Postdoctoral position in Economics of Religion

The Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for one or more Postdoctoral positions in economics of religion starting in summer 2023. The position is for one or two years, and is fully funded by the research project “Shocking Religion: Using Natural Experiments to Quantify How Religion Impacts Society”

The Research Project
Applications are invited for a one to two-year fully funded Postdoc position (with no teaching obligations) at the Department of Economics, UCPH, in connection with the project “Shocking Religion: Using Natural Experiments to Quantify How Religion Impacts Society”. The overarching aim of the project is to examine whether differences in religiosity can explain an important part of various economic confounders, such as aggregate economic growth, gender inequality, profession choices, etc. We focus on religiosity, i.e. the strength of peoples’ faith, rather than their type of religion. To identify the causal impact of religiosity, we will exploit natural experiments and construct data on religiosity that varies within countries and within religious denominations.

We are looking for an excellent candidate with a strong background in applied econometrics, preferably applied to topics of religion or cultural values more broadly. Candidates are expected to have completed, or be close to completing, their doctoral studies in one of the topics indicated above. The Postdoc position is part of a larger project financed by a Sapere Aude research grant from the Independent Research Foundation Denmark, received by Jeanet Sinding Bentzen. The Postdoc will join a team of researchers led by Jeanet Sinding Bentzen and a broader research group within economic history and development economics, all focused on empirical research of the deep determinants of economic outcomes. The Postdoc is expected to contribute to joint projects with other team members, but will also have space for independent work. Further information about the research project can be found here: https://dff.dk/en/grants/copy_of_research-leaders-2020/copy_of_researchleader-8?set_language=en .

If you have any questions, please contact Associate Professor and principal investigator (PI) Jeanet Sinding Bentzen ([email protected] , https://web.econ.ku.dk/bentzen/ ).

Duties, Responsibilities, and Opportunities
The primary responsibility of the Postdoc is to conduct research in the economics of religion field. The Postdoc is expected to contribute to the project’s overall research agenda by processing and analyzing large datasets and potentially provide overviews of a literature. This will occur as a collaborator and co-author with the other project participants. A key aim of the Postdoc position, however, is also to help candidates develop and improve their independent research profile and serve as a stepping stone for a future position as Assistant Professor (or similar) at an international research institution. During the one-two years, the Postdoc will therefore also have time available to work independently on their other existing research projects, and to develop new projects of their own within the overall research agenda of the Shocking Religion project.

Your Competences
The candidate must have obtained a PhD degree in Economics or a closely related field before taking up the Postdoc position. Employment is expected to begin on August 15, 2023, though this date can be negotiated. In addition, the following competences are viewed as a plus (but not a necessity):

• Previous experience with large datasets and/or administrative data sources.
• Previous experience working with text analysis.
• Previous experience working with spatial data.
• Familiarity with the literature on the economics of religion.

Candidates possessing these competences should make sure to highlight this in their application.

The Environment
The Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen offers a stimulating research environment. The Department has an established strategy of being an elite economics department in Europe. This is reflected in the rapid growth and track record of top publications of its faculty. See more at https://econ.ku.dk/ or read the department’s strategy here: https://www.economics.ku.dk/department/reportsplans/M_l-_og_handleplan_OI_final.pdf .

The department is located in central Copenhagen. The international nature of Copenhagen and the high English-language proficiency makes it an easy and attractive city to live in for candidates coming from abroad.

The Department of Economics is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:

• Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge, learning and social change.
• Empowering students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
• Energizing global, European, and Danish communities of knowledge by innovative research methodologies and by research findings with impact.

For more on the Faculty strategy, see: https://socialsciences.ku.dk/faculty/strategy/ .

Terms of Employment

The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here:  https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

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: 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: [email protected], please refer to ID number: 211-1200/22-2I #1.

Additional information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Jeanet Sinding Bentzen via email: [email protected] .

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 documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word. 

Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:

• Application, including reasons for applying for this position (max. 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae, including list of publications / working papers.
• Publications / working papers to be considered (a maximium of 5 may be enclosed).
• Diplomas – all relevant certificates.

The closing date for applications is on November 15, 2022 23:59 CET.

Applications or material received thereafter will not be considered. Virtual job interviews will take place during the European Job Market for Economists (mid December 2022) or by appointment.

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.