Postdoctoral position in Theology of Pediatrics, Centre for Science and Faith, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen

The Centre for Science and Faith, Faculty of Theology, invites applications for a postdoctoral position from 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is a fixed term position for 24 months.

Introduction
This research centre extends across the Faculties of Health and Medical Sciences, Natural Science and Theology at University of Copenhagen (https://teol.ku.dk/Forskning/afd/center-for-videnskab-og-tro/). The Centre investigates interactions between scientific knowledge and faith commitments, with focus on human health and ecology. The postdoc position is affiliated with the research project MEVIN, sponsored by the NOVO Nordic Foundation 2026-30, investigating novel milk supplements for preterm infants and the associated humanistic values in research practices.

The postdoctoral position aims to examine how meaning, personal passion and existential orientations are produced across the translational chain from chemical milk research, to animal models and infants in neonatal intensive care units. The project explores how parents and three groups of researchers (in vitro milk chemists, animal model researchers, clinical researchers) make decisions and navigate questions of personal engagement, passion and existential hope related to difficulties related to birth and pediatric care. We use concept analyses, mixed-method designs in quantitative surveys, and phenomenological in-depth interviews to assess uncertainties and existential dimensions of faith in milk, animal and infant research. Together with scientific data, such tacit knowledge (faith commitments) may be important for parents, researchers and clinicians, when striving to implement of new treatments for infants. 

Duties and Responsibilities
The researcher’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regards to publication and scientific communication. A candidate in theology, philosophy, sociology or anthropology, or a related field, with specific insights into health, food or animal/infant research is preferred. To a limited degree, the position may also include other duties, including administration and teaching.

The research environment
The Faculty of Theology is dedicated to fostering a workplace culture grounded in diversity, inclusion, and equity. We strive to offer a supportive environment for researchers at every stage of their careers, emphasizing both work–life balance and equitable access to career development opportunities.

Qualification Requirements and Assessment Criteria
Employment as a postdoctoral researcher requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

For this position, applicants must hold a PhD in Theology, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, or a related field, and demonstrate academic competence to investigate the intersection between scientific discoveries and existential commitments, passion and faith(s).

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in theology (e.g. ethics or science-engaged theology), anthropology (e.g. medical, existential, or multispecies), philosophy (e.g. phenomenology, existential philosophy), or a related interdisciplinary field
• Academic training in qualitative research methods, particularly ethnography, phenomenology, and in-depth interviewing.
• Experience with or strong interest in mixed-methods research (survey design, quantitative analysis), formal training is not required, but willingness to engage is essential
• Interest in or documented experience with medical scientific-clinical decision-making, uncertainty, neonatal care, or translational research
• The ability to work in interdisciplinary networks across medical anthropology, theology, philosophy, and the medical/biological sciences
• Excellency in Danish and English language (spoken and written). Proficiency in Danish is required in order to conduct the study in Denmark 

To be eligible, applicants must have obtained their PhD within the required timeframe defined by the university.

The application must include a project description (maximum 1.5 pages) outlining how the applicant will contribute to the project, with specific attention to the mixed-methods design, the theoretical framework, and the comparative analysis across the three groups of researchers. Applicants will be assessed based on their academic qualifications, research experience, publication record, and demonstrated ability to conduct independent and collaborative research. Emphasis will be placed on the relevance of the applicant’s background to the themes of meaning, faith, existential attachment, and cross-cultural perspectives in medical research contexts.

Teaching experience is not required but may be considered as part of the overall assessment if relevant.

Application
Applications must be submitted online in PDF or Word format. Click on the “Apply now” button at the bottom of this advertisement to apply.

Applications must include the following attachments:  

1. Letter of motivation
2. CV
3. Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma) 
4. Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

• Peer-reviewed publications:
  • Monographs and anthologies
  • Articles in journals
  • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.
• Non-peer-reviewed publications:
  • Publications disseminating research findings, etc.

Applicants can attach a maximum of 3 publications. The publication dates must be clearly marked on the list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1-3 

1. Research plan.
2. Documentation of teaching competencies/teaching portfolio (see the UCPH guidelines for teaching portfolios here) and other work on the dissemination of research.

Only documentation in Danish, German, and English will be assessed.  

Applicants are invited to familiarize themselves with the faculty’s strategic landmarks here: Strategic Landmarks (ku.dk)

Salary and terms of employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at DKK 39,000 (EUR 5,200) + a 18,07 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The recruitment process
Once the deadline for applications has expired, the Head of Department will consider advice from the appointment committee and select applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. Faculty Head will then set up an expert assessment committee to consider the applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. They will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment of their application before the appointment is announced.

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year.

International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR Søndre, hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-2599/26-2I.

Additional information about the position can be obtained from Professor Per Sangild, pts@sund.ku.dk, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen

The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.