PhD opportunity in social sustainability and working life at Roskilde University

The Section for Working life and Social Sustainability at the Department of People and Technology (IMT), Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as PhD student of social science. The candidate will begin on December 1st 2026. The position as a PhD student is limited to a period of 3 years.

Description of the PhD project
The Section of Working Life and Social Sustainability invites PhD applications concerning social sustainability in working life, organizations, and beyond.

The section’s research focuses on social change, how it arises, is created, and how it affects people's living conditions, participation and working lives. We specialize in collaborative and participatory research. A special focus is on interventions in all types of organizations and workplaces, and how they enhance or reduce social sustainability.

We invite applications related to:

• Gender equality and gender-based harassment
• New perspectives on democracy and influence in working life
• Socially sustainable organizations and working lives
• Social inequality and inclusion in the welfare society

Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of and interest in empirical, qualitative research methods as a foundation for the PhD project. Quantitative research applications are not relevant to this call.

The primary supervisor of the PhD project will be a senior VIP in the section of Work and Social Sustainability.

Section of Work and Social Sustainability and the Doctoral School of People and Technology
You will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of People and Technology. Read more about the doctoral school here: https://ruc.dk/en/doctoral-school-people-and-technology.

As a PhD Student you will be placed in the Section of Working Life and Social Sustainability and be part of one of the two research group: OrgESS (Organisation, Ethics & Social Sustainability) or ALIV (Working Life) at IMT/RUC.

OrgESS is an interdisciplinary, social science research group engaged in creating new, critical knowledge on social change, how it arises, is created and can support people's opportunities to live meaningful lives across various societal and organizational changes. OrgESS theorizes and conceptualizes how societal transformations become socially sustainable. Therefore, OrgESS’ researchers develop and engage in multiple forms of participatory research methods. A particular interest for the research group is the connection between social change and (in)equality.

The Working Life research group conducts cross-disciplinary research drawing on the humanities and social science – more specifically the fields of social psychology, education and sociology of work. The focus of research is transformations of contemporary work and their consequences for working life. A common characteristic is a strong empirical emphasis, contributing to an orientation towards dialogue with practitioners and a wish to support innovation and change in dialogue with society.

The Department of People and Technology
The Department of People and Technology encompasses human, social, health and IT sciences as well as planning, intervention and design-oriented disciplines. In round figures, the institute employs 150 academic staff, 30 TAP, 50 PhD students (internal and external) and 80 external lecturers. Also, a varying number of research assistants and student assistants are employed. The Department develops interdisciplinary and sustainable solutions to important societal challenges. Research and development work is carried out in close collaboration with public, private and civil society organizations. The department utilizes a wide range of innovative and experimental research approaches that support human agency and active engagement in everyday life.

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 feedback in the PhD program to finish your PhD thesis. During your employment you are required to take 30 ECTS of course work and gain experience of teaching activities. You are also required to have a research exchange (3-6 months) during your PhD enrollment. The environment change can take place at foreign or local universities or research institutions. The PhD position is an educational position, and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Program at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf).

Qualifications
You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within the field of social science. You should have documented skills in qualitative methods. Qualifications within the following areas are required:

• Fluency in Danish, since the project is expected to include Danish-language fieldwork

We also emphasize the following qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for collaborative research and participatory knowledge development
• Excellent communication skills in both written and oral English
• Creativity and capable of independent research work

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 collaborations across different sections of the IMT department.

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
• Grades at master’s program or equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
  • A motivated research question, theoretical concepts, and empirical design should be presented.
  • Considerations regarding theoretical and methodological approaches
  • Your project description is limited to 5 pages/ 12.000 characters (excl. references and time schedule)
• 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 seems realistic and feasible
• Ability to complete the PhD project
• Relevance of the project to the profiles of the Doctoral School and the Section of Working Life and Social Sustainability

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact:
Associate professor Jo Krøjer jokr@ruc.dk or Associate Professor Agnete Meldgaard Hansen agmeha@ruc.dk

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to Peter Kjær, 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 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 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 August 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: 12-08-2026;

Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/1d415099-7a4a-4729-97d9-e9f12f027e79