Postdoctoral position in digital heritage at the Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen

The Department Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a fixed term two-year postdoctoral position as part of the funded project ‘Missing, Distorted or Normalized? The Impact of Large-Scale Datafication of Archival Material’ from 1 December 2026.

Introduction

The researcher will be part of the project ‘Missing, Distorted or Normalized? The Impact of Large-Scale Datafication of Archival Material’. The MiDiN-DatA project investigates how, human and AI based methods for turning archival documents into data, shape future historical narratives. Funded by the Augustinus Foundation through its Research in Cultural Heritage initiative, the project runs from May 2026 to April 2029. It is led by the National Archives in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen.

The researcher will join the research team at Department of Communication, primarily in work package 4, led by associate professor Henriette Roued. In wp4, the focus will be on examining the human involvement in crowdsourcing and use of transcribed and datafied archival collections, through quantitative and qualitative methods, e.g. para data from transcription platforms and surveys/focus groups with various heritage practice communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

We seek someone with expertise in the wider field of digital heritage who will be responsible for carrying out independent as well as cooperative research within the frame of the grant. They will be part of a larger collaboration of researchers from the university’s Saxo Institute and the Danish National Archives, who are working on several projects aimed at understanding and creating large scale heritage datasets (e.g. Mapping Freedom, Widows, NordHistPop and HisPeR, - see National Archives.

There will be regular research and outreach activities where the research team engages in cross-disciplinary discussions. There is no teaching associated with this position.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

More information on careers at UCPH and the requirement for the different academic positions is available on: Career at The University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

For more about postdoc positions and qualification requirements, see the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities: Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (ufm.dk)

We are looking for a candidate with a research background in the humanities or social sciences, preferably history/heritage disciplines, digital humanities, information studies, anthropology, or related disciplines. The candidate should have demonstrated experience with data science methods and a programming language (preferably Python). Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Additionally, it would be an advantage if the candidate is fluent in Danish and has experience working with participatory methodologies (e.g. crowdsourcing) and user studies (qualitative and quantitative) within heritage institutions, as well as experience with genealogical or history-inspired work.

Applicants will primarily be assessed in relation to their research qualifications, including their publications, ability to conduct independent research and participate in research collaborations, and their experience of research management. In addition, the applicant’s research plan and research potential will be assessed in relation to the overall project described above.

Application

Applications must be submitted online in PDF or Word format. Click “Apply now” at the bottom of this advertisement to apply.

Applications may be written in Danish or English and must include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation

• CV

• Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)

• Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

  • Peer-reviewed publications:
    • Monographs and anthologies
    • Articles in journals
    • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.
  • Non-peer-reviewed publications:
    • Publications disseminating research findings, etc.
    • Other related materials
  • Applicants can attach a maximum of 2 publications in English or Scandinavian languages related to the project. The publication dates must be clearly marked on the list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1 and 2.

• Research plan. Maximum 1 page outlining preliminary ideas and how their expertise would be applied to the research to be carried out during the period of the position.

• Contact information of two referees.

Applicants are invited to familiarize themselves with the faculty’s strategic landmarks here: Strategic landmarks – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Salary and terms of employment

Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at approximately DKK 39,990 (EUR 5,340) + a 18,07 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The recruitment process

Once the deadline for applications has expired, the Head of Department will consider advice from the appointment committee and select applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. The Head of Department will then set up an expert assessment committee to consider the applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. They will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment of their application before the appointment is announced.

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

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, see HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

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: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Contact information

Information about the recruitment process is available from HR Sarah Lund, email: HR-soendre@adm.ku.dk - **please refer to ID number:**211-2623/26-2I #2

Additional information about the position can be obtained from Henriette Roued, email: roued@hum.ku.dk phone +4535321383

The deadline for applications is 25 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info

Ansøgningsfrist: 25-08-2026 Ansættelsesdato: 01-12-2026 Afdeling/Sted: Department of Communication Indhold ikke tilgængeligt på grund af cookie-valg Du kan ikke se indholdet i dette felt på grund af dine cookie-valg.

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