PhD fellowship in social policy research at Roskilde University focusing on specialised social services for adults

The Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as PhD Fellow in social policy from February 1, 2027. The position as PhD is limited to a period of 3 years.

Description of the PhD project
The PhD project will contribute to the research project "Costs and care quality in Denmark’s specialised social services", funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond). The project will establish the first integrated dataset for Denmark’s specialised social services and analyse how costs, provider characteristics, staffing qualifications, and inspection outcomes shape service quality and user outcomes. The PhD project will focus on user trajectories and outcomes in residential care, with particular attention to users in the specialised social services for adults (for example, adults with physical disabilities or complex mental health needs).

The scope of the project is all users in specialised social services, but we are especially looking for a candidate who is motivated by, and interested in, the specialised social services for adults. The research design and activities are flexible, and the PhD candidate will co-develop and independently shape the project based on their own research interests and expertise in quantitative methods. Potential approaches to this topic may (but do not need to) include activities such as:

• Mapping placement trajectories for adults in residential care using individual-level registry data from Statistics Denmark and the new Social Services Key (den Sociale Tilbudsnøgle)
• Quantifying potential selection effects to examine whether users with complex needs are excluded from or underserved by particular types of providers
• Measuring the prevalence of adverse outcomes in residential care, such as missing-person reports, and somatic or psychiatric hospital admissions
• Analysing how provider characteristics and ownership relate to placement stability and user outcomes over time
• Working with and developing theory on quasi-markets, selection mechanisms, and user outcomes in the specialised social services

The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team working on the specialised social services in Denmark, based at Roskilde University and VIVE. This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct policy-relevant, register-based research that combines rigorous quantitative analysis with close engagement with the sector and practical impact.

As part of this research project, you will:

• Develop and conduct independent research within the project’s scope, focusing on user trajectories and outcomes in the specialised social services, particularly for adults
• Construct and analyse individual-level registry data from Statistics Denmark and national administrative sources
• Engage with stakeholders, including the project’s Expert Advisory Board, user organisations, providers, and public authorities
• Author academic publications and present findings at international conferences
• Participate in the broader research team’s activities and help integrate findings on user trajectories and outcomes into the project’s overall analysis
• Contribute to developing theoretical frameworks and practice-relevant knowledge on costs, ownership, staffing, and user outcomes in the specialised social services
• Help organise and facilitate project workshops, advisory board meetings, and dissemination activities

The PhD Fellow will work closely with the principal investigator, Associate Professor Anders Bach-Mortensen (Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University), and Co-PI Britt Østergaard Larsen (VIVE), and Professor Ole Helby Petersen (RUC). The Fellow will join a cross-institutional research team spanning Roskilde University and VIVE – The Danish Center for Social Science Research.

The Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD fellow at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business with approximately 47 PhD fellows from all over the world.

The Doctoral School of Social Sciences & Business provides PhD training and research within an interdisciplinary, international, and professional environment. It is part of a dynamic community of researchers who share a commitment to understanding society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. Researchers come from all over the world and engage in topics that are geographically, theoretically and methodologically diverse. The Doctoral School has one PhD programme. The programme offers work-in-progress seminars, thematic professional development seminars, feedback and social activities for enrolled PhD fellows.As a PhD fellow you will be associated with the Roskilde School of Governance (RSG).

Responsibilities and tasks
As a PhD fellow you are trained at an international level to undertake research. You are responsible for carrying out independent research under supervision and receiving constructive feedback in the PhD program to finish your PhD thesis. During your employment you are required to take 30 ECTS of coursework, and gain experience in teaching and supervision. You are also required to have a research environmental change during your PhD enrollment. The environment change can take place at foreign or local universities or research institutions.

For more information, see chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. Read more on what it entails to be a PhD Fellow at Roskilde University.

Qualifications
You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within the social sciences (e.g., sociology, public administration, political science, economics, public health).

Qualifications within the following areas are required

• Strong analytical skills and research potential
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proficiency in Danish, which is needed to work with Danish registers, inspection reports, and the wider sector

We also emphasize the following qualifications:

• A strong interest in the specialised social services for adults (for example adults with disabilities or complex mental health needs)
• Experience with quantitative analysis of administrative or register data (e.g., Statistics Denmark microdata)
• Knowledge of the specialised social services and the Danish welfare state

You are required to be enterprising and to possess good communication skills and to be a visible, involved participant in the Department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applications are invited from both inside and outside Denmark.

Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to:

• Relevant master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education)
• Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications within the social sciences.
• Grades at a social science master’s program or equivalent.
• Quality and relevance of the project description.
  • Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices.
  • Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory.
  • If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible.
• Ability to complete the PhD project.
• Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School.
• Your project description shall be no more than 5 pages (excluding references).

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Anders Bach-Mortensen (ambm@ruc.dk). For technical or administrative questions, please contact the PhD Administration (hr-phdadmin@ruc.dk).

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Head of Department.

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.

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 including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than September 9, 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: 12-08-2026;

Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/98ff21c0-be59-4259-a3cb-b325abad1ce9