The Department of People and Technology (IMT), Roskilde University, invites applications for a post doc position in the research project: AUTHENTIC (EM)POWER(MENT): EXPLORING AUTHENTICITY AS THE NEW CAPITAL OF PSYCHIATRY. The candidate will begin 1/12 – 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post doc position is limited to a period of 3 years and will include teaching.
Description of the Post doc
The post doc project is part of a larger project, funded by the Velux Fondation: ‘Authentic (em)power(ment): exploring authenticity as the new capital of psychiatry’ (2026-2030). The project will explore how user involvement has become a key concept in the healthcare system, including the field of psychiatry, urging users to engage not only in their own recovery processes, but also as stakeholders in organizational work, and as co-producers of knowledge. User involvement not only changes the healthcare system, but also ideas about what and who users are (or become), and what they represent. On the one hand they represent a unique voice that exists outside of what is viewed as professional and institutional framing. On the other hand, their voices and experiences are co-produced by the very same settings. In this project, we bring the philosophical ideas of authenticity to the field of user involvement to investigate how authenticity is co-produced and how it is involved in processes of user (em)power(ment). The aim of the project is to theorize authenticity as a form of capital in the psychiatric system, drawing on, but not limited to, the notions of capital (Bourdieu 1986; Wacquant 1993) subjectified subjectivity (Pedersen & Bang 2016), and patient norms (Holen 2011).
As part of the project, the post doc will explore the following questions:
- how authenticity is negotiated and given meaning in the transformation from user to stakeholder and/or political actor. Emphasis is on the creation of policies 'from below', understood as concrete meetings in everyday life, where user voices are at stake. This includes looking at situated constructions of credibility, advocacy, and influence.
- how psychiatric service users are included as knowledge agents in research. Emphasis is on the creation of medical knowledge as unfolding in the field of psychiatry where both internal and external demands have arisen to involve service users and relatives in research, promoting the inclusion of personal experiences. This includes looking at how user involvement in research at the same time functions as a quality marker – and even a requirement – and challenges ideals within medical knowledge as being objective and neutral.
The primary supervisor of the post doc is Professor Mari Holen, and co-supervisor is Associate Professor Sofie Pedersen (both at IMT, Roskilde University).
The position includes a research stay abroad with our collaborative partners at either London Southbank University (Paula Reavey) or Nottingham Trent University (Steven Brown).
An Interdisciplinary Research Anchoring at The Department of People and Technology
The Department of People and Technology (IMT) encompasses human, social, health and IT sciences as well as planning, intervention and design-oriented disciplines. The Department is orientated towards developing interdisciplinary and sustainable solutions to important societal challenges. Research and development work is carried out in close collaboration with public, private and civil organizations. The department utilizes a wide range of innovative and experimental research approaches that support human agency and active engagement in everyday life.
As the Velux project is an interdisciplinary research project, it is based in the intersection of the sections of Psychology & Education and Health & Society at IMT. As a post doc you will become part of both environments and are thus invited into a strong interdisciplinary research environment where you will encounter a highly engaged team of researchers, who are open to new theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.
Responsibilities and tasks
The postdoc’s work will primarily include research and research-based teaching and supervision within health and/or social psychology respectively. Furthermore, the post doc is expected to write scientific papers to be published in the international literature, to attend national and international conferences, and to engage in scientific communication and public dissemination.
The ideal candidate is expected to:
- Engage and collaborate with external partners and stakeholders within the Danish psychiatric landscape
- Independently plan, design and conduct in‑depth qualitative research, including ethnographic fieldwork such as participant observation
- Analyse diverse empirical materials such as policy documents, interview data, and observational fieldnotes
- Contribute to the development of theoretical perspectives on authenticity in user involvement in psychiatry
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent within health, psychology, sociology, anthropology or related disciplines. Qualifications within the following scientific areas are required:
- Exhibit curiosity-driven research excellence, thinking beyond traditional boundaries
- Fluency in Danish and English
- Have a publication record that demonstrates significant, scientific contributions within theory-driven qualitative research in the field of psychiatry and/or user involvement
- Have relevant teaching and supervision experience at university level equivalent to that attained through a PhD degree, documented through a teaching portfolio
- Strong competencies in qualitative research methods
- Professional experience with collaborating with partners in the broad psychiatric sector
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved 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;
- Research qualifications
- Scientific production
- Research prospective and the ability to promote and utilize research results
- Experience in teaching and education
- Other academic experience e.g. from organizing research conferences or seminars
- Work experience from the psychiatric field e.g. clinical and/or social work or development projects
Questions
For further information about the position or project, please contact Professor Mari Holen, holen@ruc.dk Phone +45-20577369 or Associate Professor Sofie Pedersen, sofieped@ruc.dk Phone: +45-4674 3625.
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
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. 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 August 17th 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: 17-08-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/af397d90-07c5-46eb-a840-23800fd66f4d
