The Department of People and Technology (IMT), Roskilde University, invites applications for one research position in Healing Architecture and Sensory Ethnography. Depending on the qualifications and career stage of the successful candidate, the position will be filled either as a PhD fellowship or as a three-year postdoctoral position. The position will commence from November 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is part of the Carlsberg Accomplish project VITAL PLACES for Mental Healing: Therapeutic Processes across Clinical, Virtual and Natural Sites, led by Professor Nete Schwennesen. The project aims to advance understanding of the relationship between place and mental healing by exploring how place is experienced, practiced, and sensed across clinical, virtual, and natural settings. The project develops sensory ethnographic methods to capture the multisensory aspects of place in therapeutic processes, as well as their situated material, social, and affective dimensions. The research is organized around four work packages (WPs): WP1: Healing Architecture, WP2: Virtual Therapy, WP3: Green Care Farming, and WP4: Nature Therapy. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting research within WP1, Healing Architecture, and will work closely with Professor Nete Schwennesen and the rest of the research team. The team will be fully assembled in autumn 2026 and will offer a vibrant and supportive environment for academic development and collaboration as well as opportunities for national and international network and outreach.
The position is hosted by the Health and Society Section covering an interdisciplinary group of researchers, focusing on contemporary health-related issues and challenges and characterized by academic and methodological curiosity and diversity. The section generates research at the highest international level that feeds into educational programs, such as Master in Critical Health Studies, Master in Health Promotion, Master in Nursing Science and BA programs in Humanities and Technology (HUMTEK) and Health Promotion. The section collaborates extensively with external partners at local, regional, and national levels, hereby contributing to societal change, while simultaneously emphasizing international outreach and collaboration with international partners. The section is part of department of People and Technology(IMT) - the largest department at Roskilde University, researching human – society – technology interactions.
Responsibilities and tasks – both positions
The candidate for this position is expected to:
- Conduct research and ethnographic fieldwork on healing architecture in clinical psychiatry
- Develop and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals in collaboration with the project team.
- Contribute to developing new theoretical understandings and conceptualizations of the ‘vitality of place’ in mental healing processes.
- Contribute to advance sensorial ethnographic methods to capture multi-sensorial aspects of place
- Develop and nurture research networks and collaboration nationally and internationally in collaboration with the research team
- Disseminate research to the public and experiment with formats that allow for multisensory communication
- Engage in problem-oriented teaching and supervision primarily in relation to the MA in Critical Health Studies, by agreement
- Demonstrate academic citizenship in everyday academic life in the department and the section
- Actively contribute to the research environment in the section by visible and physical presence
Responsibilities and tasks – PhD fellowship
- The PhD position is an educational position, and the main tasks are in accordance with Chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions.
- Complete relevant PhD courses, equivalent to approximately 30 ECTS.
- Write and defend a PhD thesis based on the research project.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a master’s degree (for the PhD position) or a PhD degree (for the postdoc position) or equivalent within social studies of health (e.g., sociology, anthropology, public health, healthcare architecture, material culture, science and technology studies) or a related field. Qualifications within the following areas are required:
- Strong qualitative fieldwork skills, preferably with experience in sensory ethnography.
- Experience or interest in research on the intersection between the built environment and mental health.
- Experience with stakeholder collaboration
- Interest in becoming an active member of a research team where mutual support, collaboration, trust and generosity are core values.
- Interest in developing relevant research networks and collaborations nationally and internationally
- Proficiency in Danish (or Swedish/Norwegian) at a level sufficient for doing research, teaching and supervision in Danish.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:
- relevance of research expertise, including methodological skills, scientific production and research prospective
- the ability to produce, promote and utilize research results
- the ability to lead and develop independent research in close collaboration with a research team
- experience with problem-oriented teaching and supervision
- ability to contribute to the development of internal and external collaboration
Applicants should indicate whether they wish to be considered for the PhD fellowship or the postdoctoral position.
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Head of Health and Society Section Professor Nete Schwennesen tel. +45 46743638 / netes@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is a full-time, three-year position (37 hours per week), and you will report to the Head of Department at IMT, RUC.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.
According to the Pay Transparency Directive, the salary ranges for the various job categories at Roskilde University are listed here.
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:
- Letter og motivation
- CV
- Documentation of education
- If applicable: Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
- If applicable: A complete list of publications
- If applicable: 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).
- A three-page research proposal outlining a proposed approach to WP1; Healing architecture, including relevant research questions, methodological considerations, and anticipated contributions to the overall project throughout the three-year project period.
Please submit your application no later than September 15, 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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Roskilde Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Roskilde Universitet, Universitetsvej, 4000 Roskilde
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 01-09-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/86bee7ad-9ce5-4dba-8de2-a395ab6eb16a
