Postdoctoral Scholar in Food Systems and Food Studies
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Postdoctoral Scholar in Food Systems and Food Studies
Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in Food systems or Food studies from August 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. This position offers 2 years' employment within the research group TRANSITIONS with the possibility of extension.
The Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University works with inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to research and spans social sciences and the humanities, natural science and technology, with a predominant emphasis on the social sciences.
The TRANSITIONS research group aims at generating transdisciplinary knowledge about sustainable transitions with a focus on the interactions between societal and technological development. The group's ambition is to increase understanding of how environmental regulation, planning and governance can facilitate sustainability transitions in key societal sectors and domains. The research concerns sustainable energy systems, agrifood and biosystems, and circular economy.
Responsibilities and tasks
Your work will include research (including publication/academic dissemination work) and knowledge sharing more broadly – including participation in public debate.
You will primarily be involved in the two European projects RegioFoods (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/ruralia-institute/regiofoods ) and FoSSNet (https://fossnet.eu/). Within both projects, you will be expected to have a key role in the design and writing process of project deliverables and peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with the RUC team and partners within the project consortiums.
Your tasks in RegioFoods will be concentrated on the following in collaboration with the RUC team:
Your tasks in FoSSNet will primarily concentrate on the following:
The tasks in both projects are carried out in close collaboration with colleagues at RUC and international partners in the projects, with decisions being made collaboratively. Thus, it is a prerequisite that you thrive in collaborative work, while also being able to ‘get things done’ on your own and drive a process as the main responsible.
The ideal candidate is expected to
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent, and qualifications within one or more of the following areas.
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills and be a visible, engaged participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to the following in prioritized order;
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Stine Rosenlund Hansen: stroha@ruc.dk, or Niels Heine Kristensen: nheinek@ruc.dk.
Terms of employment
The employment is on 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 Head of Department 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. A complete list of publications
5. 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 May 21, 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 hiring process at Roskilde University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
The Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University works with inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to research and spans social sciences and the humanities, natural science and technology, with a predominant emphasis on the social sciences.
The TRANSITIONS research group aims at generating transdisciplinary knowledge about sustainable transitions with a focus on the interactions between societal and technological development. The group's ambition is to increase understanding of how environmental regulation, planning and governance can facilitate sustainability transitions in key societal sectors and domains. The research concerns sustainable energy systems, agrifood and biosystems, and circular economy.
Responsibilities and tasks
Your work will include research (including publication/academic dissemination work) and knowledge sharing more broadly – including participation in public debate.
You will primarily be involved in the two European projects RegioFoods (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/ruralia-institute/regiofoods ) and FoSSNet (https://fossnet.eu/). Within both projects, you will be expected to have a key role in the design and writing process of project deliverables and peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with the RUC team and partners within the project consortiums.
Your tasks in RegioFoods will be concentrated on the following in collaboration with the RUC team:
- Leading a stakeholder mapping within Nordic-Baltic food systems and support the formation of regional taskforces
- Setting-up and running a Nordic-Baltic Food Systems Observatory
- Designing and facilitating science-policy dialogues around food systems transformation
- Gathering data on local food systems in Zealand, Denmark, and potentially support analysis (analysis will primarily be carried out by other project partners)
Your tasks in FoSSNet will primarily concentrate on the following:
- Supporting piloting and refinement of an indicator framework for inclusive knowledge production in food systems science, and development of roadmaps towards inclusive, inter- and transdisciplinary food system science and governance
- Potentially contribute to educational activities in food systems science, including curriculum piloting.
- Organization of meetings, workshops, and conferences within the project and for outreach.
- In collaboration with the team, support work on the conceptual foundations of food system science, including its knowledge and innovation systems
The tasks in both projects are carried out in close collaboration with colleagues at RUC and international partners in the projects, with decisions being made collaboratively. Thus, it is a prerequisite that you thrive in collaborative work, while also being able to ‘get things done’ on your own and drive a process as the main responsible.
The ideal candidate is expected to
- Be experienced in interdisciplinary collaboration and preferably within international teams
- Be experienced in design and facilitation of collaborative processes, including transdisciplinary collaborations
- Be experienced in qualitative methodology
- Be proactive in contributing to the development of the research field at RUC
- Be oriented towards contributing to a good collegial work environment
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent, and qualifications within one or more of the following areas.
- Food systems science or systems perspectives on food studies
- Science-policy-society interfaces within the field of food systems
- Participatory process
- Sustainable transition studies
- Experience with inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, preferably in larger projects
- Experience or interest in Science and Technology Studies (STS), Postmodern/posthuman and/or feminist approaches
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills and be a visible, engaged participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to the following in prioritized order;
- research topic,
- scientific production and research prospective at an international level,
- project management, collaboration and organisation
- the ability to promote and utilize research results,
- experience in teaching and education development and management,
- basis academic experience, preferably including international academic experience, e.g. from reviewing or editing academic papers and/or from organizing research conferences or seminars,
- ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation.
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Stine Rosenlund Hansen: stroha@ruc.dk, or Niels Heine Kristensen: nheinek@ruc.dk.
Terms of employment
The employment is on 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 Head of Department 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. A complete list of publications
5. 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 May 21, 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 hiring process at Roskilde University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.