Two postdoctoral positions in cultural policy research at the Faculty of Hu

at  Kbenhavns Universitet

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.

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.