Professorship in Indo-European Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH) seeks excellent candidates for a professorship in Indo-European Studies. The position is a permanent, full-time position available from August 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS) provides the setting for international research and education from BA to PhD studies within a broad range of linguistic disciplines and language technology, literature, media, culture, and gender studies. More information can be found here: https://nors.ku.dk/english/ Danish here: https://nors.ku.dk

Job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of professors include contributing to the scholarly and intellectual life at the University by conducting world-class research and teaching. A professor is also expected to exercise academic leadership, to develop his/her area of research in synergy with other researchers and take on administrative responsibilities.

The successful candidate will play a central role in initiating and developing broad research projects focused on Indo-European studies, emphasizing a solid basis in the traditional linguistic aspect as well as interdisciplinary approaches, including adjacent fields such as archaeology, archaeogenetics, comparative religion and poetics. Both aspects should be clearly mirrored in the candidate’s publications.

The applicant should endeavour to strengthen the international profile of Indo-European studies at the University of Copenhagen by means of e.g. joint publications, conferences and teaching activities.

Apart from engaging in teaching at all levels and continuous development of teaching programmes, the applicant should have experience with supervision of students and candidates from the level of BA to PhD and postdocs.

Qualification requirements
In order to qualify for a professor position at the University of Copenhagen, the candidate must meet the University’s criteria of academic merit Criteria for recognising merit – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

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

You can read more about the criteria here:   5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf (ku.dk)

The successful candidate to this position is expected to be an internationally recognised researcher with an excellent research profile in his/her field of expertise and to have an articulated vision and strategy for the subject area, also covering ties to adjacent areas

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills, a sustained commitment to fostering an inclusive and collegial academic environment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in the planning and delivery of teaching, the development of research initiatives, and the fulfilment of administrative responsibilities.

Furthermore, the candidate must demonstrate a commitment to student learning, supporting student welfare, and enhancing the student experience. The position is permanent, and therefore we strongly encourage the appointed professor to acquire the proficiency in Danish required to teach and interact with colleagues in that language in 3-6 years. The Department will provide and pay for the necessary language training.

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

Terms of employment

• Employment with the Faculty of Humanities, and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit. We do this by applying academic criteria of the University of Copenhagen which are related to the duties and conditions of each post and the needs of the Department concerned.
• Further information on qualification requirements as professor can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2025 here:  https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/375
• Terms of appointment and salary is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• The salary is DKK 59,500 per month + a 17.1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis. 

The recruitment procedure
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.

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here:  Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

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)

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)

Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, email: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk, please refer to case number: 211-0340/25-2K #1.

Additional information about the position can be obtained from the Head of Department Anne Jensen email: annejensen@hum.ku.dk, phone +4560114145

How to Apply
Applicants should submit a complete application online. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of this advertisement to apply.

Your application must be written in English or a Scandinavian language and include the following documents:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• Certificates and Diplomas
• Publications. The 7 most important publications, of which at least 5 must have been published within the 5 years immediately preceding the deadline for application. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and marked from 1 to 7. Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavours, 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
• Publication list. A complete list of all publications with clearly marked publication dates. The uploaded publications must be marked with * on the list to be assessed.
• Teaching portfolio. Documentation of teaching qualifications in accordance with the University guidelines for teaching portfolios when appointing academic staff at the University of Copenhagen
• Documentation of ability to disseminate information. Documentation of the ability to disseminate information to and share knowledge with society.

Only enclosures in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, French, German or English will be assessed.

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 [CET] 12 January 2026.

Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.