About ARC
ARC is Aarhus University’s interdisciplinary flagship for Arctic research, education, and outreach. Aarhus University has a leading role both nationally and internationally, and ARC has served as an important link between AU and Greenland and played a central role in advancing knowledge and collaboration across dis-ciplines. ARC is now about to enter a new strategic and organizational phase, expanding its scope across faculties and transitioning to a new organizational structure. As of January 1st, 2026, ARC will be organized as an Interdisciplinary Cluster to further strengthen interdisciplinary engagement, networking and external visibility.

About Interdisciplinary Clusters
Interdisciplinary Clusters at Aarhus University are designed to foster broad collaboration across depart-ments and faculties. They bring together researchers from diverse disciplines to form open consortia that engage in cross-cutting research and strategic outreach activities. These clusters aim to address long-term societal challenges through interdisciplinary approaches and external partnerships.
The clusters operate under two overarching success criteria:
1. Increase societal awareness and facilitate interaction with external partners, including innovation envi-ronments, organizations, companies, and the public sector.
2. Build academically strong consortia within AU and with other institutions to promote strategic research efforts.
Each cluster is governed by a steering committee composed of vice-deans for research from the faculties involved. The cluster leader, appointed by the steering committee, is supported by a coordinator and a lead-ership team. Clusters are funded jointly by faculties and are expected to leverage external funding to support their activities. Read more here.

About the role of the Arctic Research Cluster Leader
We invite expressions of interest from researchers with open-ended employment at Aarhus University to lead ARC into its next phase of development. The role of a cluster leader is not a position in itself, but a function for a senior researcher already employed at Aarhus University.
The cluster leader is expected to:
• Develop ARC’s strategic direction and interdisciplinary collaboration, together with ARC’s leader-ship team and Steering Committee
• Interact with and manage a cluster coordinator
• Coordinate logistics and operations
• Facilitate the visibility of AU at national and international Arctic forums and meetings
• Foster inclusion of and collaboration across AU’s many different research groups focusing on the Arctic
• Foster collaboration with Greenlandic institutions, including the Arctic Science Study Programme (ASSP) in Nuuk
• Ensure ARC’s visibility and impact across research, policy, and society

Qualifications
• Open-ended employment at Aarhus University
• Significant experience in planning and execution of Arctic research, especially Greenland
• Broad research focus and substantial experience in facilitating interdisciplinary dialogue and integrating diverse academic perspectives
• Strong national and international network
• Experience with field logistics, safety, and infrastructure would be beneficial
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to lead diverse teams and foster collaboration across disciplines
• Academic leadership and mentoring experience
• Capacity for strategic thinking and long-term planning in a complex institutional and geopolitical context
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate evolving research landscapes and institutional structures
• Familiarity with Arctic research policies but also current geopolitical aspects for Arctic research collaboration

Compensation
The cluster leader receives a function supplement of DKK 50,000 annually, as per AU’s interdisciplinary cluster framework.

Selection Process
An advisory group comprising the vice deans for research at Nat and Tech and the heads of department at Biology, Geoscience, Ecoscience and Environmental Science suggests a cluster leader to the Deans; appointment as of 1 January 2026 or soonest possible thereafter.

Interested candidates should submit:
- A brief motivation letter outlining their vision for ARC
- A CV highlighting relevant experience
- Any supporting documentation (e.g. leadership roles, collaborations, outreach)
Expressions of Interest should be sent to vicedean.research.tech@au.dk and vicedean.research.nat@au.dk

Deadline: November 28, 2025.

To supplement the written material, candidates may be invited to a meeting with the advisory group.