PhD Fellowship in Social Science Research in Pandemics and Global Governance

The PandemiX Center of Excellence and the Department of Social Science and Business at Roskilde University, Denmark, invites applications for an interdisciplinary PhD fellowship in Pandemiology and Global Governance from 1st of September 2025. The position is open to candidates with a strong background in the social sciences, especially international politics or African international relations, and with an interest to apply these skills to key topics in “pandemiology”. The position as PhD is limited to a period of 3 years.

The position will be supervised by Associate Professor Line Engbo Gissel at Roskilde University’s Department of Social Science and Business and co-supervised by Professor Lone Simonsen, Professor and Center Leader of PandemiX, also at Roskilde University.

This unique interdisciplinary research opportunity offers an exciting opportunity for the social scientific study of contemporary pandemics and pandemic responses. With this PhD position we hope to augment the Center’s research with expertise in global and regional governance, so we can together undertake research that focuses on the national, regional and global political responses and management of pandemics. The focus could be on e.g. “vaccine nationalism” and global governance during COVID-19; the bureaucratic and international politics of the WHO during a recent pandemic; the African international politics and governance of COVID-19; and South-South “vaccine diplomacy”. The research project will be expected to apply selected theory to the analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data to develop an understanding of the object of study. The research will to some extent be relevant also in the context of the current evaluation of Denmark’s national COVID-19 response as requested by the Danish Parliament.

Description of the PhD project
The successful candidate will be working social scientifically at the Department of Social Science and Business as well as 2 days a week at the PandemiX Center, engaging with the interdisciplinary research team there. This work should be solidly anchored in social science methodology with a data science aspect. The project is ideally relevant for both the Department of Social Science and Business and the PandemiX Center of Excellence. There will be opportunities for international research exchanges with relevant colleagues abroad. We encourage applicants to contact Line Engbo Gissel at the Department of Social Science and Business to align research interests with expectations, skills and ongoing research.

About the PandemiX Center
The PandemiX Center of Excellence, funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF), aims to investigate signature features of pathogens with pandemic potential, including historical outbreaks. The approach is broadly interdisciplinary, ranging from medical historical research to physics models. A goal is to work closely with Statens Serum Institut towards preparedness for future pandemics. The center is headed by Professor of Population Health Sciences Lone Simonsen and brings together a diverse group of interdisciplinary researchers from Roskilde University (RUC), the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and North Zealand Hospital (NOH).

About the Department of Social Science and Business
At the Department of Social Sciences and Business our research focuses on societal changes, business economics and the impact of such developments on different societies around the world. We aim at generating novel scientific insights into the on-going societal changes, confrontations and conflicts. As our teaching is closely related to our research activities it attaches high importance to methodological skills and is characterized by its multidisciplinary nature. Read more about the Department of Social Sciences and Business.

The Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD fellow at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business which has approximately 40 PhD fellows from all over the world. The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business provides PhD training and research within an interdisciplinary, international and professional environment. It is part of a dynamic community of researchers who share a commitment to understanding society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. Researchers come from all over the world and engage in topics that are geographically, theoretically and methodologically diverse. The Doctoral School has one PhD program. The program offers work in progress seminars, thematic professional development seminars, PhD courses, feedback, and social activities for the enrolled PhD fellows. As a PhD fellow you will also be part of a relevant research group of your own choice.

For more information about the Doctoral School contact Head of PhD School at ISE, Professor Lars Buur ([email protected]).

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions

• Conduct research on a topic within the social science domain which is also relevant to the study of contemporary pandemics
• Participate in an active interdisciplinary research environment, including collaboration with international partners and active participation in international conferences
• Participate in PandemiX research activities and summer schools, including presenting key findings and exchanging ideas with Center colleagues who represent other fields
• Complete relevant PhD courses, equivalent to approximately 30 ECTS
• Engage in teaching at the Department of Social Science and Business and discuss and disseminate knowledge at conferences and meetings
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on the research project

Qualifications
You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within social sciences. Qualifications within the following areas are required

• A strong background in a relevant social science field (Master's degree)
• Interest in pursuing research that match part of the existing research environment at the Department of Social Science and Business
• Interest in understanding pandemics in contemporary society
• Excellent communication skills in both written and oral English
• Excellent language skills of relevance to the proposed PhD research

We also emphasize the following:

• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration
• Ability to carry out independent research
• Publication list (if applicable)
• Reference letters (if available)
• Original diplomas for a Master’s degree in the social sciences, and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish

You are required to be enterprising and to possess good communication skills and to be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to;

• Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education).
• Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications
• Grades at Master’s programme or equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
  • Considerations regarding social science methodology with a data science aspect shall be included in your project description
  • Your project description shall be no more than 5 pages of 12,000 characters, incl. spaces
• Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices
• Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory
• If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible
• Ability to complete the PhD project
• Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Lone Simonsen ([email protected]), Associate Professor at ISE Line Engbo Gissel ([email protected]) or PhD Coordinator Ida Bruhn Bull ([email protected]).

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week, and you will refer to Morten Frederiksen, Dean of Social Sciences and Business.

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.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment 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 including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than March 31, 2025.

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.