Applications are invited for one or more PhD fellowships/scholarships at the BSS Graduate School, Aarhus University, Denmark, within CEPDISC. The centre conducts interdisciplinary research on discrimination, combining philosophical analysis with empirical and experimental methods. Successful applicants will develop an independent PhD project that contributes to one or more of CEPDISC’s core research questions.
Overview of CEPDISC’s research
At CEPDISC we study discrimination from an experimental-philosophical perspective. Our research is grounded in the combination of philosophical analysis, political and social psychology, and experimental (or other relevant quantitative) methods.
At CEPDISC we ask three main research questions: 1) What is discrimination and what forms of discrimination exist? 2) What are the main grounds for objecting to discrimination and how do these relate? 3) What are the psychological mechanisms behind discrimination and what can and should be done to counteract/mitigate discrimination? We pursue these questions through 11 work packages. You can read more about the centre and the work packages (WP) here.
Job description
We are looking for candidates who can contribute to answering the research questions presented above. Accordingly, applicants are expected to explain in their application how their project can contribute to answering one or more of them. The PhD project will be carried out as part of an ongoing research project, and the PhD student’s role in relation to the research questions will depend on the selected candidate and their proposed project. Applicants are therefore required to submit a project description outlining how they would design and conduct their research within the framework of the overall project.
Applicants are most welcome to contact relevant WP leaders prior to submitting their application. We recognize that research plans often evolve, and applicants with ideas that would modify or expand our current research areas should not be discouraged from applying.
Your qualifications
We expect the selected applicants to have a master’s degree in either political science, philosophy, social psychology, sociology, economics, law or related fields. We are looking for candidates with a strong interest in discrimination research, preferably from an experimental-philosophical perspective, or at least from either an empirical-experimental or a philosophical perspective.
The research group/center
CEPDISC is a centre of excellence devoted to the experimental-philosophical study of discrimination and funded for a 10-year period by the Danish National Research Foundation. CEPDISC's research is grounded in philosophical analysis and empirical social science, including political psychology, political behavior, and experimental methods. The centre consists of approx. 20 members, organized in small interdisciplinary teams.
Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen is Director of CEPDISC and Kim Mannemar Sønderskov the Vice-Director. For an overview of the centre’s organization and core group members see here.
CEPDISC is part of the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University. With around 140 academic staff members and 50 PhD students, which the selected applicants will become members of.
Further information
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen, lippert@ps.au.dk.
If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Coordinator Mette Fisker Præstegaard, mfp@au.dk.
Place of work
Department of Political Science, Bartholins Allé 7, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
What do we offer?
Aarhus BSS is part of Aarhus University, an internationally recognised research university with well-established academic environments and close engagement with society and industry. As a PhD student, you will gain:
- access to renowned researchers and international networks
- an engaging and supportive research environment
- a pathway to a research career or a career in the private or public sector
- We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and recognize diversity as a key asset. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on an overall evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications. Particular emphasis is placed on:
- the quality, originality, and relevance of the research proposal
- academic performance in both bachelor’s and master’s degree studies
- evidence of a demonstrated ability to produce substantial written work, such as a master’s thesis, during studies or in other contexts
- The final decision regarding admission is made by the management based on an assessment of both the quality of the proposed project and the applicant’s ability to complete it within the prescribed timeframe.
- Applicants are encouraged to include documentation of their class ranking (e.g. ranking or percentile), as this provides additional context for the assessment. However, this is not a requirement.
Framework for the PhD Programme
- The PhD programme is conducted in accordance with the current Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme and the rules and guidelines for PhD students at Aarhus BSS, both of which can be found here.
- It is not essential that your educational background matches the PhD programme exactly. The most important consideration is that your project is academically relevant and can be anchored within the research area of the PhD programme.
How to apply
You can read more about the application requirements in the application guide and find answers to frequently asked questions concerning the application process in our FAQ.
Terms of Employment
- If admitted to the 3-year PhD programme, you will also be offered employment in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state (in Danish). The job description and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
- Salary and employment terms are governed by the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state. You will be appointed as a PhD fellow at base pay level 4–8, depending on your educational background and qualifications.
Aarhus University’s 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.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8,700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aarhus Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
BSS PS Inst. for Statskundskab, Bartholinds Allé, 8000 Aarhus C
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 07-09-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/8c975f44-6771-4ab8-9836-3112915299ec
