Postdoctoral Researcher in Public Administration (Citizen-State Interactions)

RFCSR; Odense; On-site; DKK 360,000 - 430,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a full-time, three-year Postdoctoral Researcher position in Public Administration, focusing on citizen–state interactions. The successful candidate will join the PAWP section and engage in research, teaching, supervision, and knowledge exchange within an international team.

The role requires a PhD in Political Science, Public Administration, or related field, and aims to advance administrative literacy across contexts.

Qualifications

• Strong research capabilities in political science or public administration.
• Experience or interest in citizen–state interactions research.
• Experience with psychometrics and scale development is valued.
• Ability to conduct and publish high-quality international research.
• Capability to teach and supervise in political science programs.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the CALi project and publish research at a high international level.
• Engage in teaching and supervision across PAWP study programs.
• Participate in knowledge exchange activities with society and stakeholders.
• Collaborate within an international research team and department.

Skills

Public Administration research

Citizen–state interactions

Psychometrics

Teaching & supervision

International collaboration

Education

PhD in Political Science or Public Administration

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Public Administration (Citizen-State Interactions)

General Description – The Department of Political Science and Public Management at the University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a full-time, three‑year Postdoctoral Researcher position in Public Administration, with a particular focus on citizen–state interactions. The position is based within the Section for Public Administration, Welfare, and Politics (PAWP) and is connected to the research project “Navigating the System – Citizens’ Administrative Literacy (CALi)” led by Associate Professor Matthias Döring and funded by the Danish Research Foundation (DFF).

The project investigates the competencies citizens require to effectively interact with public authorities and aims to examine administrative literacy across different countries, languages, and public service areas. The research will focus on developing and validating quantitative measurement approaches to assess administrative literacy.

The successful candidate will join an international research team and contribute to multiple aspects of the project and the department’s academic environment. Key responsibilities include contributing to the CALi research project, conducting and publishing research at a high international level in areas relevant to Political Science and Public Administration, participating in teaching and supervision across the department’s study programs including the full‑time political science program, engaging in knowledge exchange activities with the wider society, and actively contributing to a collaborative and supportive working environment within the department and research section.

The planned starting date for the position is 1 July 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is full‑time and fixed‑term for three years.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD in Political Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Candidates should demonstrate the potential to establish themselves as leading scholars in their research area and possess a strong academic background relevant to citizen–state interactions or related topics within public administration and political science.

Required expertise/skills

• Strong research capabilities within the fields of political science or public administration.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in research on citizen–state interactions.
• Experience and expertise in psychometrics and scale development is highly valued.
• Ability to conduct and publish high‑quality international research.
• Capability to contribute to teaching and supervision in political science programs.
• Strong collaboration skills and willingness to contribute to academic and societal knowledge exchange activities.

Salary details

Salary and terms of employment will follow the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in government service. The salary level will be determined based on qualifications and experience and includes pension contributions.