Associate Professor in the History of War
fuldtid
Associate Professor in the History of War
The Section for Military History embedded in the Institute for Strategy and War Studies at the Royal Danish Defense College is advertising for an eminent candidate at the level of Associate Professor to strengthen our research and teaching capacity in war studies.
About us
The Royal Danish Defense College (RDDC) educates the officers and NCO’s of the Danish Armed Forces, supported by research and development activities. Our educational responsibilities cover basic training, advanced studies reaching the MA-level as well as supplementary courses ensuring an officer corps with up-to date professional knowledge.
The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is the teaching- and research unit of the Danish Armed Forces responsible for military strategy, security policy, war- and conflict theory, war studies and culture studies. Our primary obligation is to contribute to the RDDC Mission through teaching, supported by research and development activities. To a lesser extent, we provide research based advice to Danish military decision makers and disseminate our knowledge within the Armed Forces and to the wider public. Our educational activities cover all levels of officer’s education, including military bachelor-, diploma-, and master level educations. The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is composed of a mixed staff, including military officers from all branches as well as civilian trained educators and academic research staff. The Department of Strategy and War Studies consists of three sections and is one of four institutes organized under the Faculty at the RDDC.
The Section for Military History conducts research on and disseminate knowledge from wars and military conflicts. Learning from past battlefields ensures that today’s officers understand how past wars were fought and won. Building on research within the fields of military history and theory of war, it is the responsibility of the section to generate and deliver in-demand research-based knowledge from past conflict and war to RDDC’s educations and the Danish Armed Forces. Major current efforts in the section include historical contextualization of the lessons drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as support to the operational units and staffs of the Danish Armed Forces through historical staff-rides.
Copenhagen is regularly ranked among the most livable cities in the world. The Royal Danish Defence College is located at Svanemøllen Barracks in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, a fifteen-minute commute by public transport from the city center.
About the position
The position is split between teaching and research, including administrative tasks related to both. Sufficient time to produce original research within the topic of the position is prioritized.
Teaching obligations include teaching at all levels including, but not limited to, MA-level. As associate professor both the skills and interest in participating in and leading activities related to educational development is expected. This covers both innovative teaching methods as well as ensuring quality of curricula and that teaching goals are theoretically grounded while reflecting the practice-oriented demands of the military profession.
We take teaching seriously, and expect pedagogical development among staff. Participating in one’s own as well as the joint development of RDDC’s teaching skills is thus a priority for the position. Specifically we expect the successful candidate to be able to teach topics within the broad field of military history/war studies including through specific case-studies/staff-rides as well as historical methods and theories of science. Teaching at RDDC is a collaborative effort, and much of the teaching is conducted in interdisciplinary teams with different backgrounds and with different experiences.
The continued production of high level original research within the broad field of history of war/military history is expected. While having the academic freedom to pursue individual research, the position also entails obligations for mentoring and supporting the junior staff of the Section for History of War. Additionally, and in close collaboration with the section leader and colleagues, it is expected that the associate professor is willing to take an academic leadership role for the development of the wider historical research portfolio and development activities at RDDC.
As associate professor at the RDDC contact and engagement with many different internal and external stakeholders is an important part of the job. Based on solid academic credentials, the position entails contact and cooperation with e.g. Defense Command Denmark, the branch schools of the armed forces, Danish Ministry of Defense, national and international academic actors and PME-institutions among many others.
Essential qualifications for the position
You will be employed and paid according to the current Academic Agreement in Denmark. Depending on your qualifications, there will be an opportunity to negotiate a supplement. The position is linked to an employer-financed pension scheme of 18,07%. Foreign applicants may potentially be eligible for the special Tax Scheme for Researchers.
As an assistant professor/associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, you will also be covered by the current circular on minutes on certain employment conditions for civilian researchers with and without teaching obligations and civilian academic teachers at the Royal Danish Defence College.
As an employee at the Ministry of Defence, you must be able to obtain a security clearance and obliged to participate in peace-making and peacekeeping operations.
Contact and Application
For further information, please contact Director of the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, Kristian Søby Kristensen, email: krkr@fak.dk phone +45 28729017.
If you have question about conditions of employment or salary, please contact HR consultant, Mia Nordbeck Carlsson, email: fps-mnc@mil.dk.
Application must be sent via the electronic recruitment system before 01 December 2025 using the link below.
Applications should contain:
- Cover letter
- CV including an overview of language proficiency
- Publication list that provides an overview of the candidate’s peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications
- Research Plan for the coming three to four years
- Teaching Portfolio outlining the candidate’s teaching experience
- PhD certificate and other relevant documents and credentials
- Electronic copies of up to ten relevant publications, including co-author statements where relevant
Only publications in English or the Scandinavian languages will be taken into consideration. Co-author statements must be submitted where relevant.
Shortlisted applicants will reviewed by an expert committee. The committee will review the applicant’s research and teaching qualifications in accordance with the criteria’s outlined in the job posting. The review can last up to three months.
If you are a non-Danish speaking applicant, you should still apply through the electronic application procedure and attach all relevant material.
In the Ministry of Defence's organization, we believe that diversity optimizes task performance. Therefore, we encourage all interested individuals, regardless of background, to apply for the position.
Royal Danish Defence College
The Royal Danish Defence College (RDDC) educates and trains the Danish Defence forces and international officers to solve the unique tasks of the Danish Defence and of our allies. We create lifelong learning through relevant, practice-oriented, and contemporary education and training, and we contribute to the public debate through qualified research and development. Furthermore, the RDDC is conducting research in various fields such as security policy, strategy, cultural understanding, military operations, leadership, military history, and military technology.
At the Royal Danish Defence College, we comprise approximately 450 employees. Our workforce represents a blend of civilian and military personnel, who encompasses a diverse array of roles including administrative staff, lecturers, officers, researchers, assistants, cadets, librarians etc.
The Royal Danish Defence College is located in several places in the country, but most of the employees are located at Svanemøllen's Barracks, while the other employees are located at Frederiksberg Castle, Varde, Frederikshavn and Karup.
About us
The Royal Danish Defense College (RDDC) educates the officers and NCO’s of the Danish Armed Forces, supported by research and development activities. Our educational responsibilities cover basic training, advanced studies reaching the MA-level as well as supplementary courses ensuring an officer corps with up-to date professional knowledge.
The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is the teaching- and research unit of the Danish Armed Forces responsible for military strategy, security policy, war- and conflict theory, war studies and culture studies. Our primary obligation is to contribute to the RDDC Mission through teaching, supported by research and development activities. To a lesser extent, we provide research based advice to Danish military decision makers and disseminate our knowledge within the Armed Forces and to the wider public. Our educational activities cover all levels of officer’s education, including military bachelor-, diploma-, and master level educations. The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is composed of a mixed staff, including military officers from all branches as well as civilian trained educators and academic research staff. The Department of Strategy and War Studies consists of three sections and is one of four institutes organized under the Faculty at the RDDC.
The Section for Military History conducts research on and disseminate knowledge from wars and military conflicts. Learning from past battlefields ensures that today’s officers understand how past wars were fought and won. Building on research within the fields of military history and theory of war, it is the responsibility of the section to generate and deliver in-demand research-based knowledge from past conflict and war to RDDC’s educations and the Danish Armed Forces. Major current efforts in the section include historical contextualization of the lessons drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as support to the operational units and staffs of the Danish Armed Forces through historical staff-rides.
Copenhagen is regularly ranked among the most livable cities in the world. The Royal Danish Defence College is located at Svanemøllen Barracks in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, a fifteen-minute commute by public transport from the city center.
About the position
The position is split between teaching and research, including administrative tasks related to both. Sufficient time to produce original research within the topic of the position is prioritized.
Teaching obligations include teaching at all levels including, but not limited to, MA-level. As associate professor both the skills and interest in participating in and leading activities related to educational development is expected. This covers both innovative teaching methods as well as ensuring quality of curricula and that teaching goals are theoretically grounded while reflecting the practice-oriented demands of the military profession.
We take teaching seriously, and expect pedagogical development among staff. Participating in one’s own as well as the joint development of RDDC’s teaching skills is thus a priority for the position. Specifically we expect the successful candidate to be able to teach topics within the broad field of military history/war studies including through specific case-studies/staff-rides as well as historical methods and theories of science. Teaching at RDDC is a collaborative effort, and much of the teaching is conducted in interdisciplinary teams with different backgrounds and with different experiences.
The continued production of high level original research within the broad field of history of war/military history is expected. While having the academic freedom to pursue individual research, the position also entails obligations for mentoring and supporting the junior staff of the Section for History of War. Additionally, and in close collaboration with the section leader and colleagues, it is expected that the associate professor is willing to take an academic leadership role for the development of the wider historical research portfolio and development activities at RDDC.
As associate professor at the RDDC contact and engagement with many different internal and external stakeholders is an important part of the job. Based on solid academic credentials, the position entails contact and cooperation with e.g. Defense Command Denmark, the branch schools of the armed forces, Danish Ministry of Defense, national and international academic actors and PME-institutions among many others.
Essential qualifications for the position
- Established researcher with the publication record and research agenda expected for an Associate Professorship
- A Ph.D. degree and research experience within the fields of history of war/military history
- Documented and solid teaching skills, preferably with teaching experience from a PME-institution
- Experience with or willingness to engage in managing research and teaching development
- Prior knowledge of the Danish Armed Forces is an advantage but not a precondition
- Willingness to explore ways in which the military context can frame your research
- A team player with collaborative and inclusive mind-set, willing to go the extra mile to support you colleagues
- Proficiency in Danish is an advantage, but not a requirement. If you do not speak Danish, you will be expected to present a plan for how you will learn Danish within a realistic time frame.
You will be employed and paid according to the current Academic Agreement in Denmark. Depending on your qualifications, there will be an opportunity to negotiate a supplement. The position is linked to an employer-financed pension scheme of 18,07%. Foreign applicants may potentially be eligible for the special Tax Scheme for Researchers.
As an assistant professor/associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, you will also be covered by the current circular on minutes on certain employment conditions for civilian researchers with and without teaching obligations and civilian academic teachers at the Royal Danish Defence College.
As an employee at the Ministry of Defence, you must be able to obtain a security clearance and obliged to participate in peace-making and peacekeeping operations.
Contact and Application
For further information, please contact Director of the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, Kristian Søby Kristensen, email: krkr@fak.dk phone +45 28729017.
If you have question about conditions of employment or salary, please contact HR consultant, Mia Nordbeck Carlsson, email: fps-mnc@mil.dk.
Application must be sent via the electronic recruitment system before 01 December 2025 using the link below.
Applications should contain:
- Cover letter
- CV including an overview of language proficiency
- Publication list that provides an overview of the candidate’s peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications
- Research Plan for the coming three to four years
- Teaching Portfolio outlining the candidate’s teaching experience
- PhD certificate and other relevant documents and credentials
- Electronic copies of up to ten relevant publications, including co-author statements where relevant
Only publications in English or the Scandinavian languages will be taken into consideration. Co-author statements must be submitted where relevant.
Shortlisted applicants will reviewed by an expert committee. The committee will review the applicant’s research and teaching qualifications in accordance with the criteria’s outlined in the job posting. The review can last up to three months.
If you are a non-Danish speaking applicant, you should still apply through the electronic application procedure and attach all relevant material.
In the Ministry of Defence's organization, we believe that diversity optimizes task performance. Therefore, we encourage all interested individuals, regardless of background, to apply for the position.
Royal Danish Defence College
The Royal Danish Defence College (RDDC) educates and trains the Danish Defence forces and international officers to solve the unique tasks of the Danish Defence and of our allies. We create lifelong learning through relevant, practice-oriented, and contemporary education and training, and we contribute to the public debate through qualified research and development. Furthermore, the RDDC is conducting research in various fields such as security policy, strategy, cultural understanding, military operations, leadership, military history, and military technology.
At the Royal Danish Defence College, we comprise approximately 450 employees. Our workforce represents a blend of civilian and military personnel, who encompasses a diverse array of roles including administrative staff, lecturers, officers, researchers, assistants, cadets, librarians etc.
The Royal Danish Defence College is located in several places in the country, but most of the employees are located at Svanemøllen's Barracks, while the other employees are located at Frederiksberg Castle, Varde, Frederikshavn and Karup.