Senior Researcher in Natural Language Processing (NLP)

The Center for Humanities Computing (CHC) at the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, is seeking to strengthen and expand its research in the rapidly growing field of Computational Humanities. We invite applications for a temporary, part-time senior researcher position (10% of full-time, equivalent to 3.7 hours per week), with the potential for transitioning into a full-time role (37 hours per week). The position is initially offered for a three-year term, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funding.

The position will be available from January 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

In its pursuit of academic excellence, The Faculty of Arts is committed to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc.
Place of work is at CHC Jens Chr. Schous Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C. The Position
We are seeking an innovative and dedicated scholar with a robust research profile in Natural Language Processing or related fields (e.g., Computational Linguistics, Computer Science). The ideal candidate must also possess documented experience in machine learning and the application of machine learning to humanities data (e.g., computational narratology, stylistics, or empirical aesthetics). A strong track record of interdisciplinary collaboration, the ability to secure external funding, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing research through computational methodologies are essential.

The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate competences within the scope of Center for Humanities Computing’s research activities, and a research plan of 3-5 pages should be submitted which aligns with the center’s activities. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct relevant research projects and to contribute to the Center for Humanities Computing’s research infrastructures.

Apart from carrying out research and contributing to the overall research agenda of Center for Humanities Computing, the successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to the academic environment at The School of Culture and Society and its core activities in the areas of research, talent development and knowledge exchange according to Aarhus University’s overall strategy. Research
The successful applicant is expected to develop and head research projects of relevance to field of Natural Language Processing preferably with an emphasis on computational humanities as well as machine learning. The person appointed to the position will also be expected to participate in collective research projects and pursue external research funding. Knowledge exchange
It is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange as described in the strategy for the Faculty of Arts https://arts.au.dk/om-arts/strategi-arts-2020-2025/, for instance research cooperation with private companies, government consultancy, cooperation with civil society partners or the public dissemination of knowledge. Applicants should document any prior experience within the field of knowledge exchange. Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent qualifications in Computational Linguistics or related areas of research (e.g., , Computer Science, Data Science) as well as research qualifications equivalent to those required by a senior researcher.

Applicants must furthermore be able to document:
• Research relevant to Center for Humanities Computing.
• A strong, relevant international publication profile.
• Experience of participation in collective research projects.
• Participation in national and international networks as well as experience of
interdisciplinary cooperation.
• Experience of attracting external research funding.

The following skills are considered an advantage:

• Expertise in developing and fine-tuning deep learning models, particularly for natural
language processing in the context of humanities research. Experience with advanced
frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar, with a focus on implementing cutting-
edge deep learning architectures (e.g., transformers) for large-scale data analysis.

Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.

References or recommendations should not be included with the application. Applicants who are selected for a job interview may be asked to provide professional references.
Past research achievements will be assessed based on the active research time of the applicant in question. We therefore ask applicants to specify any career breaks they have had (for instance due to maternity/paternity leave) in order to gauge their research productivity.

Applicants are expected to contribute to the department’s academic environment. We emphasize the importance of good working relationships, both among colleagues and with our students. In order to maintain and develop the department’s research environment, the person appointed is expected to be present at the department on a daily basis.
Language and further information

If the successful applicant is not fluent in Danish, s/he will be expected to acquire the language within a period of approximately two years.

Applications must be uploaded in English.

For further information about the content of the position, please contact Center Director, Professor Kristoffer Nielbo [email protected].
For further information about the application procedure, please contact HR supporter Gerd Bech Thomsen [email protected].

For a more detailed description of Center for Humanities Computing, please visit: https://chc.au.dk/. For more information on the School of Culture and Society, please visit: http://cas.au.dk. The Work Environment
This position will be based at the Center for Humanities Computing - a research and development unit at Aarhus University that collaborates with researchers from arts and humanities (Faculty of Arts) at Aarhus University.
Our offices are located in Nobel Parken, 8000 Aarhus C and holds about 30 employees. CHC values a healthy work-life-balance and offers work conditions where flexible hours and some amount of remote work is possible. The School Culture and Society
At the School of Culture and Society, the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:
• From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
• From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
• From local questions to global challenges

The school’s ambition is to produce compelling research with an international resonance as well as to offer teaching and talent development of the highest quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society as a whole, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education. International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to check Family and work-life balance and Attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU. Read more at arts.au.dk/en
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications. Formalities
Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

• Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
• Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.

The application must outline the applicant's motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and no more than eight examples of academic production (mandatory). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts:shortlisting

Faculty of Arts The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 700 academic staff members, 200 PhD students, 9,000 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.
The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction withsociety.

Read more at https://international.au.dk/

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Center for Humanities Computing/Center for Humanities Computing

Deadline: 10 December 2024

Location: Aarhus C Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4