Assistant Professor Positions In University Science Education Research: Learning Environments, Experience And Design

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applicants for several positions as Assistant Professor in University Science Education Research, with a particular focus on learning environments, experience and design. All positions contribute to research on how learning environments and experience shape student engagement, learning and study trajectories in STEM education. We invite applications from candidates with disciplinary backgrounds in Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Pharmacy or related fields, as well as Education, Pedagogy, Psychology, Design or Learning Sciences, who wish to develop a strong research profile in STEM education.

Applicants are not expected to cover all areas described in this posting; depth in one profile area is valued.

The Assistant Professors will be members of the Section for Learning, Experience and Design (LxD) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA). The positions are embedded in a research environment that includes, among others, the cross-institutional Novo Nordisk Center for University Science Education (USE), anchored in the STEM Education Research Center FNUG. Depending on profile and project alignment, successful candidates may contribute to research within USE, section-based research in learning, experience and design, or related externally funded projects.

IMADA is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and located in Odense, and is organisationally divided into six sections. The LxD section conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of learning, experience and design, focusing on creating environments, processes and systems that inspire creativity, nurture engagement and foster meaningful interactions in education, professional life and beyond.

Our research explores how environments – physical, digital, nature-based and hybrid – shape human and more-than-human interactions, cognition, aesthetics and learning across scales and modalities. In this spirit, we also work from the orientation that the whole world can be understood as a nature-based learning environment; an eco-mental system.

The department wishes to strengthen its research profile in University Science Education broadly, with a particular emphasis on:

• science programmes and learning environments (e.g. laboratories, makerspaces, studios, hybrid, digital and nature-based environments),
• science teachers and teaching (including faculty development and pedagogical competence), and
• science students’ experience, engagement and study paths, including student wellbeing in higher education STEM

The department hosts several major externally funded research initiatives, including the cross-institutional University Science Education (USE) Programme, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and conducted in collaboration with Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to one or more of these research environments in alignment with their profile and expertise.

The successful candidates will contribute to discipline-based, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary education research while engaging in cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.

The Assistant Professors will be expected to:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in university science education, learning environments, experience research and design, within one or more of the department’s and section’s research areas.
• Design and study learning environments that support high-quality science learning and student experience (e.g. laboratories, field sites, studios, problem-based and project-based environments, digital, hybrid and nature-based learning environments).
• Engage with educational technologies (e.g. digital platforms, hybrid learning systems or AI-enhanced tools).
• Contribute to innovative or inventive methodologies in science education research (e.g. design-based, participatory, arts-based or multimodal approaches) and/or robust evaluation methodologies, including quantitative and mixed methods approaches.
• • Contribute to research on student wellbeing and thriving in higher education STEM (e.g. stress trajectories, identity and belonging, psychosocial learning environments, evidence-based interventions, assessment and evaluation).
  • Contribute to faculty development and organisational change initiatives, for example through workshops, collegial sparring, training-of-trainers activities and design-based research projects.
  • Collaborate with USE Faculty colleagues and partner institutions to translate research findings into concrete educational change at SDU and across partner institutions.
  • Participate in and co-organise USE and section activities such as seminars, conferences, symposia and research & development projects.
  • Contribute to teaching and supervision across the Faculty of Science, including supervision of student projects.
  • Engage in external collaboration and outreach related to university science education and learning environment, experience and design research.

To be qualified at the level of Assistant Professor, it is expected that the candidate holds a MSc degree in a relevant discipline and a PhD degree in science education, learning environment research, design research, psychology, user experience research, art-science-technology studies or a closely related field, and has a developing publication record in peer-reviewed outlets. Demonstrated experience in externally funded projects, potential to attract external funding, experience with collaborative research and high-quality teaching evaluations will be considered an advantage. For applicants focusing on student wellbeing and intervention research, experience with statistics, evidence synthesis, intervention development or evaluation studies will be considered an advantage.

We are seeking outstanding candidates with strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills and strong written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English is required; willingness to acquire Danish within two years is an advantage.

Applicants should have knowledge of, or an interest in developing knowledge of, the Danish higher education system and university science programmes. Documented experience with teaching, outreach and/or collaboration with university teachers, students and educational developers and/or wellbeing professionals will be considered an advantage. Documented experience with learning environment research, experience research, design-based research and user experience, research & development projects, action learning or practice-oriented research is also an advantage. Experience from multiple educational levels—such as primary, secondary, or vocational education—will also be considered an advantage, especially where it informs understanding of learning pathways into university science programmes.

The competence profile of successful candidates bridges deep expertise in a science or related discipline with a strong interest in university science education research, learning environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, learning design, student experience and assessment, and faculty development and organisational change. Documented experience with DBER, science education research or closely related areas will be considered an advantage.

Applicants are expected to contribute to teaching and supervision; the concrete balance between teaching and research may vary by profile and will be clarified during the recruitment process.

We offer:

• Several Assistant Professor positions in University Science Education Research: Learning Environments, Experience and Design
• A stimulating, collaborative, and international research environment
• Relevant university pedagogical training

Applicants must have completed their PhD at the time of application.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

Place of work:
Section of Learning Experience Design,
STEM Education Research Center (FNUG),
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, located at the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Based in Odense, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers an inclusive and international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities as well as a strong tradition for collaboration across departments and faculties, and with other educational institutions, municipalities, and industries. The degrees offered by the department include BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and specializations in STEM Education. More information about the department can be found on its web page www.imada.sdu.dk .

About the university
The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now has more than 27.000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programs in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark. Odense provides family-friendly living conditions with the perfect combination of a historic city centre with an urban feel and yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairy tale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Application, salary etc.

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The application must include the following:

• A curriculum vitae
• A full list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated
• A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Shortlisting may be used as part of the assessment process, and an interview may be included in the overall evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “Apply now”. Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark can be found on the University’s website.

Starting date and contact:

The starting date for the position is July 1, 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.

For further information please contact Professor Connie Svabo svabo@imada.sdu.dk .