Postdoctoral in Viking-age archaeology at the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University (fixed-term)

Postdoctoral position in Viking-age archaeology at****the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University (fixed-term)

The Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for an 18 months fixed-term postdoctoral position in Viking-age archaeology. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to an ongoing research project, “IDUN”, headed by Anna Tjelldén (Moesgaard Museum) in collaboration with Associate Professor Sarah Croix, Aarhus University.

The appointment begins on 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Place of work will be Aarhus University, Moesgaard Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg.

The university is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background.

Research context

We are looking for an innovative scholar with a background in archaeology, preferably with experience in burial archaeology and/or Viking-age archaeology. The postdoc will be part of a research group with other postdoctoral researchers and associated senior scholars in two related projects based at Aarhus University and will also be closely associated with the research group of IDUN (the Museum of Moesgaard and international partners).

The research project ”IDUN – Gender and Identity in the Viking age” (2026-2029) addresses the tension between the biological sex of Viking-age individuals and the material expressions of their identity as constructed in connection with burial practices. It utilizes a broad range of scientific analyses for the study of skeletal remains as well as in situ archaeological burial contexts to identify indicators of identity which have until now been beyond reach using traditional methods. The project is based at the Museum of Moesgaard in Aarhus in close collaboration with Aarhus University, School of Culture and Society, and multiple partners in Denmark (Nordjyske Museer, University of Southern Denmark) and across Northern Europe. It is supported by a grant from the Augustinus Foundation (grant holder Anna Tjelldén).

The successful applicant is expected to participate in and be co-organizer of project activities (workshops, project group meetings and an international conference) held in collaboration between the Museum of Moesgaard and Aarhus University, as well as in departmental activities at the Department of Culture and Society including lectures, seminars and workshops.

The position

The successful applicant is expected to produce independent work as well as contribute to research activities in the framework of the research project.

Applicants are asked to submit:

• An up-to-date academic CV with a complete list of publications
• A concise statement of motivation for applying for the position indicating how their experience relates to the tasks to be conducted in the position [maximum one page]
• A maximum of two publications

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Contextualize the results of various scientific analyses in the light of other archaeological data (burial finds)
• Contribute to the selection of samples for sex estimation using proteomic analysis of teeth enamel based on archaeological research questions
• Engage in a constructive dialogue with project partners concerning the implications of the results of the scientific analyses for the interpretation of burial practices, gender and identities in the Viking age
• Formulate theoretically informed new reflections about the themes of the project (gender and identity in the Viking age) based on the current state of the art
• Present their work at international meetings and publish their results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals
• Co-organize one conference

Qualifications

Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in archaeology or a related field.

Applicants must document:

• Doctoral-level experience of conducting research on Viking-age archaeology, burial archaeology and/or gender archaeology

• Experience in integrating various forms of archaeological data, including the results of scientific analyses

• An extensive knowledge of Scandinavian archaeology in the Viking age, especially its burial practices

• A methodological and structured approach to work in research

• Flexibility, good collaborative skills and the ability to work independently

• An international research profile or potential to achieve such a profile

• Fluency in written and spoken English, and the willingness to acquaint themselves with Danish if they do not already have the necessary Danish skills

• The research activities will be evaluated in relation to the actual research time. We therefore encourage applicants to specify any periods of leave they may have had without research activities (e.g. maternity/paternity leave), so we can subtract these periods from the span of their academic career when evaluating their productivity.

• Please upload a maximum of two publications alongside your application.

• Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.

Shortlists are prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates.

• Professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

• The application must be submitted in English

Deadline: 3 September 2026

For further information about the position, please contact Sarah Croix (marksc@cas.au.dk)

For further information about the application procedure, please contact HR support (iks-hr-sag@au.dk)

International applicants

International applicants are encouraged to check Family and work-life balance and Attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.

The work environment

The Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies

At the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies and its associated Research Programme Materials, Culture and Heritage (MCH), we are concerned with people and the environment and culture and society from the earliest to modern times. On the basis of fieldwork and library and laboratory studies, including anthropology, history and a variety of scientific approaches, the programme investigates and challenges our understanding of the past and its role in the present.

The MCH Research Programme at Aarhus University has an international profile and strong research networks. The environment is versatile and cross-disciplinary, and the academic staff’s research competences span a broad range of topics and approaches to archaeology and heritage.

For a more detailed description please visit this website.

The School of Culture and Society

At the School of Culture and Society, the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

• From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
• From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
• From local questions to global challenges

The school’s ambition is to produce compelling research with an international resonance as well as to offer teaching and talent development of the highest quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society as a whole, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education.

For further information about the school, please see http://cas.au.dk/en/.

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Formalities

• Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).
• Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
• Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
• The application must outline the applicant's motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than two examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting

About Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of Northern Europe’s most significant faculties for research and higher education in the humanities, theology and education. Within this broad academic scope, the faculty comprises approximately 700 researchers, 200 PhD students, 9,000 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students, and 1,500 further and continuing education students. We believe that the best ideas arise when different perspectives meet – and that research, teaching and innovation are best developed in dialogue with the surrounding society.

You can find more information here: Faculty of Arts | Aarhus University

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