Postdoc in Value Studies

About the Postdoc in Value Studies at Roskilde University

The Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE) at Roskilde University is seeking applications for a postdoctoral researcher position. This role is integral to the Tryg Foundation project, “Insecurity Transforming Society [InSoc]: The Danish Values Study 2026,” led by Professor (MSO) Anders Ejrnæs. The position is for a limited period of 3 years, commencing September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The ISE department is renowned for its excellent, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research, drawing on fields such as anthropology, business studies, development studies, economics, legal studies, political science, and sociology. Roskilde University offers an innovative and interdisciplinary environment that values academic and methodological diversity. The faculty emphasizes research methodologies to gain insights into businesses and society amid global change. We produce research at the highest international level, feeding into our educational programs and influencing social, economic, and political change. The successful candidate will join the Social Dynamics and Change (SODYC) research group within the Social Section.

The Project and Your Role

As a Postdoc in Value Studies, you will be a key part of the “Insecurity Transforming Society [InSoc]” project. This initiative, funded by the Tryg Foundation, involves collecting representative national survey data for the 2026 wave of the Danish Values Study, which is a component of the broader European Values Study (EVS) project. You will work closely with the principal investigator and participate in the Scientific Committee of the EVS. The core aim of InSoc is to deepen our understanding of how increasing insecurity impacts Danish values and civic engagement, and how these developments compare to European trends.

Key research questions driving this project include:

• How have varying levels of economic, social, and existential insecurity influenced values and civic engagement in Denmark from 1981 to 2026, particularly concerning civil society, social networks, trust, and democracy?
• Which specific types of social, existential, and economic life-course events heighten insecurity and affect individual-level values, and what resources foster resilience?
• How do Danish values and engagement patterns compare to those observed across Europe in relation to civil society, social networks, trust, and democracy, and what roles do institutions, demographics, and socio-economic structures play?

The ideal candidate possesses solid experience in quantitative research and is proficient in cross-country comparative data analysis using software like STATA or R. A strong interest in European values and demonstrated research skills and methodological competencies are crucial for making an independent contribution to the project.

Responsibilities and Tasks

A Postdoc in Value Studies at ISE is expected to:

• Conduct and publish research at the highest international level.
• Participate actively in research groups, seminars, and other relevant activities.
• Contribute to both the academic and social life of the research group and department.
• Demonstrate good academic citizenship.
• Teach and supervise on relevant programs within the department.

Specifically, the ideal candidate will:

• Collaborate with the PI and EVS Scientific Committee researchers on designing, preparing, and cleaning European Values Studies data.
• Be responsible for cleaning, processing, and documenting data for the EVS 2026 integrated data file.
• Present research findings at international conferences in sociology and political science.
• Organize and participate in EVS-related activities, including group meetings and academic workshops.
• Analyze EVS data for publication in high-quality journals.

The successful candidate will possess strong communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, and be willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within a relevant field, such as social science. Required qualifications include:

• Strong academic writing skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis.
• Experience with – and willingness to work with – comparative survey data.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS).

Prior experience with comparative survey data is advantageous. Proficiency in both English and Danish is required.

Assessment and Terms of Employment

Candidates will be assessed based on relevant research experience, demonstration of valuable research skills, scientific production and prospective, ability to promote and utilize research results, and capacity to contribute to departmental cooperation. The employment is full-time (37 hours per week), reporting to the Head of Department of Social Sciences and Business. The position adheres 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.

Application Procedure

Applicants should apply via www.ruc.dk/en/job/. Only applications in English are accepted and must be submitted by March 18, 2026. Required documents include a cover letter, CV, education documentation, a reflection on teaching approach or full teaching portfolio (if applicable), a complete list of publications, and a maximum of 5 relevant scientific works. Co-author statements are required for joint publications. Roskilde University values diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Key skills/competency

• Quantitative research
• Statistical analysis
• Comparative survey data
• STATA
• R programming
• Academic writing
• European Values Study
• Social science methodology
• Data cleaning and processing
• Research publication