PhD Stipend in the role of participatory design futuring in promoting urban transitions

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology (CREATE) offers a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD stipend within the study program “Media, Architecture & Design”. The initiative is in line with the Department’s practice of conducting interdisciplinary research at the highest international level. Furthermore, the stipend is in accordance with the strategy of furthering collaboration between the two campuses in Copenhagen and Aalborg. The stipend is therefore established with a dual-supervisor set-up where one supervisor is based at the Copenhagen campus and one at the Aalborg campus. The themes cover key research areas of the department. 

Stipend: The role of participatory design futuring in promoting urban transitions
The PhD investigates participatory design futuring within urban and service systems design. The project proposal should carve out a specific focus on an urban issue of choice critical for sustainable transitions. We encourage the inclusion of more than human perspectives through exploring design imaginaries.

The stipend is open for appointment from 1 April 2026 or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is three years. The primary workplace for the PhD stipend will be either at Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, or at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV.

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.

Who we are
The Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology has as its goal the development of an innovative cluster of engineering-based environments for education and research which integrate creativity, engineering and technology within the disciplines of architecture, urban design, industrial design, digital design and interactive media. The department is a leading research and educational environment in Denmark that addresses the challenge of the interplay between creativity and technology, and develops new areas in research and education directed towards the end-user.

You can read more about the department here: https://www.create.aau.dk/om-create .

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor and master's degree diploma)
• Draft project description (max. 3 pages) outlining the key idea and overall research design
• Other relevant documents

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.

Further information
here.

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 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) 

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.