Research Assistant – Colonial Legacies of Universities: Materialities and New Collaborations

The EU Horizon Pillar 2 research project Colonial Legacies of Universities: Materialities and New Collaborations (COLUMN) situated in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies of the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, is looking to recruit a full-time (37 hours/week) research assistant for the period 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026.

Place of employment: AU Moesgaard campus, Moesgaard Alle 20, Højbjerg, Aarhus.

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.

Members of the academic staff at the School of Culture and Society are expected to contribute to a vibrant, enjoyable and friendly work environment. We emphasise the importance of active participation in the daily life of the department.

The position

The successful applicant is expected to work closely with project PI Nick Shepherd in support of the work package deliverables and to liaise with project partner Det Grønlandske Hus (Aarhus) and with the other COLUMN collaborating institutions. The project seeks to understand the deep imprint of coloniality in three universities, chosen as case studies: Aarhus University, The University of Pretoria, and the University of Liverpool. A broad understanding of, and fluency in, decolonial debates and ideas is a key requirement for this position, as is the ability to work independently and flexibly with an evolving research design. Specific tasks include:

• Conducting interviews with a range of stakeholders across the three case-study institutions;
• Doing archival research and working with collections;
• Conducting participant observation to better understand university processes;
• Systematically documenting and archiving all material collected as a part of the project, with an eye to publication;
• Assisting in organizing three campus residencies scheduled for 2027;
• Assisting with the administration and reporting of the project;
• Drafting material for a ‘decolonial handbook’.

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to have the following qualifications and abilities:

• A Masters’ degree in Sustainable Heritage Management, or an equivalent degree.
• Fluency in writing and speaking Danish and English. The ability to speak and write Greenlandic/ Kalaallisut will be an advantage.
• A deep understanding of decolonial debates and methodologies.
• The ability to work in multicultural settings.
• A deep understanding of research ethics and experience of working across global north/ south borders.
• A methodological and structured approach to work and good organisational skills.
• Good time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Applicants who can document experience gained in similar roles will have an advantage, but this is not a requirement.

Further information

For more information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Nick Shepherd (ns@cas.au.dk). 

For more information about applications, please contact HR support on e-mail iks-hr-sag@au.dk.

About the project

Work packages 8 and 9 of Project COLUMN focus on the university campus as a generative space through which to understand deeply embedded legacies of colonialism, racial slavery and apartheid. The idea of ‘the campus’ is interpreted broadly to include the architecture and built environment of the university and its memorial landscape – but also details of gardening and landscaping, public artworks, evidences of institutional cultures, university museums and archives, university collections, and the total ‘ensemble’ of the university as institution. 

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