One Postdoctoral/Assistant Professor position: ‘Networking the War: An Ethnograp

The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a 20-month Postdoctoral/Assistant Professorship position to be filled from 1 September 2026.

Deadline 20 May 2026, 23:59 CEST

Expected start 1 Sep 2026

Fixed term full-time position 20 months

Introduction

The researcher will be part of the project ‘****Networking the War: An Ethnographic-Analytical Study of Minority Perspectives, Mobility, and Recovery in War-Affected Ukraine’ which is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (October 2025 – September 2028). The researcher will join a research team led from the University of Copenhagen with partner universities in the UK and the European Centre of Minority Issues, Germany. The Postdoc/Assistant Professor will work on the sub-project ‘Crimean Tatars: Transnationalism and Geographic Dispossession,’ under the leadership of PI, Associate Professor Vera Skvirskaja.

Duties and Responsibilities

We seek someone with expertise in Crimean Tatar Studies and transnational migration who is able to design and implement a research project on the institutions, religious organisations, networks, and grassroots practices that have facilitated migration as well as Crimean Tatars’ quest for justice, in particular since the annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the Russian war in Ukraine (2014). Periods of fieldwork in diasporic locations of Crimean Tatars (e.g., Poland, Germany, Turkey) and in mainland Ukraine (depending on the security situation) are to be expected.

The researcher will work in the interdisciplinary research environment at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies and must be willing and able to participate in regular research and outreach activities where the research team engage in cross-disciplinary. discussions. Contribution to university courses (up to 20%) is expected but can be negotiated.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria

Applicants should have a background in cultural studies, cultural history, anthropology, cultural geography or related disciplines. Experience with qualitative, ethnographic and participatory research methodologies is essential. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, along with good working knowledge of Crimean Tatar, Ukrainian, and Russian languages.

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications. For the postdoctoral position, the successful applicant must have completed a PhD no more than 4 years prior to the date of application (i.e., a PhD age of maximum 4 years in total, excluding officially approved leave and similar circumstances).

More information on careers at UCPH and the requirement for the different academic positions is available on:
Career at The University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

For more about postdoc positions and qualification requirements, please read the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025 here: Bekendtgørelse om stillinstruktur for videnskabeligt personale ved universiteterne (unfortunately, the job structure for 2025 is not yet available in English).

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 of research management. The applicant’s research plan and research potential will be assessed in relation to the focus areas described above.

Application
Applications must be submitted online in PDF or Word format via the University of Copenhagen’s recruitment system, accessible through the job advertisement on the university’s website.
Applications may be written in English or Danish and must include the following attachments:

1. A cover letter explaining your motivation (including an explanation why you consider yourself as a suitable candidate for the project).
2. A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including relevant extra-curricular activities and breaks (max. 2 pages).
3. A complete list of published works and other examples of academic output (e.g., exhibitions, films, vlogs). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

Peer-reviewed publications:

• • Monographs, anthologies, and edited volumes
  • Articles in journals
  • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.

Non-peer-reviewed publications:

• • Academic publications
  • Exhibitions, films, vlogs, etc.

The publication dates must be clearly marked on the list.

1. Two publications in English on subjects related to Crimean Tatars (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk in the publication list). The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1 and 2.
2. Research plan. Maximum 1 page outlining preliminary ideas and how their expertise would be applied to the research to be carried out during the period of the position.
3. Copies of degree certificates (examination certificates/PhD diploma, etc.).
4. Contact information of two referees.

Selection procedure

After the application deadline, the Head of Department selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the appointment committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. An expert assessment committee carry out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Based upon the assessments, a selection of qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Please be advised that a positive assessment does not necessarily mean that one will be invited for an interview.

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Salary and conditions of employment

Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at DKK 39,237.41 per month, (EUR 5,250) + an 18.07 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) have further agreed on a protocol that makes it possible for international researchers employed by the University to achieve a pension exemption, whereby the pension contribution will be paid out as salary. For more information about the different pension schemes, please read more here: https://ism.ku.dk/salary-tax-pension/pension/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on how it is to work in Denmark and at UCPH here: http://ism.ku.dk, http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm and https://www.workindenmark.dk/.

UCPH ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve, and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants, regardless of personal background.

For further information about the position, please contact the PI Vera Skvirskaja, e-mail: bdq883@hum.ku.dk.

Applicants must submit the application electronically no later than 20 May 2026 at 23:59 (11:59 pm) [CEST]

Applications or supplementary material received thereafter will not be considered.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organization – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Homepage

http://tors.ku.dk / https://ccrs.ku.dk