Postdoc positions ‘Hybrid War and Democracy’ at The Danish Institute for Advanced Study DIAS

Dansk Sprogskole; Cortex Park; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, invites applications for one or more full-time Postdoc positions. The appointments are for up to two years, with start on 1 April 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Applicants should have a background in computational social sciences and strong skills in quantitative and computational methods, with experience in surveys or experiments.

Qualifications

• PhD required or equivalent with demonstrated research in computational social science or related fields.
• Strong background in computational methods and data analysis.
• Experience with R or Python and survey/experimental research is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Engage in conception, execution, analysis, publication, and dissemination of research.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams at DIAS and the Centre for Digital Democracy.
• Present research at international conferences and contribute to teaching as appropriate.
• Work and be present in Odense and contribute to grant activities.

Skills

R

Python

Data analysis

Computational methods

Survey design

English communication

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, invites applications for one or more full-time Postdoc positions.

The 'Hybrid War and Democracy' initiative explores changes in how international conflicts are waged. Domestic and foreign influence campaigns are bolstered by new digital technologies and artificial intelligence. This creates new challenges for democracies, threat perceptions, information integrity, and for citizens' information agency.

The postdoc positions will be part of a broader initiative understanding these new dynamics.

Employment is expected to begin on April 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter, and will be for a period of up to two years. The place of employment will be Odense.

Research profiles and tasks

We are looking for a candidate with a background in computational social sciences, data science, including (but not limited to) computer science, communication, political science, linguistics, information studies, digital humanities, sociology or psychology.

An ideal candidate would have a strong interest in the topic and bring methodological skills to conduct cutting edge work in this space. The Postdoc(s) will be embedded in an interdisciplinary project team and collaborate closely with other scholars at DIAS and the Centre for Digital Democracy.

Candidates must have a research profile grounded in the use of computational methods to answer social science questions. Research within this project will primarily involve using quantitative and computational techniques as well as surveys and/ or experiments.

Expectations and key responsibilities

The Postdoc(s) will be involved in all aspects of the research, from conception, execution, analysis, publishing, and public dissemination. A strong background in computational techniques is necessary, and experience the topic would be ideal.

Candidates are expected to be willing and able to contribute to DIAS and DDC by producing original research of high international quality, engaging in information exchange with both academic and non-academic actors (e.g., journalists, the public, and policy makers), contributing to grant acquisition efforts, and translating technical details across different disciplines.

Candidates are expected to:

• Be capable of working independently and on a team through the research process, including with regards to data collection, data analysis, writing scientific articles, and knowledge dissemination.

• Be able to translate methodological specifics to non-computational researchers

• Contribute both academically and socially to the research environment at DIAS and the DDC

• Code proficiently in R or Python.

• Be able to communicate project results in English both in writing in academic contexts and to the broader public (Danish would be an advantage but not required)

• Present research results at international conferences in social science or computational disciplines

• Possibly contribute to teaching programs (in consultation with relevant departments)

• Work and be present in Odense

Inquiries about the project and the positions can be addressed to Prof. Claes de Vreese ([e-mail]).

About The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS)

DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and bold innovation. DIAS nurtures a collaborative and curiosity-driven environment, encouraging scholars to think outside the box and challenge conventional boundaries. The institute values open-minded exploration and an ambitious yet collegial atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Researchers affiliated with DIAS are expected to contribute actively to DIAS activities, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and departments, both nationally and internationally.

About the DDC

The DDC is a part of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. It is an interdisciplinary Centre with members from computer science, law, media studies, political science, business, and organizations. The DDC believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both faculty members and students. The DDC’s ambition is to recruit, develop, and retain talented scholars committed to both research, education, and impact. Furthermore, the DDC wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family. Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.

Application and assessment process

Appointment to the position requires a PhD degree or equivalent and will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the Danish state with the associated circular on the protocol on job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for the position of postdocs as described herein.

An application must include:

• A cover letter stating your specific interest and qualifications for the project in question (max two pages). It is strongly encouraged that you include a github link or proof of coding proficiency.

• Detailed CV, including personal contact information anddate entries

• Copies of certificates and diplomas (BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees)

• The names and complete contact details (including phone numbers and email addresses) of at least two references

• A complete list of publications indicating which publications are most relevant for the position

• The 3 most relevant publications or unpublished chapters of the PhD thesis.
  NOTE: If publications have been co-authored, co-author statements must be included and contain information like in this example. The statement is just for your inspiration

• A teaching portfolio as documentation for teaching experience (if applicable).

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

Applications that are incomplete may be rejected without any substantive evaluation.

Assessment of applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for universities. Applications will be assessed by an academic assessment committee that determines whether applicants are qualified to be a postdoctoral fellow. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material. The committee reserves the right to arrive at a decision solely based on the material submitted.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. As part of the assessment, a short coding test may be held.

When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of Department who will assemble an appointment committee. The appointment committee will manage and complete a series of job interviews with especially promising applicants. On the basis of the applications, the written assessments, the job interviews, and a deliberation within the appointment committee, the head of department determines which candidate(s) will be offered the position.

Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked). The application and CV must each not exceed 10 MB in file size.

Application deadline: November 23, 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST.

Applicants may also wish to consider the related DIAS Fellow position in Hybrid War and Democratic Challenges. Candidates interested in both positions must submit a separate application for each position, as appointment to a position is only possible if an application has been submitted for that specific vacancy.

Salary and employment terms

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.

As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.

SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Reference number: 4284