PhD Scholarships: Geopolitical Struggles of the Emerging Global Tech Order

The University of Copenhagen hereby invites applications for one or more PhD scholarships at the Department of Political Science. The successful candidate will work on the project “TECHORDER: Geopolitical Struggles of the Emerging Global Tech Order,” funded by the European Research Council led by Professor Rebecca Adler-Nissen. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

TECHORDER explores the emerging "global tech order" – the ideas, power structures and rules that shape digital technology and the relationships between governments and major tech companies (big tech). The project focuses on the ideas of leaders and employees at big tech firms as well as government officials from countries such as the US, China, India, the UK, France, and Germany, an in organizations such as the EU, UN and OECD as well as more specialized organizations. TECHORDER investigates how these actors view two key technologies: artificial intelligence and quantum technology, their own organizations’ roles, and the global power dynamics involved in setting global and regional tech rules. Using a multi-method approach - including ethnographic research, participatory mapping, surveys, interviews, computer vision, and network analysis - the project aims to uncover the hidden cultures, geopolitical rivalries and governance efforts that are reshaping the idea of international order in the digital age.

Funding is available for conferences and summer school attendance, as well as research visits, for the purpose of developing the chosen candidate’s international network and research expertise.

The starting date for the position is September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible afterwards.

Responsibilities

The chosen candidate will be responsible for:

• Writing a PhD dissertation, which explores a subset of questions within the TECHORDER project.
• Engage in and participate actively in the development of TECHORDER and its academic activities, including organizing and participating in workshops, conference and other scholarly activities.
• Contribute to and benefit from the flourishing intellectual life of the International Relations group and the Department of Political Science.
• Co-authoring one publication with the PI.
• Teaching.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required of candidates:

• A background in International Relations (e.g., a master’s degree in Political Science or International Relations).
• A demonstrated aptitude for and strong interest in conducting research in IR theory and empirical analysis.
• A demonstrated aptitude for one or more of the methods: ethnography, surveys, interviews, network analysis, computer vision).
• Proven skills in academic writing.
• A willingness to take on independent responsibilities and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• An interest in tech and in connecting debates about technology with International Relations.
• A commitment to contribute to the academic community at the Political Theory Working Group and at the Department of Political Science.

The PhD Program

The PhD program provides PhD the students with strong research training, which creates opportunities for a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The program includes support and feedback in developing the PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD program can be undertaken as a three-year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study program. To be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study program, the applicant must have completed a two-year MSc or MA degree program or have earned 120 ECTS credits at an equivalent academic level before starting their employment. Applicants should check the study programs for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements.

PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3-year period without additional pay. The work obligation can, for instance, include teaching. 

Under "Legal basis" on the website you will find information about the rules and guidelines for the PhD program and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD program at the Universities. Information about the PhD study program is also available on the PhD website of the Department of Political Science: The PhD programme – Department of Political Science - University of Copenhagen.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society, and invites all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the positions. 

Application Date and Process

Submit a complete application on our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.

• Cover Letter, detailing your background and motivation for the specific PhD project (max 300 words).
• A brief description of the PhD project proposal (max 900 words, excluding references, figures etc.).
• CV, including list of publications (if any).
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc/BA and MSc/MA).
• A writing sample (e.g., a seminar paper).

Start date: September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place: Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen

The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The Department of Political Science
The Department is a top-ranked European Political Science department, which offers a vibrant, collegial, and pluralist academic working environment for ambitious scholars. The pluralism of Political Science in Copenhagen is evidenced in the various epistemological and methodological approaches as well as subfields adopted by faculty, and in a wide range of core subjects in the MSc program. 

The Department consists of some 75 faculty members, which currently includes more than 10 tenure-track assistant professors, as well as some 25 Ph.D. students, organized in four main research groups and a few centers. For more on the Department, please consult our webpage:  https://politicalscience.ku.dk/  

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: https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/.   

The Department of Political Science has a Code of Conduct expressing our continuous commitment to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, professional and respectful culture at the Department for Political Science, please see https://politicalscience.ku.dk/code-of-conduct.pdf

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: https://ism.ku.dk/  

Appointment procedure 

After the application deadline, the Head of Department selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Dean subsequently appoints an expert assessment committee tasked with carrying out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Applicants are ultimately offered the opportunity of commenting on the part of the assessment relating to themselves before the appointment is finalized. 

The closing date for applications is 23:59 [CEST] 18 May 2026

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

For further information about the position, please contact Rebecca Adler-Nissen ran@ifs.ku.dk.