Postdoc of urban studies and sociology
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Postdoc of urban studies and sociology
Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as postdoc of urban studies and sociology from 1st September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as postdoc is limited to a period of 1,5 years.
The Department of People and Technology at RUC is the university's largest department, encompassing a wide range of disciplines centered on the interactions between humans, society, and technology. Key areas of focus include sustainable transitions, social interventions and entrepreneurship, urban planning, digital transformation, data science, and work and health studies, among others. This position is associated with the MOSPUS research group, which explores the spatial reorganization of society. The group investigates the dynamic relationships between everyday life, culture, settlement patterns, industries, mobility, social exclusion, intercultural relations, new technologies, and the creative industries - calling for innovative theoretical and practical approaches.
Read more about the MOSPUS research group here: https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/organisations/mobilitet-rum-sted-og-urbane-studier-mospus
Read more about the department here: https://ruc.dk/en/department-people-and-technology
Responsibilities and tasks
The candidate is expected to contribute to the research project “Criminals in the Neighborhood: Living and Working Near Criminals”, financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project seeks to explore the relationship between crime and urban communities; more specifically, how the public presence of criminals in disadvantaged neighborhoods influences and affects otherwise law-abiding residents, public institutions, and private enterprises.
The postdoc will work in close collaboration with the project’s Principal Investigator, Hakan Kalkan, in carrying out the research. Within the broader project framework, the postdoc will focus on residents in selected neighborhoods, while Hakan will focus on institutions and enterprises.
Through interviews with residents, possibly complemented by ethnographic observations of local public life, the postdoc will examine how residents subjectively, socially, and collectively react to and deal with the everyday presence of criminals. This includes investigating matters such as the use of public spaces, engagement with public institutions and private enterprises, economic activities, social relations (including possible relations and interactions with criminals), and childrearing practices. The postdoc will furthermore disseminate the findings through publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in sociology, urban studies, anthropology, criminology, or related fields. As the interviews will be conducted in Danish, the applicant is expected to speak Danish. Since the residents may be from ethnic minority backgrounds, proficiency in other languages (such as Arabic or Turkish) will also be an advantage, though not a requirement. Previous publications in international journals will likewise be considered an advantage.
One or more qualifications within the following scientific areas are required:
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities.
Applicants must have obtained their PhD degree no more than four years prior to the deadline of the grant application funding this position.
For this position, the grant application deadline was 16 April 2024. The PhD degree must therefore have been awarded on or after 15 April 2020.
Periods of relevant leave or documented illness may be deducted from the calculation of PhD age in accordance with applicable rules.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates consideration will be given to;
Questions
For further information about the postdoc, please contact associate professor Hakan Kalkan on tel. (+45) 4674 3794 or head of section Thomas Budde Christensen on tel. (+45) 2078 4379.
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to head of department Peter Kjær.
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 Danish or 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 10, 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.
The Department of People and Technology at RUC is the university's largest department, encompassing a wide range of disciplines centered on the interactions between humans, society, and technology. Key areas of focus include sustainable transitions, social interventions and entrepreneurship, urban planning, digital transformation, data science, and work and health studies, among others. This position is associated with the MOSPUS research group, which explores the spatial reorganization of society. The group investigates the dynamic relationships between everyday life, culture, settlement patterns, industries, mobility, social exclusion, intercultural relations, new technologies, and the creative industries - calling for innovative theoretical and practical approaches.
Read more about the MOSPUS research group here: https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/organisations/mobilitet-rum-sted-og-urbane-studier-mospus
Read more about the department here: https://ruc.dk/en/department-people-and-technology
Responsibilities and tasks
The candidate is expected to contribute to the research project “Criminals in the Neighborhood: Living and Working Near Criminals”, financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project seeks to explore the relationship between crime and urban communities; more specifically, how the public presence of criminals in disadvantaged neighborhoods influences and affects otherwise law-abiding residents, public institutions, and private enterprises.
The postdoc will work in close collaboration with the project’s Principal Investigator, Hakan Kalkan, in carrying out the research. Within the broader project framework, the postdoc will focus on residents in selected neighborhoods, while Hakan will focus on institutions and enterprises.
Through interviews with residents, possibly complemented by ethnographic observations of local public life, the postdoc will examine how residents subjectively, socially, and collectively react to and deal with the everyday presence of criminals. This includes investigating matters such as the use of public spaces, engagement with public institutions and private enterprises, economic activities, social relations (including possible relations and interactions with criminals), and childrearing practices. The postdoc will furthermore disseminate the findings through publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in sociology, urban studies, anthropology, criminology, or related fields. As the interviews will be conducted in Danish, the applicant is expected to speak Danish. Since the residents may be from ethnic minority backgrounds, proficiency in other languages (such as Arabic or Turkish) will also be an advantage, though not a requirement. Previous publications in international journals will likewise be considered an advantage.
One or more qualifications within the following scientific areas are required:
- Qualitative research methods, particularly interviews
- Disadvantaged neighborhoods
- Neighborhood relations
- The use of public space
- Criminal groups
- Family and childrearing practices
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities.
Applicants must have obtained their PhD degree no more than four years prior to the deadline of the grant application funding this position.
For this position, the grant application deadline was 16 April 2024. The PhD degree must therefore have been awarded on or after 15 April 2020.
Periods of relevant leave or documented illness may be deducted from the calculation of PhD age in accordance with applicable rules.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates consideration will be given to;
- scientific production and research prospective at an international level in the fields listed above,
- the ability to promote and utilize research results,
- ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
Questions
For further information about the postdoc, please contact associate professor Hakan Kalkan on tel. (+45) 4674 3794 or head of section Thomas Budde Christensen on tel. (+45) 2078 4379.
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to head of department Peter Kjær.
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 Danish or 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 10, 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.