Research Assistant in Problem Based Learning and Engineering Education

Jobbeskrivelse
At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design’s Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg, a position as Research Assistant in Problem Based Learning and Engineering Education is open for appointment from 15 August 2026, or soon thereafter. The position is temporary and available for a period of 25 months full time job. The position is connected to the Aalborg Centre for Problem Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability (hereafter UCPBL), in particular the PBL ACT research group, supporting the ongoing global activities in research-based PBL capacity building programs and international conference organization.

Your work tasks
The research assistant will be affiliated with the PBL ACT research group and will support several ongoing international projects focusing on problem- and project-based learning, pedagogical development and institutional capacity building. The work will include research support connected to projects within the Global PBL Certificate Programme. Concrete tasks may include literature studies, preparation of research instruments, support for data collection, organisation of research materials, transcription or preparation of qualitative data, preliminary coding and analysis, and contributions to reports, research papers and programme evaluations. The research assistant will also help document learning outcomes and institutional development experiences emerging from the certificate programme and contribute to the preparation of research-based materials for dissemination.

In addition, the research assistant will assist the Centre’s leadership, in particular Professor Xiangyun Du, Director of the Aalborg PBL Centre, with coordination tasks related to the Centre’s international research symposia and conferences. The position will involve communication and coordination with international partners, programme participants, researchers and external collaborators. This may include preparing meeting materials, minutes and follow-up notes, maintaining overview documents, supporting participant communication, and assisting with the practical and academic organisation of workshops, seminars and online activities.

The research assistant will also contribute to the organisation of international conference activities, including support for calls for papers, review processes, communication with authors and reviewers, programme planning, conference documentation, proceedings preparation, website texts, participant information and practical coordination before, during and after events. The workplace is Aalborg University in Aalborg, with collaboration involving colleagues and partners in Denmark and internationally.

The position will include teaching activities related to PBL, including courses, workshops, and consultancy support provided across the engineering and science programmes at Aalborg University and at various levels of study

Your competencies
We are looking for a colleague with a relevant master’s degree and research experience within learning, education or a related field. Prior experience with engineering education and problem- and project-based learning will be considered an advantage. Experience with qualitative research methods, Q methodology, literature studies, academic writing, data organisation or programme evaluation will also be valued.

It will be an advantage if you have experience with international collaboration, event or conference organisation, digital communication, website texts, social media, project coordination or research administration.

The position requires very good written and spoken English. Danish language skills will be considered an advantage.
As a person, you are expected to be structured, reliable and able to work independently, while also contributing positively to a small, collaborative and international team. You should be comfortable working with several parallel tasks and communicating with people from different academic and cultural backgrounds.

Who we are
The Aalborg PBL Centre is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre at Aalborg University. The Centre works to strengthen research, education and global collaboration on problem- and project-based learning in engineering science and sustainability. The Centre’s activities include research, research-based teaching, staff development, certification programmes, visitor workshops, international partnerships and the organisation of international and regional research symposia on PBL.
The research assistant will become part of a collegial, international and research-oriented environment at Aalborg University, working closely with the Director of the Centre and other colleagues involved in PBL research, educational development and global capacity building. You can read more about the Aalborg PBL Centre at www.ucpbl.net.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as a research assistant requires academic qualifications at master's degree level.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and potential PhD diploma).
• List of publications. You may attach a maximum of 5 publications (optional).
• Documentation of teaching qualifications (optional).
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position.
• References/recommendations.

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.

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. Professor Xiangyun Du, Director of the Aalborg PBL Centre, by e-mail [email protected] or phone (+45) 4060 1207.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

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.

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

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

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.

Contacts

• Xiangyun Du: +4540601207, [email protected]
• HR Support: 99403031, [email protected]

Ansøgningsfrist
13-07-2026

Ref. nummer
2026/894

Afdeling
Department of Sustainability and Planning