Postdoctoral Research Assistant in European Climate Rights

The Department of Law, Aarhus University, is seeking to appoint a postdoctoral research assistant to work on the exciting project “The Emergence of European Climate Rights” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project runs for 24 months and is led by Professor Ole W. Pedersen, the Principal Investigator.

During the project, you will help the Principal Investigator and undertake independent research into the emergence of climate rights in a European context, focusing on the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. You will also provide assistance in organising workshops and advisory board meetings.

The post is for two years and represents an exciting opportunity to acquire valuable research experience, to contribute to the development of an emerging field and to disseminate findings in the form of publications and research briefings. The project is expected to start on the 1st of December 2025 or at a date agreed upon with the successful candidate.

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• A PhD in law or a related field.
• Prior knowledge of and an interest in human rights law, climate change and environmental law.
• Ambition to develop high-impact and original publications.
• Ability to integrate knowledge from across diverse areas of law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• A track record of research publications appropriate to career stage.
• A willingness to teach at bachelor´s and master´s levels in related subjects.

The successful candidate is expected to be present in Aarhus.

Queries should be directed to Professor Ole W. Pedersen on owp@law.au.dk

Who we are

The Department of Law is part of Aarhus BSS, which is an accredited school of business and social sciences (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). The Department of Law carries out knowledge dissemination, teaching and research within the fields of jurisprudence. The department is both nationally and internationally oriented and works within the traditional core legal areas as well as across disciplines. We aim to achieve the greatest possible coherence between research, education and knowledge dissemination to ensure high academic level.

We offer a dynamic, ambitious, and academically diverse research and teaching environment with nearly 55 academic staff members, a competent administrative secretariat with around 15 technical-administrative employees, and approximately 15 PhD students.

For more information about the Department of Law, please visit: Department of Law

Further information

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR supporter Tina Engelst Mølbæk, tel..:+45 20934966, e-mail: tinaengelst@au.dk. 

Place of work

Department of Law, Bartholins Allé 16, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information here:

https://internationalstaff.au.dk/relocationservice/

Please find more information about research opportunities at Aarhus University here: http://international.au.dk/research/

Terms of employment

The appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish).

The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure

When you apply for this position it is mandatory to attach the following:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae. You are encouraged to declare any periods of leave without research activity, including, for example, maternity leave, since your research activities are assessed in relation to your actual research time
• Education (diploma for master's, PhD and possibly higher doctoral degree)
• List of publications (the enclosed publications must be clearly marked on the list of publications)
• Publications. Up to three publications may be submitted. In the event of several authors the publications must be accompanied by a co-author statement concerning the applicant's share of the collaborative work with the consent of the co-authors. This template may be used for the purpose
• Teaching portfolio. The specific requirements regarding the documentation can be found here

Materials that cannot be uploaded together with the application may be submitted in three copies to Aarhus BSS HR & PhD, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 16, DK-8000 Aarhus C.
Read more about how to apply for an academic position at Aarhus BSS here.

The evaluation process

After the application deadline, an assessment committee is appointed. Please note that the assessment of applicants is based solely on the material received prior to the application deadline. For further information, see Guidelines for Assessment Committee, Aarhus BSS.

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.

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

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/