Open PhD position (3 years) at Roskilde University (DK), DL 1 February 2026
Laura Horn
Dear all, with apologies for cross-posting
We have an open PhD position in the International Section at the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University. DL is 1 February 2026, all details below.
Please note that this also includes critical political economy perspectives, as well as political ecology, social movement studies, labour studies, development studies and so on. Make sure to check out the relevant research groups linked below, and reach out to potential supervisors in good time to discuss research fit.
All best wishes, Laura
The Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as PhD of Social Science from September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as PhD is limited to a period of 3 years.
Description of the PhD project
The PhD project will contribute to social scientific knowledge about a specific, defined problem that relates to global trends, challenges, or achievements at or across regional, international and/or global scales.
The PhD Fellow will be attached to the International Section at the department.
The Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD fellow at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business with approximately 47 PhD fellows from all
over the world.
The Doctoral School of Social Sciences & Business provides PhD training and research within an interdisciplinary, international, and professional environment. It is part of a dynamic community of researchers who share a commitment to understanding society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. Researchers come from all over the world and engage in topics that are geographically, theoretically and methodologically diverse. The Doctoral School has one PhD program. The program offers work in progress seminars, thematic professional development seminars, feedback and social activities for the enrolled PhD fellows. As a PhD fellow you will be associated with one or several research groups that form part of the International Section at the Department: Economic Policy, Institutions and Change; Global Political Sociology; and International Development Research Group.
Responsibilities and tasks
As a PhD fellow you are trained at an international level to undertake research. You are responsible for carrying out independent research under supervision and receiving constructive feedback in the PhD program to finish your PhD thesis. During your employment
you are required to take 30 ECTS of coursework, and gain experience in teaching and supervision. You are also required to have a research environmental change during your PhD enrollment. The environment change can take place at foreign or local universities
or research institutions.
For more information, see chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. Read more on what it entails to be a PhD Fellow at Roskilde University.
Qualifications
You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within the social sciences (e.g., Anthropology; Economics; Geography; Global Studies; International Development studies; International Relations; Political Economy; Political Science; Sociology).
Qualifications within the following areas are required:
- Strong analytical skills and research potential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
We also emphasize the following qualifications:
- Strong skills in working with qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods analysis
- Theoretical understanding of international social scientific questions
- The PhD fellow is expected to possess good communication skills and be a resourceful, visible, and involved participant in the Department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the Department.
- Applications are invited from both inside and outside Denmark.
Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to:
- Relevant master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education).
- Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.
In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:
- Educational skills and any further professional qualifications within the social sciences.
- Grades at a social science master’s program or equivalent.
- Quality and relevance of the project description.
- Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices.
- Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory.
- If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible.
- Ability to complete the PhD project.
- Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School.
- Your project description shall be no more than 5 pages excluding references
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact the acting Head of the PhD school, Professor Peter Triantafillou (tri...@ruc.dk). For technical or administrative questions, please contact the PhD Administrative Coordinator (ise-ph...@ruc.dk).
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.
Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.
The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.
Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.
Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/
Only applications in English are accepted.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent
4. Your description of the PhD project - no more than 5 pages excluding references.
5. Your time schedule of the PhD project
6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.
Please submit your application no later than February 1, 2026.
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Dr. Laura Horn
Associate Professor
(she/her/hers – why do pronouns matter?)
Department of Social Science and Business
Roskilde University
Open-access publications
- Aaron Thierry, Laura Horn, Pauline von Hellermann, Charlie J. Gardner (2023) “No research on a dead planet”: preserving the socio-ecological conditions for academia Frontiers in Education
- Daniele Artico, Sarah Durham, Laura Horn, Francesca Mezzenzana, Malik Morrison, Anna Norberg (2023) “Beyond being analysts of doom”: scientists on the frontlines of climate action Frontiers in Sustainability