[Cian Stryker]

The Department of History at the School of Culture and Society invites applications for the position of Research Assistant, with responsibility for establishing and managing a new website on the Nordic region.

Place of employment: Jens Chr. Skous Vej 3-7, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.

Background
Aarhus University has recently become part of a university research consortium ReNEW (Reimaging the Nordic Region in an Evolving World: An Excellence Hub in Research, Education and Public Outreach). The consortium, which is led by the Centre for Nordic Studies at Helsinki University and involves six universities in the Nordic countries, has received funds from NordForsk for the period 2018-2023. See https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/reimagining-norden-in-an-evolving-world.

As part of this initiative, funds have been allocated specifically to AU to establish a new website for the public dissemination of reliable information on the Nordic countries. The new website will be hosted by AU and draw on the experience and expertise of staff associated with the established website danmarkshistorien.dk. The website will include not just Nordic history, but many different areas including politics, social policy and culture. Articles will be written in English (and other languages as appropriate) by academic experts recruited through ReNEW.

The position is funded for two years full time in the first instance, starting from 1 September 2018. The successful applicant will be employed within the Department of History and Classical Studies as part of danmarkshistorien.dk, but will also have the opportunity to participate in the research and educational activities of the department and in ReNEW activities more generally.

The position
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated research assistant who will co-ordinate the establishment and development of the site in the first two years. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of the experienced danmarkshistorien.dk staff, in close co-operation with other colleagues at AU and in the ReNEW consortium, in order to design, commission and edit the content of the site.

The successful applicant will be expected to:

Contribute to designing the site and deciding its contents, in collaboration with other colleagues.
Take main responsibility for the process of publishing content, including:
Recruit authors and commission content.
Identify other suitable content, e.g. primary source material.
In negotiation with contributors, edit and format content and prepare it for publication (including inclusion of cross references, further reading etc.).
Check copyright, permissions etc. as appropriate, under the guidance of other members of the project.
Create webpages and publish content using CMS Typo3 (used for all webpages at Aarhus University).
Use different tools (e.g. social media) to generate knowledge about the site as widely as possible, monitor its use and contribute to its further development.
Take part in ReNEW and other events as appropriate to spread knowledge about the website.
Monitor and respond to enquiries, offers of contributions etc.
Work with other participants, including student interns or helpers.

Qualifications

Essential

As a minimum, an MA qualification in any discipline related to the ReNEW consortium’s activities (arts, humanities or social sciences including e.g. history or contemporary history, political science, sociology, literary and cultural studies, languages, Scandinavian studies etc.). Evidence of expertise/interest in the broad area of Nordic studies is essential.
Native or near native competence in written English; ability to edit English-language texts for accuracy and style.
Competence in at least one of the Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian or Swedish).
Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable

PhD or equivalent research experience in any discipline related to the consortium’s activities.
Experience of and interest in public engagement/communication.
Experience of copy-editing texts for publication.
Experience of working with Typo3 CMS is also an advantage, though full training will be available.

Application procedure
The application must be uploaded in English.

Applications should include (a) a proposal (1-2 pages) describing the applicant’s visions for how this resource might be developed, in accordance with the overall aims of the ReNEW hub; (b) a sample of the applicant’s writing in a form suitable for the new website. This should be a short article (no more than 2-3 pages), in English, on any topic of the applicant’s choice that is related to the overall theme of Nordic studies. Applicants may wish to refer to danmarkshistorien.dk for guidance about how this should be written. These documents should be uploaded together with the letter of application. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview, in person or via skype or conference call.

Further information
For further information about the position please contact Mary Hilson (mary.hilson@cas.au.dk; +45 87162237).

For more information about the application, please contact HR supporter Marianne Birn (mbb@au.dk).

Links
Danmarkshistorien.dk: http://danmarkshistorien.dk/
ReNEW consortium: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/reimagining-norden-in-an-evolving-world
At AU the ReNEW network involves staff from the School of Culture and Society http://cas.au.dk/en/ and the School of Communication and Culture http://cc.au.dk/en/.

Deadline: 14 May 2018

Please apply online here

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