Postdoc in social care and policy fra Roskilde Universitet
fuldtid
Postdoc in social care and policy fra Roskilde Universitet
The Department of Social Sciences at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate project "The Privatisation Paradox: Evaluating Social Services in Denmark", led by Associate Professor Anders Bach-Mortensen. The position as postdoc is limited to a period of 2 years, starting from September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Department of Social Sciences and Business
ISE conducts excellent, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research based on anthropology, business studies, development studies, economics, legal studies, political science, and sociology. We offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment characterized by academic and methodological diversity in research and education. Our faculty put a strong emphasis on research methodologies and are dedicated to gaining insights into businesses and society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. We produce research at the highest international level that feeds into our educational programmes, while simultaneously leveraging our research to impact social, economic, and political change. Research in the department is organized in research groups. The selected candidate is expected to join Roskilde School of Governance (RSG).https://ruc.dk/research-group/roskilde-school-governance Read more about the department here.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project “The privatisation paradox: evaluating social services in Denmark" funded by the Carlberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate programme and led by Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen. You will work closely with the principal investigator and project team, including collaborators at Oxford University and Roskilde University.
The project investigates the impact of outsourcing social services ("sociale tilbud") and residential care ("bosteder") in Denmark. With annual costs of almost 60 billion DKK and around 194,000 social service recipients, this research examines whether outsourcing impacts are driven primarily by provider characteristics or by implementation and regulation. The project combines quantitative analysis of administrative data with qualitative investigation of contracting and outsourcing.
Because the project involves both quantitative and qualitative research, the ideal candidate is methodologically versatile and possesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills. But the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate has an academic interest in social policy and care, and that they can demonstrate that they have the relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.
Responsibilities and tasks
A postdoc at ISE is expected to;
The ideal candidate for this position is expected to;
The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and will be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within a relevant field (e.g., business studies or social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of the social care system (“socialområdet”) in Denmark, and understanding or relevant theories related to outsourcing, contracting out, and privatisation. Danish language proficiency is not required but advantageous.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;
Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen by email: ambm@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean of Social Sciences.
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
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)
Please submit your application no later than April 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.
Roskilde Universitets fornemmeste opgave er eksperimenterende, nyskabende former for læring, forskning og problemløsning, som flytter samfundet fremad. Vi uddanner kompetente tværfaglige kandidater og skaber videnskabelige resultater af højeste kvalitet gennem åbenhed, involvering og videndeling.
Roskilde Universitet har ca. 6.900 studerende, 900 ansatte og 888 mio. kr. i årlig omsætning.
The Department of Social Sciences and Business
ISE conducts excellent, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research based on anthropology, business studies, development studies, economics, legal studies, political science, and sociology. We offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment characterized by academic and methodological diversity in research and education. Our faculty put a strong emphasis on research methodologies and are dedicated to gaining insights into businesses and society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. We produce research at the highest international level that feeds into our educational programmes, while simultaneously leveraging our research to impact social, economic, and political change. Research in the department is organized in research groups. The selected candidate is expected to join Roskilde School of Governance (RSG).https://ruc.dk/research-group/roskilde-school-governance Read more about the department here.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project “The privatisation paradox: evaluating social services in Denmark" funded by the Carlberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate programme and led by Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen. You will work closely with the principal investigator and project team, including collaborators at Oxford University and Roskilde University.
The project investigates the impact of outsourcing social services ("sociale tilbud") and residential care ("bosteder") in Denmark. With annual costs of almost 60 billion DKK and around 194,000 social service recipients, this research examines whether outsourcing impacts are driven primarily by provider characteristics or by implementation and regulation. The project combines quantitative analysis of administrative data with qualitative investigation of contracting and outsourcing.
Because the project involves both quantitative and qualitative research, the ideal candidate is methodologically versatile and possesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills. But the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate has an academic interest in social policy and care, and that they can demonstrate that they have the relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.
Responsibilities and tasks
A postdoc at ISE is expected to;
- conduct and publish research at the highest international level
- participate in research groups, seminars and other relevant activities
- contribute to both the academic and social life of the research group and the department
- show good academic citizenship
- teach and supervise on relevant programmes at the department
The ideal candidate for this position is expected to;
- conduct and contribute to high quality research on social care outsourcing in Denmark
- have advanced skills in either qualitative research methods and stakeholder engagement and/or quantitative skills
- understand Danish regulation and national politics relating to social services
- support and contribute to data harmonisation and analysis of social service provision in Denmark
- support and contribute to in-depth interviews with municipalities and providers
- support and contribute to facilitating co-production workshops with stakeholders
- stakeholder engagement and management
- oversee day-to-day administration of the research project
- contribute ideas for new research projects
The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and will be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within a relevant field (e.g., business studies or social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
- Experience with and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary work
- Strong academic writing skills in English
- Proficiency in Danish
- Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant theories from public administration and political science to social services
- Experience conducting quantitative analysis
- Experience and willingness to work with large administrative datasets
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, or Stata)
- The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of the research team
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of the social care system (“socialområdet”) in Denmark, and understanding or relevant theories related to outsourcing, contracting out, and privatisation. Danish language proficiency is not required but advantageous.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;
- Relevant research experience that enables the candidate to work independently on the topic
- Ability to demonstrate research skills that are valuable to the topic and project deliverables
- Scientific production and research prospective
- Ability to promote and utilize research results
- Ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation
Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen by email: ambm@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean of Social Sciences.
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
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)
Please submit your application no later than April 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.
Roskilde Universitets fornemmeste opgave er eksperimenterende, nyskabende former for læring, forskning og problemløsning, som flytter samfundet fremad. Vi uddanner kompetente tværfaglige kandidater og skaber videnskabelige resultater af højeste kvalitet gennem åbenhed, involvering og videndeling.
Roskilde Universitet har ca. 6.900 studerende, 900 ansatte og 888 mio. kr. i årlig omsætning.