Postdoc position in social care policy and outsourcing
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Postdoc position in social care policy and outsourcing
The Department of Social Sciences at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the Independent Research Fond Denmark Inge Lehmann project "Social Mechanisms of Genetic Effects on Education," led by Associate Professor Asta Breinholt. The position is for 2 years, starting from May 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as postdoc is limited to a period of 2 years.
The Department of Social Sciences and Business
The postdoctoral fellow’s primary appointment will be within the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE) at Roskilde University. The department’s research agenda concentrates on societal transformations, conflict dynamics, business economics, and the ramifications of these developments for diverse societies worldwide. Our objective is to generate novel scientific insights into ongoing societal change, confrontation, and conflict. Because our teaching is closely integrated with our research activities, we place a high priority on methodological rigor and adopt a distinctly multidisciplinary orientation. Further information about the Department of Social Sciences is available here.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project "Social Mechanisms of Genetic Effects on Education" (SOCGEN) funded by the Independent Research Fond Denmark Inge Lehmann Programme and led by Associate Professor Asta Breinholt. As postdoc you will work closely with the principal investigator and participate in international conferences and workshops.
The purpose of the project is to analyze how genetic effects on children’s educational performance depend on the social environment. Research shows that children’s educational performance is affected both by genetics and the social environment provided by parents, daycare, and school. However, we are just starting to understand that educational performance results from the interplay between genetics and the social environment. The project contributes to this emergent research by asking (1) Does the social environment provided by parents, daycare, and school mediate and moderate the effect of children’s genotype on their educational performance? (2) Do these social mechanisms of genetic effects differ across socioeconomic status? The project uses large-scale quantitative datasets with information on genotype, parenting, childcare, and educational records and leverages the natural experiment of conception to identify the effect of child genotype on educational performance.
The ideal candidate is experienced in quantitative research and familiar with analysis of molecular genetic data using software such as Python, PLINK, KIN, PRSice etc. However, the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate is interested in social science genetics research, and that they can demonstrate that they have relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.
Responsibilities and tasks
The ideal candidate 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., sociology, economics, statistics, social policy, psychology, social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of social science genetics, sociogenomics, and theories related to social stratification, social reproduction, and sociology of education.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;
Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Dr. Asta Breinholt by email: astab@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 (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 December 12, 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 postdoctoral fellow’s primary appointment will be within the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE) at Roskilde University. The department’s research agenda concentrates on societal transformations, conflict dynamics, business economics, and the ramifications of these developments for diverse societies worldwide. Our objective is to generate novel scientific insights into ongoing societal change, confrontation, and conflict. Because our teaching is closely integrated with our research activities, we place a high priority on methodological rigor and adopt a distinctly multidisciplinary orientation. Further information about the Department of Social Sciences is available here.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project "Social Mechanisms of Genetic Effects on Education" (SOCGEN) funded by the Independent Research Fond Denmark Inge Lehmann Programme and led by Associate Professor Asta Breinholt. As postdoc you will work closely with the principal investigator and participate in international conferences and workshops.
The purpose of the project is to analyze how genetic effects on children’s educational performance depend on the social environment. Research shows that children’s educational performance is affected both by genetics and the social environment provided by parents, daycare, and school. However, we are just starting to understand that educational performance results from the interplay between genetics and the social environment. The project contributes to this emergent research by asking (1) Does the social environment provided by parents, daycare, and school mediate and moderate the effect of children’s genotype on their educational performance? (2) Do these social mechanisms of genetic effects differ across socioeconomic status? The project uses large-scale quantitative datasets with information on genotype, parenting, childcare, and educational records and leverages the natural experiment of conception to identify the effect of child genotype on educational performance.
The ideal candidate is experienced in quantitative research and familiar with analysis of molecular genetic data using software such as Python, PLINK, KIN, PRSice etc. However, the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate is interested in social science genetics research, and that they can demonstrate that they have relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.
Responsibilities and tasks
The ideal candidate is expected to
- Conduct and contribute to high quality research on social mechanisms of genetic effects;
- Possess advanced skills in quantitative research methods
- Contribute ideas for new research projects
- Write academic articles aimed at sociological or other relevant journals
- Present the project at international conferences such as the European Social Science Genetics Network and Integrating Genetics and the Social Sciences Conference
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., sociology, economics, statistics, social policy, psychology, social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:
- Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis
- Experience and willingness to work with survey and administrative data
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, or Stata)
- Strong academic writing skills in English
- The ability to work independently as well as collaborate
It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of social science genetics, sociogenomics, and theories related to social stratification, social reproduction, and sociology of education.
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. Asta Breinholt by email: astab@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 (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 December 12, 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.