Postdoc in medical anthropology/STS

The Department of Clinical Medicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of medical anthropology/ STS as per 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 30 months.

As a Postdoc at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As a Postdoc, you will be working as part of the BRIGHT group at the Interacting Minds Centre. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research project

As a Postdoc, you will contribute to an innovative interdisciplinary research project titled "The Power of the Model – Designing Ethically Acceptable Futures of Human-Based Models in Translational Science." This project investigates the ethical and societal impacts of transitioning from animal to human-based biomedical research models, focusing on chronic kidney disease.

Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted in international research laboratories, we aim to incorporate ethical considerations into the development of non-animal models by examining the dilemmas and uncertainties inherent in these experimental practices.
Ethnographic research will be conducted in three international laboratories, focusing on how humans are repositioned within laboratory practices, the uncertainties encountered in this work, and the ethical and societal implications of human-derived models. Understanding and acceptance by society are crucial for the successful implementation of human tissue-based models in future treatment paradigms. Accordingly, we will conduct interviews with tissue donors and patients suffering from fibrotic diseases to gain insights into their perspectives and thoughts on treatment futures that rely on human models. Furthermore, the project collaborates with the Science Museums Aarhus University to create educational workshops for secondary and high school students, who represent the potential donors of the future.

As part of the research group, working with PI, Professor Mette Terp Høybye, you will be expected to conduct ethnographic fieldwork in laboratory settings and conduct relevant interviews with researchers, patients and tissue donors.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc at the Interacting Minds Centre your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Ethnographic fieldwork in international research laboratories and groups in Denmark and abroad.
• Collaborative data analysis with PI and research group.
• Contribution to research methodology and theory development in laboratory studies on human material.
• Co-development of educational workshop for secondary- and high-school students with the Science Museums, Aarhus University.
• Contribution to the interdisciplinary research environment of the BRIGHT research group and the Interacting Minds Centre through active participation in academic events and dissemination activities.
• Contribution to the continued development of social sciences and humanities as an area of research at Health, AU, through own research contributions and networking in collaboration with researchers nationally and internationally.

You will report to Professor Mette Terp Høybye.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD-level in fields such as anthropology, science and technology studies, sociology, or related disciplines. You have conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork, preferably even within laboratory or science settings. Although not mandatory, having prior experience with visual or other creative methods will be advantageous for this role.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. You are excited about working in interdisciplinary research environments. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. While not required, proficiency in Danish and/or Dutch will be an advantage.

When submitting your application, please include 2-3 paragraphs in your motivational application/cover letter discussing the ideas and approaches you will contribute to this project, drawing from your experience, which you believe will be beneficial to apply and enhance throughout this project.

To be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Mette Terp Høybye tel.: (+45) 61106066.

Your place of work will be the Department of Clinical Medicine, Interacting Minds Centre, Jens Chr.Skousvej 4, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in week 25 with selected candidates (pending the scientific evaluation of candidates). In preparation for the interview, you will be asked to prepare a presentation of your ideas. Specific details will follow, along with a potential invitation for interviews.

A potential second interview could be held with selected candidates.


Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.


International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/