Three-Year Postdoc i Economics & History – The Age of Creativity i Odense

The Department of Economics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a three-year Postdoctoral position within the project The Age of Creativity: Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life, funded by a Carlsberg Foundation grant awarded to Professor Karol J. Borowiecki.

The workplace will be located at SDU’s Odense campus.

The starting date is flexible, with a preferred start of September 1, 2026.

Description

The successful applicant will join the Historical Economics and Development Group (HEDG), one of Europe’s leading centers for quantitative research in economic history, including the economic history of the arts.

HEDG is recognized for its strong research profile, attracting substantial external funding and media attention, and publishing widely in top academic outlets. As part of an international department where the working language is English, HEDG provides a vibrant and collaborative research environment.

The successful candidate will join the Carlsberg Foundation-funded project, The Age of Creativity: Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life. The project examines how creativity evolves across the life course, with a particular focus on its persistence into older age. It investigates when creativity peaks, why it can endure, and which personal, social, and institutional factors allow it to flourish over long careers.

Using unique large-scale longitudinal data on artists and academic scholars, the project applies methods from applied econometrics and economic demography to analyze creative productivity, originality, and influence over time. This research addresses a fundamental scientific question and contributes to policy debates on innovation, aging, and lifelong productivity in modern societies.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to a high-quality research environment by pursuing an independent research agenda and actively participating in the research project led by Professor Karol Jan Borowiecki, while also fostering a positive and constructive working environment through openness to interdisciplinary collaboration across the department and with external collaborators.

Profile and Requirements

• PhD degree in economics or a related discipline
• Documented research experience in applied econometrics.
• Team-oriented with effective communication skills.
• Be fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• A track record in participating in national and/or European research projects is a plus.

Preferred qualifications (an advantage):

• Demonstrated interest in economic history and/or cultural economics.
• Familiarity with demographic methods, longitudinal data analysis, or life-course analysis.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Head of Administration Astrid Holm Nielsen, e-mail: astni@sam.sdu.dk. For general questions regarding relocation, housing, taxes etc., contact the SDU’s International Staff Office.

For more information on the department guidelines for qualification and recruitment please see our Appointment Guidelines.

Application, salary, etc.

The position requires a PhD or equivalent qualifications, and appointment will be made in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

An application must include:

• A motivated application

• A research plan that describes the relation of your research agenda to the research project

• A detailed CV

• Copy of Certificates/Diplomas (Master and PhD degree).

• A complete list of publications

• Up to 3 of the most relevant working papers or publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.

  • Please attach the PhD dissertation as a publication if such exists.

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English, and all documents must be in pdf format, no more than 5 MB per file. Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying. If you experience technical problems when uploading the application, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application should be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae should be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents should be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

The application deadline is 20 April 2026, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English.

Assessment of applications will be done under existing Appointment Order for universities.

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.

The assessment committee evaluates the applications based on the appointment guidelinesof the department.

Applications that are incomplete regarding the above requirements will not be assessed by the committee.

Shortlisting and tests may be used in the assessment process. Shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

As part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, an interview may be applied.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now" on our website. Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked) or Word format.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.