Postdoc in Medical Science and Technology Studies/Medical Anthropology

The Centre for Medical Science and Technology Studies at the Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a 32 month postdoc in Medical Science and Technology Studies/Medical Anthropology. The position is available from February 15, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The postdoc is available via the Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate-funded project PATHWAYs of precision: AI-driven predictions in neurocognitive and mental illness | Carlsbergfondet.dk, and will employ ethnographic methods to explore the use of predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare and its implications for contemporary medical practice.



Project description

We seek a highly motivated postdoc with a strong interest in ethnographic research on the social, ethical, and organizational implications of novel digital and data-intensive medical technologies. Specifically, the postdoc will investigate and theorize how predictive AI-based voice biomarker models for the identification and diagnosis of dementia establish new pathways for patient and personhood, professional practice, and healthcare delivery. The postdoc will conduct participant observation in clinical settings at hospitals, qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals, patients, and biomedical/bioinformatics scientists, as well as document analysis of policy papers and clinical guidelines related to AI in healthcare.



Our group and research
The postdoc will be based at the Centre for Medical Science and Technology Studies (MeST) at the Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. MeST is a vibrant, internationally recognized, and highly interdisciplinary research environment with scholars from public health, anthropology, sociology, history, psychology, medicine, and philosophy. United by a shared interest in how medical technologies shape and interact with humans and healthcare systems, MeST researchers explore a wide range of topics, with a particular—though not exclusive—focus on precision medicine and digital health. The center provides a stimulating intellectual setting, offering opportunities for collaboration, academic exchange, and methodological innovation.



Principal Investigator is Associate Professor Iben Mundbjerg Gjødsbøl, e-mail: ibgj@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: 35337318.

Start: February 15, 2027

Duration: 32 months



Your job
Your key tasks as a postdoc are:

• Carrying through an independent ethnographic research project in collaboration with the research team,
• Participating in active research environments, including a stay with an international research team.
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge
• Writing three peer-reviewed articles in high-ranking international journals on the grounds of your project

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic social scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in anthropology, Science and Technology Studies, ethnology, public health, or sociology
• You are highly experienced in conducting ethnographic research in healthcare settings
• You have an active interest in medical anthropology/medical science and technology studies
• You are skilled in theorizing the use and implications of digital and AI-based predictive technologies in healthcare
• You demonstrate excellent written and oral command of English.
• You demonstrate excellent written and oral command of Danish. As fieldwork will be conducted in Danish clinical settings with Danish-speaking patients and healthcare professionals, fluency in Danish from the outset of the position is an absolute requirement.
• You are willing to work interdisciplinarily and collaboratively.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with interdisciplinary and collaborative research

Place of employment

Place of employment is the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, international research environment.



Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 39,900 DKK/approx. 5,300 EUR (August 2026-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years



Questions
For specific information about the fellowship, please contact Associate Professor Iben M. Gjødsbøl[IG1] .



Application procedure
Your application including all attachment must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Cover letter explaining your qualifications and research focus (max. one page).
2. Motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying for the position (max. two pages). The motivation letter should include a short, suggested project outline, including motivation for the study, research questions, and methodology.
3. CV including education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
5. Publication list
6. Names and email addresses of two references (reference letters are not required)

Application deadline: 26 November 2026, 23:59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.



The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/



The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).