The Royal Danish Defence College hereby invites applications for an associate professorship. The position is anchored at the Center for Societal Security at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, Royal Danish Defense College, located in Copenhagen.

The position is funded a government research grant (2026–2028) aimed at strengthening strategic research in the field of societal security and preparedness. The initiative seeks to develop new, independent, research-based knowledge for the benefit of public authorities, private enterprises, and civil society in Denmark.

About us

The Royal Danish Defense College (RDDC) educates the officers and NCO’s of the Danish Armed Forces, supported by research and development activities. The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is the teaching- and research unit of the Danish Armed Forces responsible for military strategy, security policy, war- and conflict theory, war studies and culture studies. Our educational activities cover all levels of officer’s education, including military bachelor-, diploma-, and master level educations. The Institute for Strategy and War Studies is composed of a mixed staff, including military officers from all branches as well as civilian trained educators and academic research staff. The Institute for Strategy and War Studies consists of three sections and is one of four institutes organized under the Faculty at the RDDC.

Copenhagen is regularly ranked among the most livable cities in the world. The Royal Danish Defense College is located at Svanemøllen Barracks in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, a fifteen-minute commute by public transport from the city center.

About the position

Danish society currently faces the most complex and severe threat and risk landscape since the Second World War. The security situation in Europe has intensified as a result of geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Threats include cyberattacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, sabotage against critical infrastructure, hybrid threats, influence operations, and more. In addition, climate-related events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, alongside the increasing risks associated with complex technological systems and processes.

These developments place growing demands on society’s overall resilience and preparedness capacity. The aim of the government grant is to enhance research efforts within societal security and preparedness. A particular aim of the research effort is to generate new knowledge on the relationship between military and civilian contributions to societal security and preparedness.

Candidates will be expected to engage in high-quality professional research in areas of relevant expertise and take a leadership role in developing the research profile of the RDDC in the field of societal security and total preparedness. Furthermore, in cooperation with colleges and partners, the successful candidate will be expected to engage closely with Danish stakeholders and facilitate the production and dissemination of relevant research-based knowledge to actors and authorities within the field of societal security. While not primarily a teaching position, some teaching and supervision can be expected.

About you

• You hold a terminal degree (PhD) in History, Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies or a closely related field
• Are an established or emerging researcher with the publication record and research agenda expected for an associate professor with either a documented research interest in social security, resilience and preparedness issues or a keen interest in developing your research in this direction
• Have experience with or willingness to engage innovatively in research management.
• Have experience working with both public and private stakeholders and a willingness to take responsibility for producing and communicating relevant research-based knowledge to societal stakeholders.
• Are a team player with a collaborative and inclusive mind-set, willing to go the extra mile to support you colleagues.
• Prior knowledge of the Danish Armed Forces or other actors engaged in total preparedness and societal security is an advantage but not a precondition.
• Proficiency in Danish is not a requirement, but a substantial advantage for the position

Terms of Employment

You will be employed and paid according to the current Academic Agreement in Denmark.

As an associate professor at the RDDC, you will also be covered by the current circular on certain employment conditions for civilian researchers with and without teaching obligations and civilian academic teachers at the RDDC.

Depending on your qualifications, there will be an opportunity to negotiate a supplement. The position is linked to an employer-financed pension scheme of 18,07%.

The place of employment is located in Copenhagen.

As an employee at the Ministry of Defence, you must be able to obtain a security clearance and obliged to participate in peace-making and peacekeeping operations. You are obliged to perform service outside the national borders, including with units participating in international operations aimed at conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian, and other similar operations.

Please note that foreign applicants may be eligible for the Special Tax Scheme for Researchers.

Please note that the position is a fixed term position (end of 2028) linked to the Government grant. Depending on funding, the position may be extended.


Contact and Application

For further information regarding the position, please contact Director of the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, Kristian Søby Kristensen, email: krkr@fak.dk phone +45 2872 9017

If you have questions about conditions of employment or salary, please contact Personelkommandoen, HR Consultant Sheeba Krause email: PKOM-SMK@mil.dk phone +45 3266 5036.

The application deadline is 13th of April, 2026, and interviews are expected to take place shortly thereafter. The position will be sought filled as soon as possible and no later than 1th of September 2026.

You apply for the position via the link provided. Even if you are a non-Danish speaking applicant you should still apply through the electronic application procedure and attach all relevant material. Please attach the following in PDF-format:

- Cover letter

- CV including an overview of language proficiency

- Publication list that provides an overview of the candidate’s peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications

- Research Plan for the coming three years

- PhD certificate and other relevant documents and credentials

- Teaching portfolio

- Electronic copies of up to 10 publications for academic assessment, including co-author statements where relevant

Shortlisted applicants will subsequently be reviewed by an academic assessment committee. Based on the committee’s assessments, interviews will be carried out with selected shortlisted candidates.

In the Ministry of Defence's organization, we believe that diversity optimizes task performance. Therefore, we encourage all interested individuals, regardless of background, to apply for the position.


Royal Danish Defence College

The Royal Danish Defence College (RDDC) educates and trains the Danish Defence forces and international officers to solve the unique tasks of the Danish Defence and of our allies. We create lifelong learning through relevant, practice-oriented, and contemporary education and training, and we contribute to the public debate through qualified research and development. Furthermore, the RDDC is conducting research in various fields such as security policy, strategy, cultural understanding, military operations, leadership, military history, and military technology.

At the Royal Danish Defence College, we comprise approximately 450 employees. Our workforce represents a blend of civilian and military personnel, who encompasses a diverse array of roles including administrative staff, lecturers, officers, researchers, assistants, cadets, librarians etc. The Royal Danish Defence College is located in several places in the country, but most of the employees are located at Svanemøllen's Barracks, while the other employees are located at Frederiksberg Castle, Varde, Frederikshavn and Karup.