Postdoctoral fellow in the Horizon Europe project PROTEMO: Emotional dynamics of protective policies in an age of insecurity

The Danish Centre for Welfare Studies (DaWS), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow (100%) as part of the Horizon Europe project PROTEMO – a 3-year (2024-2026) interdisciplinary research project that investigates the emotional roots of protective policies and their emotional consequences for individuals, groups of citizens and non-citizens as well as for democracy, political participation, and mobilization. See more about the project here. Local PI and work package leader is Peter Starke (Professor mso at the Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark). The starting date for the position is 1 August 2024. The position is available for a fixed term of 12 months and comes with a competitive, full-time salary.

Using appropriate qualitative methods (e.g. elite interviews and document analysis), the successful applicant will study the role of emotions in policies aimed at disadvantaged housing areas in Denmark (“udsatte boligområder”). Together with the PI, the postdoctoral fellow will engage in innovative research focusing especially 1) on how to conceptualize and operationalize empathy as a concept to be used in policy studies, and 2) on empirical research on the role of empathy in policymaking in the areas of, inter alia, social welfare and criminal justice. 

Successful candidate(s) must be able and willing to support DaWS in realizing its overarching strategic research objectives. Read the entire strategy here.

Key responsibilities:

• Conceptual work on emotions in politics with a special focus on empathy;
• Empirical work on empathy in policymaking in the Danish context, using appropriate qualitative methods;
• Analyze research results and disseminate findings through academic publications and by other means as required (e.g. conference presentations); this includes publishing at least two articles in peer-reviewed journals; 
• Contribute to the organization of events and activities within the project, including activities aimed at public dissemination;
• Participate in regular meetings of the local project team and the European consortium;
• Participate in the intellectual life at SDU and DaWS, including paper seminars, workshops, department meetings, and other events.

Selection criteria

For applicants to qualify for the position, the following criteria must be met:

• A PhD in Political Science or a related discipline (e.g. sociology, social anthropology), awarded by the time of appointment, with a thesis on a topic related to policymaking, using qualitative methods;
• Documentation of an emerging publication record at an internationally recognized level;
• Expertise on Danish politics and/or policymaking relating to disadvantaged residential areas (desirable);
• Proficiency or near-proficiency of Danish or another Scandinavian language (desired), English language proficiency (required).

About the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Centre for Welfare Studies (DaWS)

The postdoctoral fellow will be associated with both the Danish Centre for Welfare Studies (DaWS) and the Public Administration and Welfare section of the Department of Political Science and Public Management at SDU. DaWS is an international and interdisciplinary research center on comparative welfare state research with scholars from political science, history, literature, and other disciplines.

The department believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both faculty members and students. The department's ambition is therefore to recruit, develop, and retain talented scholars committed to both academic excellence and departmental development. Furthermore, the department wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and, thus, welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Information

Enquiries about the project and the position can be addressed to the Principal Investigator, Peter Starke, email: [email protected]. For further information about the Danish Center for Welfare Studies, please contact Head of Center, Klaus Petersen [email protected]. For further information about the Department, please contact Head of Department, Signe Pihl-Thingvad ([email protected]). 

Application, salary, etc.

Appointment to the position requires a PhD or equivalent and will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Researchers who have not worked in Denmark before taking up this position may be eligible for a special tax scheme that reduces Danish income tax for up to 7 years. You can find more information about this tax scheme here. 

An application must include:

• A detailed CV;
• A cover letter (max. 2 pages);
• A research plan (max. 2 pages, excluding references) that describes the applicant's: 
  • Relationship to the aim and goals of the PROTEMO project (see https://www.protemo.eu/),
  • Plans on how to conduct research within the project’s framework,
  • Potential to obtain further external funding.
• Certificates/Diplomas (MA and PhD degree);
• A complete list of publications, indicating which publications are most relevant for the position;
• Up to 3 of the most relevant publications (including unpublished work). Please upload a pdf for each publication. NOTE: If publications have been co-authored, co-author statements must be a part of this pdf and must include information like in this example. The statement is just for your inspiration.

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out. 

Applications that are incomplete may be rejected without any substantive evaluation.

Assessment of applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for universities. Applications will be assessed by an academic assessment committee that determines whether applicants are qualified to be a postdoctoral fellow according to the Scholarly Qualification Matrix. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material. The committee reserves the right to arrive at a decision solely based on the material submitted.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of Department who will assemble an appointment committee. The appointment committee will manage and complete a series of job interviews with especially promising applicants. On the basis of the applications, the written assessments, the job interviews, and a deliberation within the appointment committee, the Head of Department determines which candidate will be offered the position.

Applications must be submitted electronically no later than April 15, 2024 using the link "Apply now" on our website. 

Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked) format.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

Please read the guide for applicants.