Director of IAS PBL

Are you passionate about university education and do you have the leadership capacity to bring together strong academic environments across the universitys faculties Can you set an ambitious direction for the development of Aalborg Universitys hallmark create coherence across research environments and ensure that problem-based learning remains an acknowledged and attractive asset for us Then you may be the person we are looking for.

The Institute for Advanced Study in Problem Based Learning (IAS PBL) is looking for a new Director.

About IAS PBL

IAS PBL is a cross-faculty matrix organisation consisting of a secretariat with permanent staff and seconded researchers from across Aalborg University (AAU).

Your role

As Director you will play a central role in further developing the universitys educational principles for problem- and project-based learning which form AAUs PBL model. You will strengthen PBL as a strategic asset for AAUinternally by supporting the development of the universitys programmes and externally by positioning AAU as an acknowledged actor in research and education both nationally and internationally.

You will lead and develop IAS PBL as a cross-cutting unit that brings together and builds bridges to research environments across the faculties and conducts research in learning university didactics and addition you will ensure that this research-based knowledge is translated into practice - for example through competence development for professors and the development of new teaching and assessment formats.

One of your most important tasks from the outset will be to develop a new ambitious strategy for IAS PBL in extension of the universitys overall strategy Knowledge for the World. Through this you will strengthen PBL at a time when digitalisation and generative AI present new opportunities and challenges for the universitys teaching and learning environmentshelping to ensure robust quality assurance of the universitys programmes.

What we expect of you

We are looking for a passionate and inclusive Director who is committed to educational development and can create engagement and cohesion across subject-didactic groups and research environments. We expect you to be an acknowledged researcher at least at associate professor level preferably with knowledge of PBL research. You should have experience in educational development and didactics preferably related to making use of opportunities offered by new digital tools.

In addition you should have experience in research leadership and in working across disciplines - preferably across faculties - and be able to act competently in networks of academic specialists with the necessary authority respect and humility this requires. You should also have insight into the interaction between research higher education and the wider society.

The position requires a strategically minded leader who can translate strategic markers into a shared direction realistic goals and clear priorities - creating understanding and commitment among permanent staff seconded researchers and collaborators alike. You should be approachable collaborative and able to achieve results through others. You will ensure optimal conditions for the research environments within IAS PBL and support co-creation through facilitative processes ensuring clear alignment of expectations regarding roles and responsibilities.

You must be able to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships and open doors to new collaborations that strengthen IAS PBL and AAU. You should be able to communicate in Danish and English and convey PBL and research in an engaging way. You must also be able to translate complex academic knowledge into concrete initiatives that can be applied in practice.

Other information

We expect our new Director to start on the 1st of August 2026 or no later than the 1st of September 2026.

Appointment as Director is for a fixed term of up to 6 years with the possibility of extension for up to 3 years in accordance with the circular on fixed-term appointments and AAUs fixed-term appointment policy. An agreement may be made on a fallback position as associate professor or professor upon expiry of the fixed-term period.

The position is classified in salary grade 37. Salary and terms of employment are set in accordance with the collective agreement for academics employed by the state including the protocol for employees in positions in salary grades 3542. It is possible to negotiate a qualification allowance.

You can read more about the position IAS PBL and Aalborg University in the job and competence profile.

Application deadline: Tuesday 26 May 2026

For further information please contact Pro-Rector for Education Anne Marie Kanstrup by phoneor Partner at MUUSMANN Jan Thomsen by phone.

Application
Your application must include the following:

• Application letter in which you explain which professional and personal competencies as well as experiences make you particularly qualified for the position
• CV (résumé)
• Diploma (certificate of graduation)
• Any relevant attachments

Applications must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system which can be accessed through the job posting on Aalborg Universitys website.

Aalborg University aims to reflect the surrounding society and considers diversity a core value. Therefore all candidatesregardless of personal background and orientationare encouraged to apply for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3700 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.