项目介绍

2026年5月6日

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Sustainability and Planning and the Aalborg Centre for Problem Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability under the auspices of UNESCO (UCPBL), a PhD stipend is available on ‘Futures Literacy and Action Competence in PBL-based STEM Education’. 

The fellowship is part of the research and development project ‘FutureSTEM’ funded by Region Nordjylland as part of Teknologipagtspuljen focusing on increasing young people’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the region. Read more about Teknologipagtspuljen here: Teknologipagtspulje. 

Start date is expected to be 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

The research project 
The purpose of the FutureSTEM project is to develop students’ futures literacy and action competence in STEM education through futures-oriented teaching that connects STEM with societal challenges. UNESCO defines Futures Literacy as the capability of imagining diverse and multiple futures, and using futures as lenses through which to look at the present anew. Read more about Futures Literacy here: Futures Literacy & Foresight | UNESCO

In the FutureSTEM project, we aim to develop research-based principles, tools and methods for teachers to integrate futures thinking in PBL-based STEM teaching to support students’ ability and efficacy to prepare, plan for and act in complex systems in society. Through working with hopeful scenarios and practice-oriented problem-solving, the aim is to strengthen students’ action competence towards sustainable futures, in a local as well as global perspective. FutureSTEM is a design-based research project involving partners across all educational levels (primary school, high school, vocation school and higher education), and principles, tools and methods are developed in close collaboration with teachers and stakeholders in the region. 

The PhD fellowship will contribute to the research-based development of futures literacy principles, tools and methods as well as the evaluation of these in teaching practice. This may encompass both qualitative and quantitative methods. Applicants will have the opportunity to explore this research area with considerable freedom to shape and adapt the project’s methods and approaches in line with the research questions and project objectives. All applications falling within the scope of the project will be evaluated equally.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with experience and interest in design-based research in STEM education, in primary school, high school, vocational education and/or higher education. Candidates with competencies in futures literacy and/or action competence in STEM will be preferred. Proficiency in understanding and speaking Danish or another Scandinavian language is required, as the PhD candidate will be working closely with Danish teachers in local educational settings. Finally, candidates with previous experience in research dissemination and publication will be preferred.

Our group and research – what do we offer?
The PhD candidate will be affiliated with an active research environment at the Aalborg Centre for Problem Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability under the auspices of UNESCO (UCPBL). The candidate will also become part of the PhD community at the Institute of Advanced Study in PBL (IAS PBL) 
  
Your supervisors will be:
•    Stine Ejsing-Duun, Associate Professor and research co-lead of PBL, Materiality and Technology in Engineering Education Research (PBL MATTER), sed@plan.aau.dk (principal supervisor).
•    Søren Hansen, Associate Professor in PBL for Action, Co-creation and Transformation (PBL ACT), sha@plan.aau.dk (Co-supervisor). 

The PhD programme is a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme.  Read more here:

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Responsibilities and tasks 
•    Carry through an independent research project under supervision
•    Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
•    Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
•    Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
•    Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
•    Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

How to apply
Application and Assessment Procedure
Applications should include a PhD project proposal that includes clear and relevant research questions and clear connection to the proposed research design and methodology to answer these questions. In the evaluation of the application, emphasis is placed on the relevance of the research question in relation to the research project within which it will be rooted as well as the originality of the project and the suggested research design and methodology. A further criteria is the project´s ability to relate the proposal to existing research. 

Your application including all attachments must submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. 

Applications in both Danish and English are welcome.

Please include:  
1.    Motivated letter of application, including motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
2.    Proposal for a PhD project that will contribute to the overall FutureSTEM project as explained above. The proposal may not exceed six-pages in length.
3.    Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position. 
4.    Original diplomas for completed Bachelors and Masters education and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. 
5.    Publication list (if relevant)

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?     
Questions regarding the link to FutureSTEM can be directed to project manager: Lykke Brogaard Bertel (lykke@plan.aau.dk) 

Questions regarding stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Lisbeth Diinhoff, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, email: ld@adm.aau.dk

 
Further information  
The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

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.

Read more about our recruitment process here.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

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).

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) (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.