Introduction The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor within the field of psychology informed by the humanities. The position is available from October 1st 2026, but an earlier or later starting date is also possible.
The psychological humanities is a field of research that examines subjectivity, experience, meaning-making, and forms of psychological life through interpretive, phenomenological, philosophical, historical, and cultural approaches, among others, thereby contributing to the conceptual and theoretical development of psychology. Applications are invited from candidates conducting empirical research and / or theoretical studies within this field. We especially welcome applicants with strong, documented experience with qualitative methods and those working from different theoretical traditions who can contribute to strengthening collaboration across areas of psychology and across the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The call includes the following types of positions: - Tenure-Track Assistant Professor: The position comes with research and teaching obligations and offers the candidate a contract of six years that can result in a tenured associate professorship (contingent on positive evaluation).
- Associate Professor: The position is a permanent position with research and teaching obligations.
Please note that candidates will only be evaluated at the level of position(s) that they apply for, but that candidates can apply for more than one level (in that case, please indicate your priorities).
Hence, it is important that candidates clearly indicate the position(s) they are applying for. The hired candidates will join a group of faculty members researching and teaching in the area of Clinical Psychology and the Psychological Humanities. Teaching includes practical/training and theoretical seminars as well as supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and lectures mainly within Personality, Clinical and / or Theoretical Psychology as well as Theory of Science and Qualitative Methods. The teaching responsibilities within these areas are shared across the faculty members (e.g., the hired candidate/s would teach parts of the lecture series). At the Department of Psychology, teaching is carried out in Danish or English.
The Department The Department of Psychology at the University of Copenhagen is organized around three main research sections: Social, Cultural, Organizational, Personality, and Educational Psychology (SCOPE); Clinical and Health Psychology and Psychological Humanities; and Cognitive and Neuropsychology.
Education at the Department is directed towards the psychological profession and is characterized by a high level of critical engagement with theoretical, methodological, and applied contents. Our education also connects to other scientific disciplines and the department takes part in several interdisciplinary academic programmes.
Research at the Department is of high international and ethical standards and is characterized by a fundamental curiosity to shed light on various phenomena from a psychological perspective. Our research takes advantage of synergistic interactions across basic and applied psychological research and knowledge, as well as of interdisciplinary approaches.
For further information about the Department, please see: Department of Psychology – Department of Psychology - University of Copenhagen
For further information about the Section for Clinical and Health Psychology and Psychological Humanities, see: Clinical, Health, and Humanistic Psychology – Department of Psychology - University of Copenhagen
For a more detailed presentation of our current departmental strategy, please see: Strategy – Department of Psychology - University of Copenhagen (please note that the strategy is currently being revised).
For a summary of our Departmental Code of Conduct, please see: Code of Conduct
Duties and Responsibilities: Duties and responsibilities of the positions include contributing to the scholarship and intellectual life of the University by conducting high quality basic or applied research, delivering excellent teaching and support to students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and fulfilling additional roles and responsibilities depending on the level of appointment.
We expect applicants to conduct and develop their own research in synergy with the ongoing work within the Department, and to contribute to implementing the current departmental strategy and helping to define our ongoing shared goals and aspirations.
Your Competencies and Opportunities: To apply
for the position, candidates must hold a PhD degree in Psychology and be engaged in an active research programme of relevance to the psychological humanities. Additional required qualifications and experiences are commensurate with rank. Candidates must have an emerging (Tenure-Track Assistant Professor) or established (Associate Professor) track record of successful research and research-based teaching within the field, as well as experience with supervision of junior researchers for Associate Professor appointments.
It is essential that candidates have strong collaborative skills and are willing to take on academic and organizational citizenship or leadership roles (commensurate with rank) within the Department of Psychology.
The Department of Psychology views teaching as an integral part of employment at the department. Therefore, candidates should be able to demonstrate experience with teaching and teaching planning and coordination. Associate Professor appointments would be expected to have undergone a formal education in teaching and learning in higher education.
Successful candidates will have strong interpersonal skills as well as an aptitude for working collaboratively with colleagues in planning and delivering teaching, in research projects, and in the discharge of administrative duties.
Furthermore, candidates must demonstrate a commitment to student learning, supporting student welfare and enhancing the student experience.
Merit criteria and career progression: Candidates will be assessed according to the below list of qualifications and the University of Copenhagen’s five overall criteria for an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor appointments: 5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf
To be assessed as qualified for an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position at the University of Copenhagen, the candidate must meet the University’s criteria for academic merit: Criteria for recognising merit – University of Copenhagen
General criteria apply to the appointment an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organisational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.
Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here: Guidance_on_the_merit_criterion_Innovation_and_Societal_Impact_for_applicants_and_assessors.pdf
The assistant professorship is an educational position where the main tasks are research (including publication / academic dissemination duties) and research-based teaching (with related examination duties). Assistant professors must complete a university pedagogical programme and a written assessment of the teaching qualifications must be provided no later than three months before the termination of employment. The position as assistant professor will be filled as part of a tenure track programme under which the employee after a maximum of six years transfers to employment as an associate professor. Such transfer requires that the employee is assessed and found to be academically qualified for the level of associate professor. The department will continuously follow up on the assistant professor's development in relation to the set criteria.
More information about the tenure-track Assistant Professor programme for promotion to Associate Professor can be found here: Tenure track at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen
Employment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor. An associate professor must be able to participate in the department's general administration and examinations as well as in assessment committees.
Further information on qualification requirements as assistant and associate professor can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2025 here: Bekendtgørelse om stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale ved universiteter (in
Danish only)
Who to Contact: If you have any questions, please contact :
- Head of Department Annemarie Olsen. Email: [xxxxx] Phone: +[xxxxx]
- Professor Stig Poulsen. Email: [xxxxx] Phone: +[xxxxx]
Terms of appointment Terms of appointment and salary are in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne). In addition to the salary a 18.7 % contribution to the pension scheme is paid. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
International applicant? The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen
Non-Danish speaking employees are strongly encouraged to acquire proficiency in Danish required to teach and interact with colleagues in that language in 3-6 years. The Department will provide and pay for the necessary language training
An Equal Opportunity Workplace The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse work place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen
How to Apply Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply.
The application material must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. ZIP files and files that exceeds 20 MB cannot be uploaded.
Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:
- Motivated application (max. 3 pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Certificates and Diplomas
- Publication list. A complete list of all publications with clearly marked publication dates. The uploaded publications must be marked with * on the list to be assessed.
- Publications. Applicants can submit a maximum of 6 publications. The 6 most important publications, of which at least three must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for application. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and named from 1 to 6.
- Research plan that includes a brief description of previous research as well as a plan for the next few years.
- Teaching portfolio. Documentation of teaching qualifications in accordance with Guide_for_teaching_portfolio_when_appointing_academic_staff.pdf
- Documentation of ability to disseminate information. Documentation of the ability to disseminate information to and share knowledge with society.
Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavors, the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the work must be clearly specified. The hiring committee may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors specifying the extent and nature of each individual’s contribution.
Again, please note that candidates will only be evaluated at the level of position(s) that they apply for, but that candidates can apply for more than one level.
Hence, it is important that candidates clearly indicate the position(s) they are applying for. If you are applying for positions at both levels, please indicate 1st and 2nd priority.
The recruitment process Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail:
[xxxxx] please refer to ID number:
[xxxxx]/226-2N #1
The closing date for applications is 3 July 2026 at 23:59 CESTKilde:
[xxxxx]
