2E #1.

University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all interested parties regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

Application deadline
Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Applications received after the deadline has expired will not be accepted.

If your application does not include all the required supporting documents, your application will be rejected and will not be considered by the assessment committee.