Introduction
The PhD programme provides PhD students with strong research training which opens a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The programme includes the drafting of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD programme can be undertaken as a three-year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study programme, or as a four-year full-time study programme within the framework of the 4+4 study programme.
Duties and responsibilities
Further information about the PhD study programme is available on the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences: https://samf.ku.dk/phd-skolen/english/.
Under "Legal basis" on the website you will find information about the rules and guidelines for the PhD programme and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD programme at the Universities.
Information about the PhD study programme is also available on the PhD website of the Department of Sociology. Please see: https://www.sociology.ku.dk/phd-studies/.
Applicants should familiarise themselves with the research strategy and the ongoing research at the department before submitting their application. Further information can be found here: https://www.sociology.ku.dk/phd-studies/.
Scholarship in the 5+3 or in the 4+4 PhD study programme
The 5+3 PhD study programme
In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study programme, the applicant must have completed a two-year MSc degree programme or have earned 120 ECTS credits at an equivalent academic level before starting employment. Applicants should check the study programmes for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3 year period of time without additional pay. The work obligation can include teaching, for instance.
The 4+4 PhD study programme
Students who have completed a BSc plus 60 ECTS of an MSc degree programme would enrol as PhD students simultaneously with their enrolment in the MSc degree programme. Applicants should check the study programmes for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. Until an MSc degree is obtained, the grant is paid partly in the form of up to 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: SU-klip). More specifically the PhD student will be paid two grant portions per month plus salary for work (teaching, presentations etc.) which totals a workload of at least 280 hours. Payment and conditions of employment are carried out in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Upon completion of the MSc degree programme, the student is transferred to the salary-earning part of the PhD studies. The PhD student is expected to seek funding for fieldwork as this is not included in the scholarship.
The qualifications of applicants with non-Danish Master’s degrees will be assessed to ascertain whether they correspond to the Danish level. For further information, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Education and Research: https://ufm.dk/en/education/admission-and-guidance.
How to apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The format of the documents must be Adobe PDF or Word.
- Cover letter (detailing your motivation and background for applying with the specific PhD project)
- CV
- Project description (recommended no more than 12,000 characters not including bibliography)
- Project abstract (please fill in the project abstract box in the application form. Must not exceed 1,200 characters)
- Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
- Time schedule
- Other information for consideration, e.g., list of publications, documentation of English language qualifications (if any).
Application process
On the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences, you will find information about the application process, and enclosures to include with your electronic application: https://samf.ku.dk/phd-skolen/english/applicants/application/current_advertisement/.
The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
The following criteria are used when shortlisting candidates for assessment:
1. Research qualifications as reflected in the project proposal.
2. Quality and feasibility of the project.
3. Qualifications and knowledge in sociology or related disciplines.
4. Performance (grades obtained) in graduate and post-graduate studies.
5. Department of Sociology can offer adequate supervision for the research topic in question.
Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant can comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
Please note that normally there is strong competition for these scholarships and only one can be awarded this term.
Enrolment
In order to be awarded a PhD scholarship, the applicant must enrol as a PhD student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial order No 1039 of 27 August 2013.
An equal opportunity workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, please see: https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/.
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/.
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk. Please refer to ID number: 211-2047/25-2H #1.
Additional information about the position can be obtained from the Head of the PhD programme at Department of Sociology, Mathias Wullum Nielsen, e-mail: mwn@soc.ku.dk.
The closing date for applications is 2 March 2025 at 23:59 CET.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
