At the Department of Communication and Psychology, the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Aalborg University, a position as a PhD fellow in Arts, Mental Health and Organizational Learning will be open for appointment as of 1st of January 2026. The PhD Fellow will be a part of the project Musikalske Alliancer.

In addition to Aalborg University, the project is carried out in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg (Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium).

The appointment as PhD fellow will be a fixed term (3 years), full-time position, which will include both research and teaching activities. 

The position will primarily be attached to the section Psychology of Culture, Humanity and Education (Psyche), which focuses its research on the following main themes: 

• Processes of creativity, learning, and aesthetic experience
• Identity, citizenship, and participation in cultural and social contexts
• Psychological perspectives on education, recovery, and human development
• Organizational learning, innovation, and transformative change

Furthermore, The PhD fellow will become part of the project group and enrolled in the PhD school at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aalborg University.

The project Musikalske Alliancer, is funded by the Augustinus Foundation, Region Midt, Helsefonden and Reisby Fonden. Project holder is the classical ensemble Lydenskab. 

Musical Alliances conducts co-creative workshops with people who hear voices and the professionals who support them. In each process, poetry and musical works are developed based on the participants’ voices and life stories. These works are recorded and performed both at the residential facility, where the participants live, and at Museum Overtaci, where they are shared with networks and the public.

The project will investigate how artistic co-creation can become a method for transforming the living conditions of voice-hearers in vulnerable positions, guided by the following combined research and practice questions:

1. How can artistic co-creation open affective passages that challenge entrenched patterns and create new possibilities for action for voice-hearers?
2. How can a method of artistic co-creation be developed and adapted as a flexible leadership strategy for pattern-breaking across social and organizational contexts?

The project includes a collaboration with Aktionsuniversitetet which brings expertise in action research and organizational learning. A central research interest is to examine how, and to what extent, artistic co-creation can be anchored within the everyday practices of a social psychiatric institution. Rather than assuming automatic transfer, the project investigates the conditions under which methods developed in workshops with residents and staff may (or may not) become integrated into organizational routines, professional practices, and institutional culture. This strand of the project thus explores the potential for artistic co-creation not only to affect individuals, but also to contribute to organizational transformation.

The purpose of the PhD project is to conduct an empirical and theoretical investigation of how artistic co-creation can open new pathways for recovery, identity work, and organizational learning and development in social psychiatry. 

The PhD fellow will analyze co-creative aesthetic workshops with residents and artists, study how aesthetic practices can be integrated into organizational processes and develop theoretical models of how art-based methods can support both individual recovery and transformative organizational processes in social psychiatry.

In terms of research 

The proposed PhD project are expected to undertake research and publish research output of a recognized quality and engage in external research networks and collaborations.  

In relation to research, applicants should document:

• Experience, skills and achievements that demonstrate the ability or potential to produce high quality research outputs and publish in journals.
• A personal research plan which is consistent with the project.
• Experience, skills and achievements that demonstrate the ability or potential to develop external and/or international networks and collaborations.
• Experience, skills and achievements that demonstrate the ability or potential to engage in activities with actors outside academia to enhance the impact of research.
• Motivation to work interdisciplinarily across psychology, artistic practices, and organizational transformation.

In terms of teaching 

The position includes teaching at the Department’s educations.

The employed are expected to quality teaching, supervision, and associated examination, as required across the range of modules offered on the Pshychology program.

In relation to teaching, applicants should document: 

Ability to teach, supervise, and assess written and oral performances. International applicants are expected to learn Danish. 

Aalborg University works with a problem-based learning model (PBL). Documented experience with PBL is not mandatory, although it would be an advantage. If you haven’t completed a PBL-course, you will be required to do so within your first year of employment.

Other expectations 

In terms of personal qualities, the applicant is expected to have strong cooperative abilities, and the ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with researchers of various research, social and cultural backgrounds. A national as well as an international network is an advantage.

Proficiency in Danish is required, as the research engages with aesthetic practices and artistic co-creation in social psychiatric contexts, where understanding the nuances of conversations, metaphors, and expressions in Danish is essential for rigorous analysis and meaningful collaboration.

The applicant must be prepared to actively participate in all aspects of the day-to-day activities of the department, designated section, study programs as well as with colleagues at other departments. For information on the research profile of the department etc., please see the department’s website(below). 

Who are we? 
The Department of Communication and Psychology is a part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and is in both Aalborg and Copenhagen. Our department is dedicated to enhancing human and community participation in society through interdisciplinary research and education. We combine classical and modern humanistic disciplines and promote innovative thinking and a commitment to contributing to society. As part of our large and diverse Department you'll be working alongside over 150 scientific staff and more than 2,400 students. In addition, we have over 30 Ph.D. students and an administration team of 40 staff members.  

Join us in making a difference in society! 
More information about the research profile of the Department can be found here: http://www.kommunikation.aau.dk .

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Please visit the website of the doctoral school for further information on admission requirements.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor and master's degree diploma)
• Project description ***For ENG, TECH, and SUND vacancies: If a project description is required, specify its content and length. Otherwise, please delete the bullet***
• ***Only for SSH – delete if the vacancy is at ENG, TECH, SUND.***Applicants WHO are planning to complete a doctoral thesis in English and who do not have English as a first language or WHO have not completed an English language-based Master's programme (or an equivalent educational achievement in English) shall provide documentation that they have passed one of the following official tests with the respective minimum score: IELTS (band score): 7, TOEFL (paper-based): 600, TOEFL (internet-based): 100. The language test must be no more than five years old at the time of the application. 
• Other relevant documents

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  
We recommend that you save a copy of the job posting, as it will be removed once the application deadline has passed.  

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

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.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities

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) (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (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.