Two postdoctoral positions in cultural policy research at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen

The Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for two postdoctoral positions in cultural policy research beginning 1 September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Postdoc #1 is a fixed term position for two years.

Postdoc #2 is a fixed term position for 20 months.

Introduction
The successful candidates will both become part of the project entitled Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums, financed by VELUX FONDEN's core group program (Project number VEL67752).

Libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) in Denmark, as well as in the rest of the Western world, are in the midst of a major transformation from being understood as neutral cultural institutions to undertaking a more distinct and active position on certain societal issues. Several LAM-institutions are concerned with contributing to a more inclusive society and drawing attention to past injustices. Simultaneously, LAMs are increasingly involved in solving new types of tasks in society, e.g. fighting climate change or engaging in issues of health and well-being. The research project “Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums” examines the ongoing transformation from different perspectives in order to create a conceptual framework that enables society to engage in more productive discussions and evaluations of the practices of cultural institutions.

The two postdocs will be part of an interdisciplinary environment focused on advancing theoretical, methodological and empirical research on contemporary cultural institutions. The two postdocs will collaborate closely with the rest of the core group, which includes researchers with expertise in archives, libraries and museums, ethnology, cultural policy and cultural heritage. The rest of the core group consists of Associate professor Nanna Kann-Rasmussen (PI, Dept. of Communication), Associate professor Anne Folke Henningsen (Saxo Institute), Professor Hans Dam Christensen (Dept. of Communication) and one Ph.D. student (beginning 1 March 2025).

Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidates will be expected to publish international scientific articles within the context of the project, and to participate in the organization of activities and research events.

Postdoc #1 (2 years):

Within the framework of the overall research project “post-neutrality in libraries, archives and museums”, the successful candidate will contribute to a work package (WP2), whose aim is to analyze how post-neutrality affects the perceived societal relevance of public libraries and museums in the public sphere. This will be carried out through content analysis of public discourse and media coverage related to libraries and museums as well as interviews with opinion makers in the cultural field.

As a postdoc, the successful candidate will:

• Conduct media analysis to map public views on libraries and museums’ post-neutral activities.
• Analyze how libraries and museums are (de-)legitimized by way of their activities
• Examine how public views affect libraries and museums’ practices and strategies.

The work package is led by Hans Dam Christensen, with whom the postdoc will collaborate closely.

Postdoc #2 (20 months):

Within the framework of the overall research project post-neutrality in libraries, archives and museums, the successful candidate will contribute to a work package (WP3), whose aim is to analyze how public and private funding sources respond to post-neutrality in LAMs, and how this might impact financial support for their initiatives. This will be carried out primarily through qualitative research methods e.g. interviews with policy makers and private foundations.

As a postdoc, the successful candidate will:

• Conduct qualitative field work to explore policy processes in the cultural field
• Analyze legitimization work and funding for LAMs
• Examine how funding sources react to post-neutral practices and strategies

The work package is led by Nanna Kann-Rasmussen, with whom the postdoc will collaborate closely with.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria
Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

Language skills for both positions:
Applicants must possess skills in written and spoken academic English at a high level. The material collected will primarily be in Danish. For this reason, the successful candidate must hold skills in Danish or another Scandinavian language. If deemed necessary, the Department may request that applicants document their language skills.

Postdoc #1:
We are looking for a candidate with skills and experience in qualitative methods and with a good understanding of public media analysis, including social media. Furthermore, the candidate should have theoretical knowledge about legitimacy and (cultural) policy processes. A good understanding of current (post-neutral) practices in the field of LAMs will also be required. 

Postdoc #2:
We are looking for a candidate with skills and experience in qualitative methods and with a good understanding of the funding landscapes in the cultural field in Denmark. Furthermore, the candidate should have theoretical knowledge about legitimacy and (cultural) policy processes. A good understanding of current (post-neutral) practices in the field of LAMs will also be required.

More information on careers at UCPH and the requirements for different academic positions is available at:
Career at The University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

For more about postdoc positions and qualification requirements, see the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities:
Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (ufm.dk)

Applicants will primarily be assessed in relation to their research qualifications, including their publications, ability to conduct independent research and participate in research collaborations, and their experience with research management. In addition, the applicant’s research plan and research potential will be assessed in relation to the “Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums” project described above.

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 be written in English and must include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation
• CV
• Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)
• 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.
• Research plan
• Documentation of other work on the dissemination of research.

Only documentation in Scandinavian languages or English will be assessed.

Applicants are invited to familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Humanities’ strategic landmarks here: Strategic landmarks – University of Copenhagen (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 for postdocs / Assistant Professors starts at DKK 38,575 (EUR approx. 5,170) + a 17.1 % 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 an appointment committee and select applicants for further assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. The Head of Department then sets up an expert assessment committee to consider the applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee and will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment of their application before an appointment is announced.

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here:  Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen (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, please see HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during relocation and career counseling for 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 (ku.dk)

Contact information
Further information about the recruitment process is available from HR: [email protected] - please refer to ID number: 211-2074/24-2I #1.

Additional information about the positions, including an outline of the overall project Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums and the relevant work packages, can be obtained from the PI Nanna Kann-Rasmussen [email protected].

The deadline for applications is 23:59 CET on 20 April 2025.

Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.