Postdoctoral position in Sociolinguistics at TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives (Center of Excellence), University of Copenhagen
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Postdoctoral position in Sociolinguistics at TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives (Center of Excellence), University of Copenhagen
Postdoctoral position in Sociolinguistics at TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives (Center of Excellence), University of Copenhagen
The Center of Excellence TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in sociolinguistics, with a particular focus on the center’s thematic focus Encounters.
The position is a 30-month full-time appointment starting 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
About TRANSITION
TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation for up to 10 years. It is hosted by the Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS) at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark. The center investigates how the profound rural–urban transitions of the 20th and 21st centuries shaped people’s lived experiences, identities, and cultural imaginaries. It combines sociolinguistic, literary, and historical scholarship, drawing on unique archives such as the Dialect Archive, the LANCHART corpus, the National Museum’s ethnological collections, and Danish literary history.
About the position
The successful candidate will design and carry out an independent research project that fits within TRANSITION’s agenda, specifically linked to the center’s thematic focus Encounters exploring the individuals’ encounters with new contexts, linguistic and cultural codes, and shifting social norms as moments of transition.
The right candidate has experiences with research at the intersection of mobility and language in Denmark and/or the Nordic countries covering the second half of the 20th century (1945-present). A focus on class and social mobility and their connection to language is of particular interest as well as an interest in rural-urban transitions and movements.
The postdoc is expected to work with the center’s sociolinguistic data resources and to contribute to the center’s interdisciplinary activities, including joint data sessions and co-publications. The project plan should outline how the applicant’s expertise in sociolinguistics can illuminate the lived experiences of rural–urban transitions.
Supervisor: Professor Pia Quist (Director of TRANSITION).
Required qualifications
Applications must be submitted electronically, in PDF or Microsoft Word format, via the “Apply now” button at the bottom of this page.
The application must include the following documents (in English, Danish, Swedish, or Norwegian):
Salary and terms of employment
Salary, pension, and terms are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at approx. DKK 39,200 per month + an 18.07 % contribution to the
pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
Further information on the qualification requirements for postdocs can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2025 here: https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/375 (In Danish only).
Place of employment
The place of employment is TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives, Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS), Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen.
The recruitment process
After the application deadline, an appointment committee shortlists candidates for assessment. All applicants are notified whether they are shortlisted. An expert assessment committee then evaluates shortlisted candidates, whose names will be communicated. Applicants can comment on the assessment before the appointment is finalized. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview.
As an applicant to the University of Copenhagen, you should be prepared to undergo a security screening related to international research collaboration as part of the recruitment process. The security screening will be conducted in cases where the University deems it appropriate based on an overall assessment.
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/
An equal opportunity workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed to equality of opportunity and an inclusive working environment. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society, and invites all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the positions.
Contact information
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The Center of Excellence TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in sociolinguistics, with a particular focus on the center’s thematic focus Encounters.
The position is a 30-month full-time appointment starting 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
About TRANSITION
TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation for up to 10 years. It is hosted by the Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS) at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark. The center investigates how the profound rural–urban transitions of the 20th and 21st centuries shaped people’s lived experiences, identities, and cultural imaginaries. It combines sociolinguistic, literary, and historical scholarship, drawing on unique archives such as the Dialect Archive, the LANCHART corpus, the National Museum’s ethnological collections, and Danish literary history.
About the position
The successful candidate will design and carry out an independent research project that fits within TRANSITION’s agenda, specifically linked to the center’s thematic focus Encounters exploring the individuals’ encounters with new contexts, linguistic and cultural codes, and shifting social norms as moments of transition.
The right candidate has experiences with research at the intersection of mobility and language in Denmark and/or the Nordic countries covering the second half of the 20th century (1945-present). A focus on class and social mobility and their connection to language is of particular interest as well as an interest in rural-urban transitions and movements.
The postdoc is expected to work with the center’s sociolinguistic data resources and to contribute to the center’s interdisciplinary activities, including joint data sessions and co-publications. The project plan should outline how the applicant’s expertise in sociolinguistics can illuminate the lived experiences of rural–urban transitions.
Supervisor: Professor Pia Quist (Director of TRANSITION).
Required qualifications
- PhD in sociolinguistics or related fields (e.g. linguistics, linguistic anthropology, linguistic sociology)
- Strong research profile, with publications demonstrating expertise in language, place, and mobility.
- Documented experience with empirical sociolinguistic methods; both qualitative and quantitative approaches are relevant.
- Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with historical, literary, and cultural studies.
- Experience with large corpora, archival material, or variationist/dialectological methods is an advantage.
Applications must be submitted electronically, in PDF or Microsoft Word format, via the “Apply now” button at the bottom of this page.
The application must include the following documents (in English, Danish, Swedish, or Norwegian):
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- Outline the applicant’s motivation to apply for the position, how the project relates to TRANSITION and describe what competencies and qualifications make them the ideal candidate for the position.
- CV (max. two pages), including research profile, methodological expertise, educational background, language skills, and other relevant skills.
- Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma). Applicants with degrees from universities where the working language is not English, German, or one of the Scandinavian languages must include a translation approved by a Danish embassy/consulate.
- Postdoc project description (max. 12,000 characters incl. spaces, excl. references) containing:
- Research question(s),
- State of the art,
- Theoretical framework,
- Methods and research design,
- Fit with TRANSITION and how the project will address TRANSITION’s research goals
- Work plan.
- Complete list of publications (up to 3 may be submitted for assessment, clearly marked with an asterisk).
- If applicable: Documentation of university-level teaching experience/teaching portfolio.
- Short statement (max. 2,400 characters) on expected development as a researcher and future career plans.
Salary and terms of employment
Salary, pension, and terms are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at approx. DKK 39,200 per month + an 18.07 % contribution to the
pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
Further information on the qualification requirements for postdocs can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2025 here: https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/375 (In Danish only).
Place of employment
The place of employment is TRANSITION – Center for Changing Urban and Rural Lives, Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS), Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen.
The recruitment process
After the application deadline, an appointment committee shortlists candidates for assessment. All applicants are notified whether they are shortlisted. An expert assessment committee then evaluates shortlisted candidates, whose names will be communicated. Applicants can comment on the assessment before the appointment is finalized. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview.
As an applicant to the University of Copenhagen, you should be prepared to undergo a security screening related to international research collaboration as part of the recruitment process. The security screening will be conducted in cases where the University deems it appropriate based on an overall assessment.
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/
An equal opportunity workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed to equality of opportunity and an inclusive working environment. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society, and invites all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the positions.
Contact information
- For questions about the recruitment process: HR South Campus (hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk), please refer to ID number: 211-2329/25-2I #2.
- For specific questions about the position and TRANSITION please contact Director of TRANSITION Prof. Pia Quist (pqj@hum.ku.dk).
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.