Two-and-a-half-year position as Postdoctoral researcher in Environmental Sociology, with emphasis on civil society activism

We are looking for a Postdoc to the project “Ecological critique and civic experiments in plant-based agricultural alternatives (CIVEX)”

IFRO invites applicants for a full-time position as postdoc in Environmental Sociology, with emphasis on civil society activism in the domain of agriculture.

The postdoc will work on the research project “Ecological critique and civic experiments in plant-based agricultural alternatives (CIVEX)”, which is financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF).

The position is available from 1st September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The CIVEX project
CIVEX aims to empirically document, analyse, and theorise the practices and impacts of civil society’s ecological critiques in the domain of animal-industrial agriculture in Denmark, as well as attendant civic experiments in new plant-based alternatives. The concept of ecological critique is anchored in pragmatic sociology, and CIVEX seeks to align this tradition further with social movement research, as a contribution to the field of environmental sociology. The research design combines several mainly qualitative methods, including document analysis, qualitative interviews, and online/in situ ethnography, supplemented by mixed/quantitative digital methods in the shape of social media-based network analysis.

The project will be carried out by a research group led by Professor Anders Blok. The group will consist of the postdoctoral researcher, a student assistant, and Anders Blok.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in Sociology or similar social science disciplines. The candidate should ideally have extensive experience in qualitative and/or mixed digital methods as well as experience with environmental sociology. Knowledge of social movement research, sociology of food and agriculture, and/or pragmatic sociology is an advantage.

The postdoc will work independently with research tasks in the CIVEX project as well as collaborate closely with the research group.

Because the postdoc must conduct qualitative research in Denmark, it is a requirement that the applicant either fully masters Danish (or other Scandinavian languages easily understood in Denmark) or can document the ability to reach a research-proficient level of Danish in the short term.

The postdoc’s duties will include:

• Mapping out civil society critiques of animal-industrial agriculture in Denmark  
• Conducting in-depth interviews and online/offline fieldwork with relevant environmental groups
• Analyzing social media networks among civic groups and agricultural policy stakeholders
• Interviewing agricultural policy stakeholders in Denmark
• Independently author and contribute to co-authored scientific peer-reviewed articles

Our group
The postdoc will be included in a strong research cluster of sociologists researching food culture and environmental engagement. The group is located at the Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO), Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Further information on the Department: https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

There is the option of being secondarily attached to the SODAS-Climate group at the Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, for sparring and skills upgrading on digital methods: https://sodas.ku.dk/projects/sodas-climate/.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Professor Anders Blok. abl@soc.ku.dk. The project description of CIVEX will be forwarded upon request.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
Employment period is 30 months (2 ½ years).

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Cover letter, including your motivation for applying for the specific position
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant articles

The deadline for applications is Monday 6th of May 2024 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.