Two-year position as Postdoctoral researcher in Sociology of Food and Eating

Department of Food and Resource Economics invites applicants for a full-time position as postdoc in the Sociology of Food and Eating.

The postdoc will work on the research project “Eating up the crisis: Cultural change seen through the lens of food (CrisisCultureFood)”, which is financed by the Carlsberg Foundation.

The position is available from 1st September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

CrisisCultureFood explores developments and changes in the Danish food culture in the light of the ongoing climate crisis and the global inflation crisis. The research project will, with a prospective qualitative research design, create knowledge about the unfolding process of how societal crisis interact with food culture and food practices in Denmark. With qualitative in-depth interviews, it will explore potential transitions in practices and concerns and values expressed through consumption. Further, the project will establish a qualitative panel to be followed over time, including 60 adults (aged 18-60).

The project will be carried out by a research group led by Associate professor Kia Ditlevsen. The group will consist of the postdoctoral researcher, a PhD-student, and Kia Ditlevsen.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates with PhD degree in Sociology (or similar social science disciplines) with extensive experience and interest in qualitative methods and expertise in socio-cultural aspects of food and eating.

The postdoc will work independently with research task in the CrisisCultureFood project as well as collaborate closely with the research group.

Because the postdoc must conduct qualitative interviews with people living in Denmark, it is a requirement that the applicant can speak Danish (or other Scandinavian languages easily understood in Denmark).

The postdoc’s duties will include:

• Establish qualitative panel
• Develop a protocol and a qualitative code book for longitudinal comparison of results from the panel
• Conduct in-depth interviews (in cooperation with a PhD-student)
• Baseline report of first results from the panel
• Analysis of current food culture in Denmark
• Contribute to scientific peer-reviewed papers

The postdoc will be included in a strong research environment of sociologists researching food and eating. The group is located at the Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO), Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Further information on the Department: http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Associate Professor Kia Ditlevsen (kmdifro.ku.dk).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Cover letter, including your motivation for applying for the specific position
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held in week 20 (May 2024).