Postdoctoral position in Theology of Pediatrics, Centre for Science and Faith, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen Part-time

Postdoctoral Position at the Centre for Science and Faith

The Centre for Science and Faith, Faculty of Theology, invites applications for a postdoctoral position from 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed term position for 24 months. This research centre extends across the Faculties of Health and Medical Sciences, Natural Science and Theology at University of Copenhagen. The Centre investigates interactions between scientific knowledge and faith commitments, with focus on human health and ecology. The postdoc position is affiliated with the research project MEVIN, sponsored by the NOVO Nordic Foundation 2026-30, investigating novel milk supplements for preterm infants and the associated humanistic values in research practices.

The postdoctoral position aims to examine how meaning, personal passion and existential orientations are produced across the translational chain from chemical milk research, to animal models and infants in neonatal intensive care units. The project explores how parents and three groups of researchers (in vitro milk chemists, animal model researchers, clinical researchers) make decisions and navigate questions of personal engagement, passion and existential hope related to difficulties related to birth and pediatric care. We use concept analyses, mixed-method designs in quantitative surveys, and phenomenological in-depth interviews to assess uncertainties and existential dimensions of faith in milk, animal and infant research. Together with scientific data, such tacit knowledge (faith commitments) may be important for parents, researchers and clinicians, when striving to implement of new treatments for infants.

Duties and Responsibilities The researcher's duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regards to publication and scientific communication. A candidate in theology, philosophy, sociology or anthropology, or a related field, with specific insights into health, food or animal/infant research is preferred. To a limited degree, the position may also include other duties, including administration and teaching.

The research environment The Faculty of Theology is dedicated to fostering a workplace culture grounded in diversity, inclusion, and equity. We strive to offer a supportive environment for researchers at every stage of their careers, emphasizing both work–life balance and equitable access to career development opportunities.

Qualification Requirements and Assessment Criteria Employment as a postdoctoral researcher requires academic qualifications at PhD level. For this position, applicants must hold a PhD in Theology, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, or a related field, and demonstrate academic competence to investigate the intersection between scientific discoveries and existential commitments, passion and faith(s).

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in theology (e.g. ethics or science-engaged theology), anthropology (e.g. medical, existential, or multispecies), philosophy (e.g. phenomenology, existential philosophy), or a related interdisciplinary field
• Academic training in qualitative research methods, particularly ethnography, phenomenology, and in-depth interviewing.
• Experience with or strong interest in mixed-methods research (survey design, quantitative analysis), formal training is not required, but willingness to engage is essential
• Interest in or documented experience with medical scientific-clinical decision-making, uncertainty, neonatal care, or translational research
• The ability to work in interdisciplinary networks across medical anthropology, theology, philosophy, and the medical/biological sciences
• Excellency in Danish and English language (spoken and written). Proficiency in Danish is required in order to conduct the study in Denmark

To be eligible, applicants must have obtained their PhD within the required timeframe defined by the university.

The application must include a project description (maximum 1.5 pages) outlining how the applicant will contribute to the project, with specific attention to the mixed-methods design, the theoretical framework, and the comparative analysis across the three groups of researchers. Applicants will be assessed based on their academic qualifications, research experience, publication record, and demonstrated ability to conduct independent and collaborative research. Emphasis will be placed on the relevance of the applicant's background to the themes of meaning, faith, existential attachment, and cross-cultural perspectives in medical research contexts.

Teaching experience is not required but may be considered as part of the overall assessment if relevant. Application Applications must be submitted online in PDF or Word format. The application must include the following attachments:

1. Letter of motivation
2. CV
3. Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)
4. Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

• Peer-reviewed publications :
  • Monographs and anthologies
  • Articles in journals
  • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.
• Non-peer-reviewed publications:
  • Publications disseminating research findings, etc.

Applicants can attach a maximum of 3 publications. The publication dates must be clearly marked on the list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1-3

1. Research plan.
2. Documentation of teaching competencies/teaching portfolio (see the UCPH guidelines for teaching portfolios here ) and other work on the dissemination of research.

Only documentation in Danish, German, and English will be assessed.