Associate professor in Practical Theology

The Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applications for a permanent full‑time associate professorship in Practical Theology, available from 1 August 2026.

Job description
The position is based at the Section for Systematic Theology. The department conducts research and teaching in three different branches of systematic theology: dogmatics, practical theology, and ethics and philosophy of religion. The position involves tasks within practical theology and will also include continuing and further education, including individual, flexible master's programmes, as a special area of responsibility.

Research environment
The Faculty of Theology is dedicated to promoting a workplace culture based on diversity, equality and inclusion. We strive to offer a supportive environment for researchers at all stages of their careers, with an emphasis on both work-life balance and equal access to career development opportunities.

Qualification requirements
Applicants are expected to have a PhD in theology. Applicants must be able to demonstrate research efforts within practical theology and have in-depth knowledge of Danish theology and Danish church conditions, as well as the ability to engage constructively in a theological academic environment.

In addition, teaching competence at associate professor level is expected, which can be documented in the form of a teaching portfolio, including documented teaching experience with courses at university level, student supervision, and experience in communicating research results.

Documented experience with individual and collective applications must be stated in the application, as well as which research projects the applicant particularly wishes to undertake and encourage as part of their employment.

The position's field of work is divided equally between teaching and research tasks (including related administration and dissemination). In the assessment of applications, particular emphasis is therefore placed on documented competencies and reflections within these two areas (for further criteria, see below).

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's guidelines for teaching portfolios here: Job application portfolio – University of Copenhagen

Academic qualifications

• Research qualifications in relation to the period of active research and the degree of originality and scope of scientific production
• The applicant's scientific efforts, academic breadth and depth, rigour, thoroughness and accuracy
• Documented teaching qualifications.

Non-Danish speakers must, within a short period (3-6 years), acquire the necessary Danish language skills to be able to teach in Danish.

Six general criteria apply to the appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant must be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

Read more about the University of Copenhagen's criteria: here

The University of Copenhagen's criteria for associate professors can be found: here

Read more about the qualification requirements for associate professors in the 2025 Executive Order on the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) here: Bekendtgørelse om stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale ved universiteter

Further information about the position can be obtained from:
Head of Department, Christine Svinth-Værge Põder: cpo@teol.ku.dk
Associate Professor in Practical Theology, Marlene Ringgaard Lorensen: mrl@teol.ku.dk

Application
Send your application electronically via the "Apply online" link in Adobe PDF or Word format.

Click on the "Apply for the position" button.

The application, which may be written in Danish or English, must include the following attachments:

• Application
• CV
• Certificates and diplomas, including PhD diploma.
• Complete and numbered list of publications. Enclosed works should be marked with an asterisk*.
• Research plan including a brief description of previous research and a plan for the coming years. This should include an account of efforts relating to research organisation, establishment of research seminars, symposia and conferences, etc.
• Documentation of teaching qualifications and research dissemination (organisation of teaching programmes, teaching materials, teaching courses, and other teaching activities, and teaching evaluations) in addition to any other qualifications relevant to the merit criteria (Job application portfolio – University of Copenhagen)
• Publications. Applicants may select a maximum of five publications for assessment for associate professorships, of which at least three must have been published within the last five years from the application deadline. The date of publication must be clearly marked on the publication list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered from 1 to 5.

If the publication has one or more authors, or if the work is the result of a collective effort, it must be clearly stated which part of the work the applicant is responsible for. In special cases, the faculty may request a statement from the co-authors regarding the extent and nature of their contribution to the work.

Only material in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, German and French will be considered for assessment.

Appointment procedure
After the application deadline, the head of department, with advice from the appointment committee, selects which applicants are to be assessed. All applicants are then notified whether their application has been forwarded for assessment. The dean will then appoint an expert assessment committee to assess the selected applicants in relation to the specific position. The selected applicants will be informed of the composition of the committee, and each applicant will have the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns them.

Further information about the procedure can be obtained from
Head of Secretariat Torben Rytter Kristensen, e-mail: trk@teol.ku.dk, or HR, e-mail: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk. Please state case number 211-0726/25-2E.#1

All interested parties, regardless of personal background, are encouraged to apply.

Salary and terms of employment
Employment is in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC. A total pension contribution of 18.07% of salary and pensionable supplements is allocated. There will be an opportunity to negotiate additional supplements based on qualifications.

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

The application deadline is 7 April 2026, 23:59 CEST.

Applications or supplementary material received after this date will not be considered.