The Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE) at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the European HORIZON research project “Rural revival: a life in the inspirational countryside (RURALITIC)”, the Danish part is led by Associate Professor Troels Schultz Larsen. Read more about the project here.
The position is for 20 months, starting from February 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Department of Social Sciences and Business
ISE conducts excellent, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research based on anthropology, business studies, development studies, economics, legal studies, political science, and sociology. We offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment characterized by academic and methodological diversity in research and education. Our faculty put a strong emphasis on research methodologies and are dedicated to gaining insights into businesses and society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. We produce research at the highest international level that feeds into our educational programmes, while simultaneously leveraging our research to impact social, economic, and political change. Research in the department is organized in research groups. The selected candidate is expected to join Social Dynamics and Change (SODYC). Read more about the department here.
The position
The postdoc will be part of the interdisciplinary 4-year (2025-2028) research project “Rural revival: a life in the inspirational countryside (RURALITIC)” funded by a European HORIZON Grant. The project involves 16 partners from 10 European countries and is led by principal investigator Gilles Laferté (INRAE). The Danish part is led by WP-leader Troels Schultz Larsen.
The RURALITIC project starts from the observation that European rural areas are being transformed by demographic change, digitalisation, environmental transitions and new mobility patterns. As a result, rural regions are increasingly diverse and cannot be understood through traditional rural-urban distinctions alone. On this backdrop the project combines rural studies, sociology, anthropology, planning, public policy and economy to develop new concepts, data, indicators, and typologies that better capture the diversity of contemporary rural areas and the relationships between people, places, and resources. It will examine the factors that drive rural attractiveness, assess the effectiveness of existing policies and local initiatives, and generate evidence to support more inclusive, place-sensitive, and future-oriented rural development policies across Europe.
The postdoc will be part of a small research team and will work closely with the Danish wp-leader and with a student assistant. The postdoc will be affiliated with Roskilde University’s interdisciplinary research group Social Dynamics and Change (SODYC), which conducts research on dynamics, changes and reproduction of social (in)justice, social institutions and inequality. The postdoc will have the opportunity to advance their academic skills and career as part of this interdisciplinary research project and will be part of the larger RURALITIC project and its international network of collaborators in Denmark, France, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Scotland, Netherlands, Austria and Argentina.
The postdoc will analyse the ongoing rural socio-demographic transitions and public policies, in the Danish case, by combining survey and census/administrative data (register data) using a social space approach and multiple correspondence analysis. The position further requires the ability to engage with comparative analysis on similar data from France, Portugal and Sweden together with other partners from the wider RURALITIC team.
The ideal candidate has experience combining and analysing survey and census/administrative data (register data). Experience in spatial analysis, geographical mapping, GIS, or similar approaches is an advantage but not a requirement. In addition, the ideal candidate is genuinely interested in interdisciplinary and multimethod research that combines survey and registrational data with ethnographic material such as interviews, field notes, and observations, and has an interest in Bourdieu-inspired field theory. The ideal candidate also needs to show relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.
In sum for the Danish part of the RURALITIC project we are looking for a quantitatively strong rural studies scholar, sociologist or similar who can work with large-scale survey and register data, preferably using Bourdieusian approaches such as social space analysis and multiple correspondence analysis, and who is interested in explaining contemporary rural transformations in Denmark and comparatively across Europe.
Responsibilities and tasks
A postdoc at ISE is expected to;
conduct and publish research at the highest international level
participate in research groups, seminars and other relevant activities
contribute to both the academic and social life of the research group and the department
show good academic citizenship
The ideal candidate for this position is expected to;
work with survey and census/administrative data (register data)
map and analyse rural transitions in Denmark based on survey and census/administrative data (register data)
in collaboration with the PI and the team to inform the design of the social space approach, and incorporate survey and census/administrative data (register data) into the analysis of rural transition
collaborate with the PI and team to further develop the multimethod method research design rooted in a social space approach and field theory
inform and support the comparative analysis of rural transitions across the European context in collaboration with members of the RURALITIC project
present findings at international conferences in rural studies, rural sociology, European sociology
organize and participate in activities related to the RURALITIC project, including group meetings, workshops with academics and stakeholders (e.g. local farmers, -employers, policymakers, rural inhabitants etc.)
The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and will 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.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within the fields of sociology, geography, planning, rural studies, urban studies, public policy, or similar social science background. Qualifications within the following areas are required:
Skills in combining and analysing survey- and census/administrative (register) data including proficiency in using software packages such as R or similar
Interest in multiple correspondence analysis, geometric data analysis or similar.
Knowledge about multimethod approaches combining qualitative and quantitative methods and survey and ethnographic data
Knowledge of rural socio-demographic change, welfare systems, labour markets or spatial restructuring in a Nordic context, or demonstrated ability to engage with these topics comparatively.
Strong academic writing skills in English
The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of the research team and the partners of the RURALITIC project
It is advantageous if the candidate has experience with research in rural studies/rural sociology, broader social transitions related to spatial restructuring, public policy, local governance, or comparative analysis, and an interest in broad sociological theory, rural sociology and/or field theory inspired by Bourdieu. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with interdisciplinary profiles, including those working at the intersection of sociology, geography, planning, anthropology and public policy. Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of Danish (or a Scandinavian language) is a strong advantage.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;
Relevant research experience that enables the candidate to work independently on the topic
Ability to demonstrate research skills that are valuable to the topic and project deliverables
Scientific production and research prospective
Ability to promote and utilize research results
Ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation
Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Troels Schultz Larsen at tschultz@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
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 September 25, 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: 25-09-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/07df0337-2ceb-49e0-aecd-7d91e020441d
