Postdoc position in the social and intellectual organization of science reform communities at the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA), Aarhus University

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA) at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the social and intellectual organization of science reform communities. The expected starting date is October 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The expected duration for the position is 2 years.

The project

The postdoctoral position is part of the Volkswagen Foundation-funded research project “Reforming Science: Investigating the Reflexivity and Reflectivity of (Non)Academic Actors Advocating for Scientific Reforms”, carried out in collaboration between the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy at Aarhus University and the Robert K. Merton Center for Science Studies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

The project examines contemporary science reform movements and communities associated with, for example, Open Science, metascience, reproducibility, research integrity, research assessment and related reform agendas. These communities have become increasingly influential in research policy, funding, publishing, evaluation and academic governance, yet their social and intellectual structures, forms of organisation, argumentative strategies and historical distinctiveness remain insufficiently understood.

The postdoc will be based at CFA and will work primarily on the work packages led by Professor Jesper W. Schneider. The position will involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative research tasks, including bibliometric analysis, social network analysis, survey design and analysis, citation-context analysis, and historically informed comparative analysis of science reforms.

More specifically, the postdoc is expected to contribute substantially to:

• Mapping the social and intellectual structures of science reform communities
• Designing and analysing a survey of actors involved in science reform communities
• Conducting citation-context analyses to examine how key science reform publications are cited and used across research fields
• Contributing to a historical comparison of current science reforms with earlier episodes of reform in science
• Integrating findings across the project’s work packages, in close collaboration with the Berlin-based project team

As part of a small international and interdisciplinary project team, the postdoc will be involved in research design, data collection, data management, analysis, writing and dissemination. The selected candidate will be expected to contribute substantially to academic publications, both as first author and as co-author, and to participate in project workshops, conferences and other dissemination activities.

Qualifications

We seek applicants with expertise within the areas of sociology of science, science studies, scientometrics, information science or related fields. A PhD in social science or related areas is required. We expect the candidates to have excellent communication skills in spoken and written English, and an ability to produce state-of-the art social-science research. Experience with both quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as mixed-methods designs are an advantage.

What we offer

• A project that studies a highly relevant and societally important issue
• A work environment at one of Europe’s leading political science departments with a vibrant, supportive, and collegial atmosphere
• Excellent development opportunities and research support, including funding for data collection, conferences/travel, and research assistance
• Competitive salary

Who we are

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA) is part of the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University. CFA is dedicated to understanding science and its relation to innovation, society and key societal challenges, and how policy can promote research and its positive impact. Through research, education and research-based advice to public and private actors, CFA contributes to theoretical and empirical developments related to research, innovation and higher-education policy.

For examples of current research and research-based advisory activities, please click here.

Further information

For further information about the project and the positions, please contact Professor Jesper Wiborg Schneider at [email protected].

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, don’t hesitate to contact HR coordinator Mette Fisker Præstegaard, [email protected]

Place of work

Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA), Department of Political Science, Bartholins Allé 7, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Application deadline

Applications must be submitted before the deadline of 10 August 2026. Candidates selected for interviews are expected to be contacted by mid-September.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information here:
https://internationalstaff.au.dk/relocationservice/

Please find more information about research opportunities at Aarhus University here: http://international.au.dk/research/

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: 
http://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

Terms of employment

The appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish).
The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of  Academic Staff at Universities.

Salary and employment conditions follow the collective agreement for academic staff employed by the Danish state. You will be employed as a postdoctoral researcher at basic salary levels 4–8, and a position‑specific allowance will also be granted.  

Application procedure

When you apply for this position it is mandatory to attach the following:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae. You are encouraged to declare any periods of leave without research activity, including, for example, maternity leave, since your research activities are assessed in relation to your actual research time
• Education (diploma for master's, PhD and possibly higher doctoral degree)
• List of publications (the enclosed publications must be clearly marked on the list of publications)
• Publications. Up to three publications can be included in the application. In the event of several authors the publications must be accompanied by a co-author statement concerning the applicant's share of the collaborative work with the consent of the co-authors. This template may be used for the purpose
• Teaching portfolio. The specific requirements regarding the documentation can be found here

 
Materials which cannot be uploaded together with the application may be submitted in three copies to Aarhus BSS HR & PhD, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 16, DK-8000 Aarhus C.
 
Read more about how to apply for an academic post at Aarhus BSS here
 

The evaluation process

After the application deadline, an assessment committee is appointed. Please note that the assessment of applicants is based solely on the material received prior to the application deadline. For further information, see Guidelines for Assessment Committee, Aarhus BSS.

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.

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 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8,700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more atwww.international.au.dk/