Assistant Professor in Problem Based Learning in Engineering Education
Assistant Professor in Problem Based Learning in Engineering Education
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At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Sustainability and Planning a 2-years position as Assistant Professor in Problem Based Learning in Engineering Education is open for appointment from 1st of January 2026 or soon thereafter. The position will be based in Aalborg.
The Department of Planning and Sustainability conducts research and teaching on development and planning in a broad sense, including both technical and social-technical aspects, with a focus on planning for sustainability.
The department was established in 1975. Today, we are located in two beautiful harbour-front locations in both Aalborg and Copenhagen. We have more than 250 employees and approximately 1,200 students across the two cities.
Our research and study programmes are rooted in sustainability and the green transition. This means we conduct research in areas such as the circular economy, technology, urban, energy, and environmental planning, as well as sustainable transition and design. Sustainability is central to our work in environmental assessment and marine management. In surveying and land use, sustainability is reflected in our efforts in nature restoration and climate adaptation.
As society continues to develop digitally, we also focus on responsible technology development, addressing real-life challenges. Our problem-oriented approach and close collaboration with businesses and public organisations form the foundation of all our study programmes. Additionally, our engineering programmes are among the best in Europe.
Job description
The main research area will be within the field of problem based learning (PBL) in engineering education. The position will be related to the Aalborg Centre for Problem Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability under the auspices of UNESCO (UCPBL). The researcher will be working in a cross-disciplinary team of researchers, who are committed to the vision and mission of the Centre (https://www.ucpbl.net/about/).
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The applicants should demonstrate research experience within the field of PBL related to one or more of the following areas in engineering education or STEM education (including vocational education), and with an open-mindedness to diverse research methodologies:
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- Conduct research on flexible education within a PBL learning environments, including literature reviews, case studies, interviews, and observations to understand how pedagogical, digital, and collaborative flexibility shape learning practices.
- Transform research insights into pedagogical models and recommendations, supporting the development of flexible, interdisciplinary, and problem-based learning designs for both physical and digital learning environments.
- Explore emerging trends and future directions for flexible education and PBL, identifying new pedagogical possibilities, digital innovations, and organizational practices that can support sustainable, learning in interdisciplinary environments.
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Teaching will be related to PBL including courses, workshops and consultancy offered at all Engineering and Science programmes at Aalborg University at different levels of study. Furthermore, assist staff training internally at AAU and externally in the Master of Problem Based Learning, the UCPBL certificate programme or tailor-made training courses by request. Knowledge of engineering education and teaching experience from a PBL environment is an advantage.
<!--StartFragment -->You can read more on TECH as a workplace here.
You can read more on Department of Sustainability and Planning here
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You may obtain further information from Associate Professor Bente Nørgaard bente@plan.aau.dk or Professor Xiangyun Du; xiangyun@plan.aau.dk<!--EndFragment -->
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Qualification requirements
Appointment as assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.
How to apply
Your application must include the following:
- Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma)
- List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. If you are applying for a position at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), you must submit a co-author statement, see template for co-author statement
- Documentation of teaching qualifications. Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment, please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine or guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
- Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.
- Additional qualifications in relation to the position
- References/recommendations
You can read more about the requirements for your application here.
The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here
The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.
The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).
Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.