Postdoc position in Farmers’ perceptions on Feed Ingredients from organic Waste for Green Transition
fuldtid
Postdoc position in Farmers’ perceptions on Feed Ingredients from organic Waste for Green Transition
The Department of Social Sciences at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the PROFIT project "Protein Revolution: Obtain Feed Ingredients from wastes for green Transition," led by WP leader Associate Professor Sevasti Chatzopoulou. The position is for 14 months, starting from December 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Department of Social Sciences and Business
The Postdoc’s daily workplace will be the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE), at Roskilde University. The Department’s research focuses on societal changes, conflict dynamics, business economics and the impact of such developments on different societies around the world. We aim at generating novel scientific insights into the on-going societal changes, confrontations and conflicts. As our teaching is closely related to our research activities it attaches high importance to methodological skills and is characterised by its multidisciplinary nature. Read more about the Department of Social Sciences.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project PROFIT "Protein Revolution: Obtain Feed Ingredients from wastes for green Transition," funded by the InnovationsFond led by Dr Sevasti Chatzopoulou. As postdoc you will work closely with the WP leader and the project team, including researchers at Danish Technical University, and corsortium collaborators Knowledge Hub Zealand, Amager Ressourcecenter, Unibio and Copenhagen Municipality.
The project investigates the actors’ interactions and the factors that shape the perceptions of the potential end-users’ (farmers) in using the innovative PROFIT single cell proteinous product in Denmark. The PROFIT product is based on advanced biological technology that transforms organic matter (food waste) to value protein for animal feed with important environmental and socioeconomic implications. Denmark needs to import 1.5 million tons of soybean meal for feed from Argentina and Brazil annually. The PROFIT product can replace other animal feed sources such as soy meal, that are mainly imported and have a negative environmental impact. Thus, an alternative protein source is urgently needed to aid the future green transition of food and agriculture sectors. As there are no currently efficient systems capable of integrating organic waste treatment and nutrient recovery for microbial protein production for animal feed, the original project aims to fill an important gap by developing an integrated technology platform.
Because the project involves both quantitative and qualitative research, the ideal candidate is methodologically versatile and possesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills. However, the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate is interested in research on the governance, perceptions and attitudes towards BioSolutions and novel food/feed products towards innovative green transition solutions; has relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to produce innovative and applicable knowledge based on social science and contribute to the project.
Quantitatively, the work could involve developing surveys, conducting statistical analysis, and analysing the role of social interactions within the sector in the development of farmers’ perceptions about related risks. Qualitatively, the work could involve understanding and assessing the factors shaping farmers perceptions through qualitative methods by conducting in-depth interviews with farmers and suppliers.
Read more here.
Responsibilities and tasks
The postdoc’s work will include research within social sciences.
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., social sciences, public administration, public policy, social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of the food governance and food biotech policy in Denmark, and understanding of relevant risk governance, network governance and risk perception theories related to new technologies. 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 Sevasti Chatzopoulou by email: seva@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean of Social Sciences Morten Frederiksen.
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. If duties include teaching: Min. two pages reflecting on the applicant’s approach and experience with teaching or alternatively a full 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 August 31, 2025.
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 Social Sciences and Business
The Postdoc’s daily workplace will be the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE), at Roskilde University. The Department’s research focuses on societal changes, conflict dynamics, business economics and the impact of such developments on different societies around the world. We aim at generating novel scientific insights into the on-going societal changes, confrontations and conflicts. As our teaching is closely related to our research activities it attaches high importance to methodological skills and is characterised by its multidisciplinary nature. Read more about the Department of Social Sciences.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project PROFIT "Protein Revolution: Obtain Feed Ingredients from wastes for green Transition," funded by the InnovationsFond led by Dr Sevasti Chatzopoulou. As postdoc you will work closely with the WP leader and the project team, including researchers at Danish Technical University, and corsortium collaborators Knowledge Hub Zealand, Amager Ressourcecenter, Unibio and Copenhagen Municipality.
The project investigates the actors’ interactions and the factors that shape the perceptions of the potential end-users’ (farmers) in using the innovative PROFIT single cell proteinous product in Denmark. The PROFIT product is based on advanced biological technology that transforms organic matter (food waste) to value protein for animal feed with important environmental and socioeconomic implications. Denmark needs to import 1.5 million tons of soybean meal for feed from Argentina and Brazil annually. The PROFIT product can replace other animal feed sources such as soy meal, that are mainly imported and have a negative environmental impact. Thus, an alternative protein source is urgently needed to aid the future green transition of food and agriculture sectors. As there are no currently efficient systems capable of integrating organic waste treatment and nutrient recovery for microbial protein production for animal feed, the original project aims to fill an important gap by developing an integrated technology platform.
Because the project involves both quantitative and qualitative research, the ideal candidate is methodologically versatile and possesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills. However, the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate is interested in research on the governance, perceptions and attitudes towards BioSolutions and novel food/feed products towards innovative green transition solutions; has relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to produce innovative and applicable knowledge based on social science and contribute to the project.
Quantitatively, the work could involve developing surveys, conducting statistical analysis, and analysing the role of social interactions within the sector in the development of farmers’ perceptions about related risks. Qualitatively, the work could involve understanding and assessing the factors shaping farmers perceptions through qualitative methods by conducting in-depth interviews with farmers and suppliers.
Read more here.
Responsibilities and tasks
The postdoc’s work will include research within social sciences.
- Conduct and contribute to high quality research on governance and risk perceptions on novel biotechnological solutions towards green in Denmark;
- Possess advanced skills in either quantitative analysis and/or qualitative research methods
- Support and contribute to data collection and analysis of farmers’ perceptions about novel BioSolutions in Denmark
- Support and contribute to in-depth interviews with farmers and suppliers of such novel food product
- Support and contribute to facilitating co-production workshops with stakeholders
- 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., social sciences, public administration, public policy, social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
- Experience with or willingness to learn quantitative research methods and statistical analysis
- Experience and willingness to work with survey data
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Social Network Analysis)
- Experience with or willingness to learn qualitative research methods
- Skills in workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement
- Strong academic writing skills in English
- The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of the research tea
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of the food governance and food biotech policy in Denmark, and understanding of relevant risk governance, network governance and risk perception theories related to new technologies. 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 development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Dr Sevasti Chatzopoulou by email: seva@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean of Social Sciences Morten Frederiksen.
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. If duties include teaching: Min. two pages reflecting on the applicant’s approach and experience with teaching or alternatively a full 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 August 31, 2025.
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.