Job description
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
Start Date: October 1, 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Duration: 33 months (full-time)
About the Project
The Centre for Medical Science and Technology Studies (MeST) invites applications for two postdoctoral positions in medical science and technology studies/medical anthropology.
These positions are part of the Carlsberg Foundation-funded project Emotion Medicine: Musicians and Animals during Critical Illness and Death (EMOMED).
EMOMED explores how musicians and animals contribute to emotional care in Danish hospitals and hospices.
Using ethnographic methods, the project investigates how interactions with musicians and animals shape the emotional, social, and existential experiences of patients, families, and healthcare staff during critical illness and end-of-life care.
The project introduces the concept of “Emotion Medicine” to theorize how such encounters evoke patient personhood and compassion in clinical settings.
Research Focus
We seek two highly motivated candidates with a strong interest in ethnographic research on critical illness and death, patient care, the working conditions of healthcare staffs, and the innovative potentials of musicians and animals in healthcare settings.
Postdoc 1 (Music): Responsible for Work Package 1, conducting fieldwork with the MusikBeriget group performing in hospitals and hospices. Postdoc 2 (Animals): Responsible for Work Package 2, conducting fieldwork with the hospital dog at Rigshospitalet and animal visits at Svanevig Hospice. Both postdocs will conduct participant observation in clinical settings at hospitals and hospices, qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals, patients, families and musicians/animal caretakers, as well as document analysis of policy papers and ethnographic attention to relevant social media accounts.
The postdocs will work closely with the PI, a scientific assistant, a student assistant, and the research group TechnEmotion focused on emotion and technology in transplant medicine.
The Research Environment
The postdocs will be based at MeST, a vibrant, interdisciplinary research center within the Department of Public Health.
MeST brings together scholars from anthropology, sociology, public health, history, psychology, medicine, and philosophy.
The center focuses on the social implications of medical technologies, ethical challenges in healthcare, and innovations in patient care.
It offers a stimulating environment for collaboration, academic exchange, and methodological development.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for two highly motivated and collaborative researchers with:
A PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, Public Health, or a related field Strong experience in ethnographic fieldwork, particularly with vulnerable populations Interest in emotional care, medical anthropology, and science and technology studies Proficiency in qualitative methods, including participant observation and interviews Familiarity with or interest in digital ethnography Excellent writing and communication skills Ability to work independently and manage a subproject Fluency in Danish (fieldwork will be conducted in Danish contexts) Proficiency in English (written and spoken) Additional assets include ethnographic experience in clinical settings and prior research involving music or animals.
We value candidates who are enthusiastic about interdisciplinary collaboration, committed to ethical research, and eager to contribute to joint publications, teaching, and public engagement (, conferences, podcasts, social media).
Employment Terms
Location: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Fixed-term, 33 months Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between
the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant
organisation.
Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,700 DKK/approx.
5,100 EUR (April 2025 level).
Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.
The employer will pay an additional 17.1 %
to your pension fund.
Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not
lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.
For further information, please contact:
Associate Professor Anja Marie Bornø Jensen
| +45 3055 9321
Application
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below.
Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
Motivated letter (1 page) and Project Description (2 pages).
You are welcome to apply for both subprojects. CV incl.
education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position, such as outreach activities. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate.
If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do. List of publications with a short explanation of the three most important ones. Deadline for applications: August 8th 2025, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee.
All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.
Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
You can read about the recruitment process at
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no.
242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 35.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Required Skill Profession
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