The Section for Strategic Studies and Great Power Competition under the Institute for Strategy and War Studies at the Royal Danish Defence College invites applications from qualified individuals for one or two positions as Assistant Professor ( Adjunkt ) in Military Strategy.
About The Section
Successful applicants will join the Section for Strategic Studies and Great Power Competition, a group of approximately 20 military analysts and civilian scholars (with backgrounds in Political Science, International Relations, and War Studies, among other fields). The section is one of three within the Institute for Strategy and War Studies.
We focus on teaching courses and producing practice-oriented research and analysis on ongoing great power competition between China, Russia, and the United States, alongside its military-strategic implications for the Kingdom of Denmark and the Danish Defence. Our team works on a broad range of issues, including deterrence and coercive diplomacy, Danish defense and security policy, cyber conflict, hybrid warfare, and international alliances—with a special emphasis on NATO and Nordic defense cooperation. We also possess extensive area studies expertise covering China, Russia, the United States, the Indo-Pacific, the Baltic Sea region, and the Arctic.
Copenhagen is regularly ranked among the most livable cities in the world. The Royal Danish Defence College is located at Svanemøllen Barracks in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, a 15-minute commute by public transport from the city center.
About The Position
The position of Assistant Professor is a temporary appointment for up to four years, offering the opportunity to qualify for a permanent position as Associate Professor ( Lektor ).
Our incoming Assistant Professor is expected to divide their time between four core duties:
- Teaching: Delivering practice-oriented courses in military strategy and military affairs at the bachelor's, master's, and intermediate diploma levels using innovative, student-tailored pedagogical methods. Bachelor and Diploma levels: Young cadets training to become junior officers. Master’s level: Mid-career officers with substantial military operational experience.
- Research: Conducting high-quality research with clear practical application.
- Advisory Support: Supporting and advising agencies under the Danish Ministry of Defence.
- Public Dissemination: Communicating relevant research findings to the broader public.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can strengthen our existing expertise in deterrence—specifically as it relates to small states, NATO, and Nordic cooperation. All researchers at the Royal Danish Defence College enjoy academic freedom and value high-quality research that can be integrated into our curriculum or utilized by agencies under the Ministry of Defence.
Career progression to Associate Professor follows the Royal Danish Defence College regulations and typically involves an evaluation of candidate merits (including a completed university teaching certificate / universitetspædagogikum ), as well as an open competition against external applicants. We will collaborate with the appointed Assistant Professor to develop a realistic teaching and research plan to help them compete effectively for an Associate Professor role.
The Ideal Applicant
- Education: You hold a PhD or equivalent degree in Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, History, War Studies, or a closely related field. (PhD candidates defending within six months of the start date are eligible and may be initially hired as Research Assistants).
- Teaching Experience: You have demonstrated strong pedagogical skills and experience teaching courses in military affairs, strategic studies, or international relations. You possess an interest in military practice and the ability to convey complex theoretical and doctrinal concepts using real-world military cases.
- Research & Impact: You have an emerging research track record and a clear research agenda, with an interest in publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, securing external funding, and applying relevant concepts to the Danish Armed Forces.
- Teamwork: You are a collaborative colleague dedicated to supporting peers and contributing to the intellectual development of the section, institute, and RDDC.
- Languages: Professional English proficiency is required. Proficiency in Danish is a strong advantage but not mandatory. Non-Danish speakers will be expected to present a plan to learn Danish within a realistic timeframe (language training support available upon agreement).
Terms of employment and Salary
You will be employed and paid according to the current Academic Agreement in the State. 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%.
As an assistant professor at the Danish Defence Academy, you will also be covered by the current circular on minutes on certain employment conditions for civilian researchers with and without teaching obligations and civilian academic teachers at the Danish Defence Academy.
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.
Contact and application
If you would like to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact Kristian Søbe Kristensen, email:
[email protected]If you have questions about salary or terms of employment, you can contact HR consultant Madeleine Moltke Kæmsgaard, email:
[email protected]The application deadline is the 10th of septemer 2026
Applications Must Include
- Cover letter
- CV (including an overview of language proficiency)
- List of publications (distinguishing peer-reviewed from non-peer-reviewed work)
- Four-year Research Plan
- Teaching Portfolio
- Impact Portfolio (outlining practical/policy engagement)
- PhD certificate and other relevant credentials
- Electronic copies of up to five relevant publications (with co-author statements where applicable)
- Contact information for up to three professional references (the Royal Danish Defence College reserves the right to contact references)
How to Apply: Non-Danish-speaking applicants who experience issues with the electronic portal may submit their application materials directly to
[email protected] .
Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be conducted shortly after the application deadline.
Start Date: October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Relocation Support: RDDC assists international hires with moving to Denmark, including guidance on obtaining work and residence permits, securing temporary accommodation, and relocating with family.
The Royal Danish Defence College sees diversity as a strength and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, race, religion, ethnicity, or background.
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 develop-ment. 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 work-force 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 em-ployees are located at Svanemøllen's Barracks, while the other employees are located at Frederiks-berg Castle, Varde, Frederikshavn and Karup.