Postdoctoral Position in Stakeholder and Consumer Research

Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Stakeholder and Consumer Research within the Food Quality Perception and Society (FQS) science team. The position is embedded in a portfolio of European research and innovation projects addressing sustainable packaging, food labelling and circularity. A central focus will be to understand consumer and stakeholder needs and translate these insights into research and development of packaging and food labelling solutions that promote sustainable consumption and production, strengthen circularity, and inform communication strategies to enhance consumer awareness, engagement and adoption. The postdoc will work across several EU-funded projects, including among others BIOWRAP (funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, CBE JU), Environmental Food Label (funded by EIT Food), and CIRC4FOOD (funded by Horizon Europe).

Research and responsibilities
The postdoc will conduct and coordinate stakeholder and consumer research, with particular emphasis on qualitative and mixed-method approaches, including:

• stakeholder mapping, interviews, focus groups, workshops and co-creation;
• consumer research on perceptions, needs, barriers, motivations and adoption;
• translating research insights into product, packaging and labelling innovation;
• engaging industry, consumers, policymakers and other stakeholders throughout the research and innovation process;
• designing and implementing consumer engagement and communication actions to raise awareness, encourage participation, share research findings and promote the uptake of sustainable solutions;
• developing accessible, targeted and audience-appropriate communication materials and activities, including consumer-facing content, dissemination events and interactive engagement formats;
• collaborating with technical, regulatory and interdisciplinary experts to integrate consumer and stakeholder insights with product specifications, user needs, and relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, supporting the development of sustainable and feasible solutions.
• leading and contributing to scientific publications, project deliverables and research communication; and
• identifying new research questions, collaborations and opportunities for future EU and national funding.

Qualifications
Applicants must have:

• a PhD degree or equivalent in consumer science, social sciences, psychology, behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, marketing/ business, food science -with a focus on consumer science, culture or systems-, science communication or a related discipline;
• documented experience in consumer and/or stakeholder research;
• experience designing and conducting qualitative research, such as interviews, focus groups, workshops or co-creation;
• strong statistical skills and experience in data analysis and interpretation of various methods;
• strong analytical and scientific writing skills, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications;
• experience working independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary and international research teams;
• excellent written and spoken English; and
• strong organisational and communication skills.

Experience with mixed-method research, sustainable consumption, product or packaging innovation, environmental labelling, food research, public engagement, open science, EU-funded projects or external funding development will be considered an advantage.

Profile and opportunities
We are looking for an independent, collaborative and creative researcher able to work across disciplines and engage effectively with consumers, industry, researchers and societal stakeholders.

The position offers an opportunity to develop a research profile at the intersection of consumer and stakeholder science, sustainable solution design, innovation and societal impact, while contributing to high-profile European research projects and developing new research collaborations and funding opportunities.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 2–year position from 1 January 2027, or as soon possible thereafter.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

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.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.