Postdoctoral Research Fellow in History of Philosophy - University of Copenhagen Faculty of Humanities
Job Description
Postdoctoral Position in History of Philosophy
The Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a postdoctoral position in History of Philosophy from 1 May 2026. This is a fixed-term position for 30 months.
About the Project
The postdoc will contribute to the ERC-funded project "Women in the Nordic Enlightenment (WHENCE): Changing the narratives of early modern philosophy and uncovering women's contribution to Scandinavian gender equality" led by PI Sabrina Ebbersmeyer. This groundbreaking project aims to illuminate and critically assess women's intellectual contribution to the Nordic Enlightenment by examining an extensive text corpus of unpublished and published works by over a hundred Scandinavian women. The project explores the hypothesis that Nordic women's Enlightenment significantly differed from developments elsewhere in Europe, with women playing a decisive role in establishing the Nordic countries' identification with gender equality.
The expert on "Female Rule" will investigate the impact of high nobility women, particularly queens, on perceptions of female rule and women in power. This research encompasses queens' writings (correspondence and autobiographies), women's writings dedicated to queens, laudatory poems, texts about exemplary female rulers, and complementary university dissertations addressing female rule. The role will also examine gender fluidity by analyzing tensions between established gender roles and female rulers.
About the Department
The postdoc will be affiliated with the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Women in the History of Philosophy (INSPIRE) and the internationally renowned Section for Philosophy within the Department of Communication. The department comprises approximately 80 faculty members, 40 PhD students, 20 postdocs, 40 part-time lecturers, 11 administrative staff, and 2,200 students. Annually generating approximately 30 million DKK in external research funding, the department produces world-leading research that sets the agenda for many national initiatives and conversations.
Duties and Responsibilities
This full-time research position involves:
- Active engagement in the WHENCE project, including project meetings and collaboration with partners
- Participation in international conferences and publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
- Contributing to the broader research environment at the University of Copenhagen
- Participating in collective research activities, including organizing conferences and workshops
- Contributing to the edition of a collective volume and source book
- Close cooperation with the PI and other WHENCE team members
Requirements
Essential Qualifications:
- Academic qualifications at PhD level in philosophy or relevant related subjects (history, literature, or history of ideas)
- Expertise in history of philosophy and history of political thought or history of ideas
- High proficiency in English and Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian
- Demonstrated ability to use English as working language (written and spoken)
- Clear potential to deliver high-quality peer-reviewed research publications
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with feminist history of philosophy or Scandinavian intellectual history
- Expertise with editorial work and manuscripts, particularly early modern Scandinavian texts
- Latin reading skills
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted online in PDF or Word format and include:
- Letter of motivation
- CV
- Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)
- Complete publication list with up to 5 publications attached
- Research plan (3-4 pages) addressing: "To what extent did Nordic queens contribute to the understanding and acceptance of female rule and power?"
The research proposal should demonstrate capacity to develop a postdoctoral project and identify relevant methodological tools.
Assessment Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated primarily on research qualifications, including publications, ability to conduct independent research and participate in research collaborations, research management experience, and research potential in relation to the WHENCE project. While teaching qualifications are not required, documented teaching experience may be considered in the overall assessment.
Terms of Employment
Salary and terms will align with agreements between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC), with possibilities for negotiated salary supplements. The University of Copenhagen is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive working environment, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
International Support
The University offers comprehensive services for international researchers and families, including relocation support and career counseling for partners.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 23:59 (CEST) on 15 February 2026. Applications received
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About Københavns Universitet
Since 1479, the University of Copenhagen has been at the forefront of intellectual discovery, where groundbreaking research and critical thinking drive innovation that shapes our world. As one of Europe's leading research universities, we foster a dynamic international community of 5,000 researchers and 39,000 students, consistently ranking among the world's top institutions. Our university empowers both researchers and students to reach their full potential through ambitious interdisciplinary initiatives that strengthen our vibrant academic communities. We believe in research-based education, actively engaging students in cutting-edge research projects that prepare them to tackle society's most pressing challenges. Committed to environmental leadership, we are transforming our campus into one of the world's most sustainable university environments, minimizing our ecological footprint while maximizing our positive impact. Through strategic partnerships with industry and comprehensive sustainability programs, we connect students with meaningful opportunities to drive environmental innovation. At the University of Copenhagen, we champion gender equality and celebrate diversity as fundamental strengths that enrich our academic excellence and research breakthroughs.