Associate Professor for Research in Information Influence, AI, and Digital Forms of Conflict

The Royal Danish Defence College is strengthening its research in the information dimension of modern conflicts and is therefore offering a research position at the Institute for Military Technology. In this role, you will contribute with research and practice-oriented teaching on how digital technologies, data, artificial intelligence, and information influence shape con-temporary and future conflicts, decision-making processes, and military operations. The position focuses on research into the interaction between technology, data, and influence in and around the digital domain. This may include, among other things, social media as an operational space, misinformation and disinformation, deepfakes and synthetic media, algo-rithmic bias, digital narratives, and visual and affective dynamics in war and crisis. About us The Institute for Military Technology is tasked with equipping both current and future military decision-makers to understand technological development, its significance for future military task performance, and the opportunities and risks that follow from it. The accelerating devel-opment of technology, the importance of digitalisation for military operations, and the in-creasing complexity of the information environment create new conditions for decision-makers at all levels of the Danish Armed Forces. We are an interdisciplinary institute consisting of both civilian and military personnel who conduct research, teach, and advise decision-makers in the Danish Armed Forces on opera-tional, strategic, and leadership-related aspects of technological developments. The institute works with, among other things, artificial intelligence, cyber, drone technology, multi-domain operations, simulation and wargaming, strategic foresight, and military-technological pro-fessional development. The institute has a flat management structure and a strong sense of cohesion, where we serve as sparring partners and sources of inspiration for one another. We collaborate broadly with the other institutes of the Royal Danish Defence College, the Danish Armed Forces, authori-ties, the defence industry, civilian actors, and research institutions in Denmark and abroad. About the position We wish to strengthen our research in information influence, AI, and digital forms of conflict as a central part of modern military task performance. The position will contribute to under-standing and managing how digital technologies and information flows affect conflicts, op-erations, decision-making processes, and military strategy. You will be expected to develop and lead research within one or more areas that may include information warfare and information influence, social media as an operational space, narra-tives, perception and legitimacy in conflicts, and strategic communication in hybrid conflicts. The research may also concern AI, misinformation, and digital manipulation technologies, including deepfakes, synthetic media, automated influence, algorithmic bias, and artificial intelligence as both a threat and an operational enabler. In addition, the position may focus on digital diplomacy and international relations in the digi-tal space, including both state and non-state presence and interaction on digital platforms, as well as public diplomacy in a data-driven and media-intensified context. Finally, the re-search may address visual and affective dimensions of war, for example the political and op-erational effects of images, video, and sensor data, as well as the visibility of violence and its strategic significance. The research must be actively linked to the central strategic priorities of the institute and the Royal Danish Defence College. This includes AI as an operational enabler, where an under-standing of data, algorithms, and information flows forms part of combat power. It also in-cludes Multi-Domain Operations and Software-Defined Warfare, where the information di-mension must be understood as an integrated part of operations across domains. The position must also contribute to learning from Ukraine and other current conflicts, where information influence, social media, and digital narratives play a significant role. There will also be opportunities to contribute to wargaming and strategic foresight through the devel-opment of scenarios and exercises that integrate information influence and digital threats. Finally, the research must support military-technological professional development and the development of officers’ understanding of the information environment as an operational domain. Your position will include tasks primarily within research, but also development, advisory work, dissemination, and teaching on the Danish Armed Forces’ accredited programmes and other courses. Teaching may in particular take place on the Master in Military Studies, the Master in Intelligence and Cyber Studies, the Professional Bachelor’s Degree programme, and continuing education programmes within digital technologies, AI, technology leadership, and digital hybrid warfare. Teaching must connect theory and practice and be based on the operational reality of officers. You will be expected to contribute to scenario-based teaching, wargaming, application-oriented cases, and the development of new teaching formats within digital and technological subjects. This may include, for example, cases on Ukraine, hybrid threats, information opera-tions, social media, AI-driven information warfare, and digital manipulation technologies. The position involves building and maintaining national and international research collabora-tions, as well as collaborating with the Danish Armed Forces, authorities, relevant civilian ac-tors, and research environments in and outside Denmark. You are also expected to contribute actively to the Institute for Military Technology’s research environment and cross-cutting activ-ities at the Royal Danish Defence College. About you You hold a PhD in social sciences, humanities, or related fields and wish to strengthen your research profile within information influence, AI, and digital forms of conflict. You have doc-umented research within, for example, international politics, security studies, diplomacy, studies of technology and society, digital media, communication, or information studies. It is an advantage if you have experience with studies of social media and digital platforms in political or military contexts; AI, data, or information systems; narrative strategies and visual media in military operations and security policy; as well as an understanding of military or-ganisations and their digital practices. You are driven by curiosity about the significance of technology for modern conflicts and mili-tary task performance. You are able to connect technology, society, and military practice and work analytically with complex and interdisciplinary issues. You are capable of translating research into teaching, advice, and application, and you have an interest in — or willingness to build — a solid understanding of the military context in which your research will be embedded. It is a strength if you are interested in how information influence digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and visual media can affect military operations, strategic communication, legit-imacy, decision-making processes, and societal resilience. At the same time, it is important that you can develop and maintain relevant networks in and outside Denmark that support and develop your research in collaboration with the knowledge environment at the Institute for Military Technology and the Royal Danish Defence College. You thrive in a collaborative research environment and actively contribute to collegial spar-ring, academic development, and joint task performance. You must be prepared to take the lead and assume responsibility for integrating research and development activities into the Royal Danish Defence College’s education programmes. It is necessary that you can teach at