The Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position. We are interested in top candidates in all fields of economics who have a strong interest in working in our department.
The position is available from August 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. An earlier start is also possible.
Situated in the heart of Copenhagen, the Department of Economics is a highly research-oriented department within Denmark’s premier University. It is one of the leading economics departments in Europe, offering courses at the Bachelor's, Master’s, and PhD levels. Read more about the department here: https://www.economics.ku.dk/department/. Our new colleague is expected to make an active contribution to advancing the research and teaching excellence in our department.
Your Competencies and Opportunities
To be considered qualified for a tenure-track assistant professor position at the University of Copenhagen, the candidate must hold a PhD degree in Economics or possess equivalent academic qualifications. Furthermore, applicants must meet the University’s criteria for academic merit.
Six overall criteria apply for tenure-track assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria - relating to research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership - are considered a framework for evaluating candidates overall. You can read more about the criteria for recognising merit at the University of Copenhagen here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/.
Job description
The general duties attached to the position of tenure-track assistant professor are:
- Research within the field of Economics,
- Teaching, supervision, and examination of undergraduate and postgraduate students,
- Knowledge sharing with the rest of society,
- Research and teaching management,
- Raising external research grants,
- Administrative tasks.
A successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and an aptitude for working collaboratively with colleagues in planning and delivering teaching, conducting research projects, and performing administrative duties.
Furthermore, the candidate must demonstrate a commitment to student learning, support student welfare, and enhance student experience.
Tenure-track assistant professor
A tenure-track assistant professorship is a six-year, fixed-term academic position that involves both research and teaching. The successful candidate will be required to complete a course on teaching and learning in higher education, specifically designed for assistant professors, and is also expected to participate in all departmental activities, including examinations and administrative duties.
Approximately six months before the end of the six-year tenure-track assistant professor term, a committee set up by the Dean will assess whether the assistant professor can be considered for promotion to a tenured position as associate professor.
Read more about the tenure-track program at the University of Copenhagen here: http://employment.ku.dk/tenure-track/tenure-track-at-ucph/.
Strategy of the Faculty of Social Sciences
The Department of Economics is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The faculty is a thriving academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:
- Engaging partners in co-creating knowledge, learning, and social change.
- Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge, and the competencies to change society for the better.
- Energising global, European, and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact
Terms of Employment
- Employment with the Faculty of Social Sciences and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit. We assess this by applying the academic criteria of the University of Copenhagen, which are tailored to the duties and conditions of each post and the specific needs of the relevant Department.
- This is a tenure-track position, and therefore, we strongly encourage the appointed assistant professor to acquire the proficiency in Danish required to teach and interact with colleagues in that language in 2-4 years. The Department will provide and cover the costs of necessary language training.
- Further information on qualification requirements as an assistant professor can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/
- Terms of appointment and salary follow the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
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The salary range for a tenure-track assistant professor starts at DKK 41,311 per month + an 18.07 per cent contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
The recruitment process
After the deadline for applications at the European Job Market has expired, applicants are selected for interviews. We will conduct interviews at the Virtual European Job Market for Economists (EJME) from December 15 to 18, 2025. To be considered for an interview, you must apply through our posting on Econ Job Market (https://econjobmarket.org/postings.php).
After the interviews, applicants are selected for assessment based on the advice of an Appointment Committee. Applicants are notified if their application has been passed for assessment by the committee. Selected applicants will be notified of the committee's composition, and each applicant will have the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant. Further information on the recruitment process at the University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
As an applicant to the University of Copenhagen, you should be prepared to undergo a security screening related to international research collaboration as part of the recruitment process. The security screening will be conducted in cases where the University deems it appropriate based on an overall assessment.
An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed to pursuing academic excellence, equality of opportunity, and creating an inclusive working environment. It encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other characteristic. For more on the diverse workplace environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a wide 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: https://ism.ku.dk/.
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-0247/25-2N
Additional information about the position can be obtained from the Head of Department, Henrik Hansen, at e-mail: henrik.hansen@econ.ku.dk or phone: +45 35 32 44 05.
How to Apply
Please submit a complete application using our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. If you wish to be considered for an interview, you must apply through our posting at Econ Job Market (https://econjobmarket.org/postings.php)
Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:
- Motivated application/cover letter: This should include a clear and explicit motivation for why you are applying for a position at the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen. Please explain how your research would benefit from and contribute to the research environment at the Department of Economics, and why you believe the department and the city of Copenhagen more broadly would be a good fit for you and vice versa. Applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm their interest in the position by signalling through the European Economic Association's system.
- Curriculum vitae, including name, address, telephone number, e-mail, previous and present employment, and academic background, including a record of research and international
research cooperation - Certificates and Diplomas
- Publications: Up to six important publications. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and named from 1 to 6.
- Publication list. A complete list of all publications with clearly marked publication dates. The uploaded publications must be marked with an asterisk (*) on the list to be assessed.
- A research plan outlining your vision for your research over the next 5-6 years.
- 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.
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. The hiring committee may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors specifying the extent and nature of each individual’s contribution.
The closing date for applications is 23:59 [Central European Time], November 28, 2025.
Applications or enclosures received after that will not be considered.
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Job market paper
- Additional paper (optional)
- Other material (in one file) (optional)
- Additional paper (optional)