The IT University of Copenhagen invites motivated individuals to apply for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Digital Service Systems, starting on 1 October 2026, or soon thereafter.

We invite applicants who want to contribute to the IT University's vision of creating and sharing knowledge that is profound and leads to ground-breaking information technology and services for the benefit of humanity.


Job description
Digital Service Systems is an interdisciplinary research field focused on the analysis, design, and governance of digitally enabled services. The field examines how value is co-created through configurations of people, technologies, organizations, and institutional arrangements, understood as changing and relational sociotechnical systems.

Research in Digital Service Systems addresses service innovation, transformation, and coordination across public, private, and hybrid organizational contexts. It encompasses perspectives from, for example, service design, human-centered design, computer supported cooperative work, information systems, and science and technology studies. Particular attention is given to how digital technologies shape work practices, organizational processes, and user participation.

The field contributes to addressing current and emerging societal challenges, including digital sustainability, equitable access to services, democratic and responsible digitalization, and the development of resilient and trustworthy public and private service infrastructures.

The candidate is expected to develop a research agenda, publish in relevant international venues, and contribute to externally funded research activities. We welcome candidates whose research contributes to related agendas, including but not limited to:

• Digitalization of organizations and services
  
  
• Systems-oriented perspectives on services
  
  
• Digital service transformation
  
  
• Service design and digital service innovation
  
  
• Service ecosystems and service governance
  
  
• Societal and sustainability dimensions of digital services
  
  
• Health information systems and services
  
  
• NGOs and humanitarian service systems
  
  

Methodological experience in qualitative and participatory research approaches (e.g., ethnography, action research, participatory design) is expected from the candidate, complementary methodological skills are considered an advantage. The position involves close collaboration within an interdisciplinary research environment, drawing on fields including Service Design, Service Management, Organizational Studies, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Science and Technology Studies (STS).

In addition to research activities, the Assistant Professor will contribute to research-based teaching in ITU’s educational programmes. The position includes approximately 40% teaching, primarily within the BSc programme Global Business Informatics (GBI) and the MSc programmes Digital Innovation Management (DIM). Teaching activities focus on developing students’ skills in digital organizing and transformation, digital innovation, systems thinking, and sociotechnical analysis, equipping them with the capacity to design, manage, and transform complex service systems in an increasingly evolving and technology-driven world. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the study programmes prior to applying.

The Assistant Professor will be affiliated with the Digitalization, Democracy, and Governance (DDG) section at the IT University of Copenhagen. DDG is an interdisciplinary research environment studying how digital technologies shape the design, organization, governance, and management of sociotechnical systems, with particular emphasis on political and societal implications. The candidate is also expected to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration across ITU’s research sections, including design, computer science, and business.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the Competency Development Profiles for research and the Competency Development Profiles for teaching at the IT University of Copenhagen, which outline the qualifications expected at the Assistant Professor level.

The position is a tenure-track appointment with opportunities for academic development, including participation in a teaching development programme and an academic mentorship programme, as well as support for research funding applications and guidance on career development and progression toward Associate Professorship.


General information
The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based university specializing in information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 160 full-time Faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, business impact and the commercialization of IT.


Research at the IT University of Copenhagen
Our research is organized through dynamic research groups, centers, hubs, and labs that promote collaboration across disciplines. These units explore complex challenges at the intersection of people, technology, and society, contributing both to fundamental insights and practical solutions. At ITU, we see research as a shared endeavor – open, critically engaged, and rooted in dialogue with academic communities, industry, and the public sector. We actively pursue international partnerships and networks, and our interdisciplinary approach ensures that our research not only advances knowledge but also generates impact beyond academia.


Teaching at the IT University of Copenhagen
ITU currently offers four BSc degrees, six MSc degrees and one professional master’s degree, spanning across these disciplines. ITU's education is extremely sought after and produces qualified graduates who are in high demand from the job market.


Working at the IT University
Located in modern architecture, a 6-minute metro ride from the center of Copenhagen, the IT University offers an informal working environment, a varied everyday life, and a highly motivated, innovative, skilled, and diverse international faculty, with PhD degrees from more than 20 different countries. The IT University is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself in actively pursuing an improved gender balance among students and among faculty.


Working in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has a solid educational system, a rich cultural life, universal healthcare, good childcare, and well-functioning infrastructure. Copenhagen is consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities according to the Economist Global Liveability Index. Living and working in Copenhagen will typically be a great experience for you and your family.


Salary and terms of employment
Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Taxation’s agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and job structure for academic staff at universities.


Qualification Requirements
The following qualifications are required:

• Candidates are required to have academic qualifications at PhD level
  
  

Information about the Tenure-Track Programme
After a maximum of a six-year Tenure-Track period, Tenure-Track Assistant Professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of Associate Professors at the IT University of Copenhagen. If given a positive academic assessment at the end of the Tenure-Track Programme, you will be transferred to a permanent Associate Professor position.


Application
The application and all other documents ought to be in English and must include:

• A motivated application (cover letter), including a detailed description of your qualifications and brief statements of research and teaching plans that relates to the criteria in ITU´s Competency Development Profile (https://en.itu.dk/About-ITU/Vacancies/Faculty-Competence-profiles)
  
  

• A full CV, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, previous and present employment and academic background
  
  

• Documentation of academic degrees (copy of degree certificates etc.)
  
  

• A research statement, including a statement of purpose and research vision that provides evidence of independent thinking, novelty and originality, matching the position
  
  

• Copies of max. 5 different publications that are relevant to the position (the publications should be numbered)
  
  
• Documentation of pedagogical experience and teaching record within one or more of the teaching areas listed for the position
  
  

Applications without the above-mentioned required documents will not be assessed.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 13 March 2012.

The IT University may use shortlisting in connection to the recruitment process. In case of shortlisting, the Chair of the hiring committee selects applicants for assessment in consultation with the hiring committee after the application deadline. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The shortlisting of candidates for assessment is based on the criteria in the job posting. 


Further information
Questions about the positions can be directed to Head of Section, Sanna-Maria Marttila, IT University of Copenhagen, sanma@itu.dk.

Questions related to the application procedure may be directed to HR, hr@itu.dk.


Application procedure
You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website.
The IT University might upon request in the interview process contact 1-2 references.

Application deadline: 15 April 2026, at 23:59 CEST.

Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for upload of publications and other documents.

At The IT University of Copenhagen, we have an international environment and view diversity as a valuable resource. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive working environment for all our employees and encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation, or ethnic background to apply for the position.
As ITU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.