Vice Dean for Research and Innovation

Introduction

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) is seeking a new Vice Dean for Research and Innovation. This is a very exciting and attractive job if you:

• As part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, want to help tackle major societal challenges, promote innovation, and create growth and jobs. The faculty contributes to society's ability to navigate and make informed decisions.
• Want to be part of a forward-looking and vibrant scientific and educational environment where the human being in its social surroundings, institutional relations, and cultural context is at the core. The faculty brings the human and social aspects into play in relation to, for example, technology, health, and climate, and how humans act and create meaning and change in relation to both public and private actors.
• Want to shape and strengthen the faculty's international research profile and promote innovation across the faculty. This position requires a strategic approach to research management and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in driving research and innovation activities.
• Can embrace Aalborg University's values, and respect, understand, and act on the basis that AAU is a central actor in society, particularly important for Northern Jutland. Every year, Aalborg University's researchers create world-class inventions and research results with great commercial potential, based on the university's own research and research collaborations with companies and other research institutions, both nationally and internationally.
• Want to be part of an exciting team and interact with the rector and the other vice deans responsible for research, focusing on the overall strategic development of research at the university.
• In addition to the professional challenges, the position also offers a range of personal and professional development opportunities. The faculty offers flexible working conditions that make it possible to balance work and private life. There are also good opportunities for further education and competence development to strengthen your leadership skills and professional knowledge.

This job and person profile contains, firstly, a description of the main tasks that the new Vice Dean for Research and Innovation will face (see Job Profile). Secondly, it contains a description of the competencies that SSH expects the new Vice Dean to have (see Person Profile). If you are motivated by the tasks and have the competencies, you should apply for the position. If you apply, we expect you to address both the job profile and the person profile in your application and CV. At the end of the profile, you can read more about the recruitment process and where you can find more information about SSH and the job.

Job Profile

Background and Facts

SSH was established as a faculty on 1 January 2022 by merging the former Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences. SSH has six departments and approximately 11,600 students, offering a broad educational portfolio and accounting for more than half of the students at Aalborg University. The faculty's hallmark is high-quality basic and applied research in social sciences and humanities, as well as the interdisciplinary research field between the two academic areas. The faculty's mission-oriented and interdisciplinary approach enables SSH to create breakthroughs, ideas, and methodological tools that help ensure a sustainable society.

The six departments are:

• AAU Business School
• Department of Communication and Psychology
• Department of Culture and Learning
• Department of Politics and Society
• Department of Sociology and Social Work
• Department of Law

Read more about the breadth of the departments' research and educational areas here.

Responsibilities

The Vice Dean for Research and Innovation is responsible for developing and ensuring quality in the faculty's research and innovation activities. Primary responsibilities include:

• Developing cross-cutting strategic initiatives within the research area, aligned with AAU's strategic initiatives and in collaboration with the faculty's departments.
• Developing, coordinating, and ensuring quality in research in collaboration with departments and relevant forums, including the advisory committee for research and knowledge collaboration (RFU) at SSH.
• Promoting strategic acquisition of external research funds.
• Representing the faculty’s research interests through collaboration with AAU's other vice deans, deans, and administrative support units, including participation in the Strategic Council for Research and Innovation (SRFI).
• Ensuring and contributing to the external dissemination and promotion of research activities.
• Collaborating with national and international bodies to promote and safeguard research interests.

The Vice Dean is a key part of the faculty's joint leadership, working alongside department heads to manage the faculty's financial and strategic framework.

Tasks and Challenges

Development of the Research Portfolio at SSH

The Vice Dean for Research and Innovation takes a broad and holistic view of SSH’s diverse research area, emphasizing development, maintaining high academic standards, and involving employees. This position ensures the faculty's humanities and social sciences research remains at the highest international level without unnecessary bureaucracy.

SSH engages in signature projects that align with AAU's mission. The four research priorities/signatures are designed to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration. More information on these projects can be found here.

Acquisition of External Funds

A critical responsibility involves increasing research funding in an increasingly competitive environment. This includes managing relationships with public and private funds, such as the EU and other sources.

Innovation and External Collaboration

Promoting research and innovation through external collaboration is essential. SSH gathers insights from the external environment while setting research priorities that impact society on national and international levels.

Research Positioning of SSH

Positioning SSH’s research is crucial to raising the faculty’s profile. With leading-edge research outcomes, SSH can play a central role in societal advancement.

Internationalisation

Strengthening international collaboration and recruitment is a core task, enhancing SSH’s global engagement and bringing diversity to research areas.

Fact Box

Title: Vice Dean for Research and Innovation
Area of Responsibility and Function: Strategic responsibility for the research and innovation area. Part of the deanery.
Employment Conditions: Four-year term, with the possibility of extension for up to three years. Employment and salary follow the Collective Agreement for Academic Staff Employed in the State Sector, with qualification-based supplements as applicable.
Reference: Reports to Dean Rasmus Antoft.

Person Profile

SSH seeks a Vice Dean who:

• Has a strong academic profile and is an internationally recognized researcher within SSH’s academic areas.
• Demonstrates strategic leadership skills and research management experience, respecting academic freedom and fostering collaboration.
• Is skilled at fostering collaboration within SSH’s broad research portfolio.
• Can confidently represent SSH’s research internally and externally.
• Builds trusting collaborations with department heads, deans, and other partners.
• Possesses strong communication skills, effectively conveying research impact.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process, conducted with Genitor’s support, includes application submission, testing, and multiple interview rounds. The application deadline is 1 December 2024, with interviews on December 10 and 19.

Apply via Genitor's website: http://www.genitor.dk.

For further information, contact Dean Rasmus Antoft at +45 9940 8104 or via dekan-ssh@aau.dk.