Postdoctoral Researcher in Memory Laws and Politics

The Centre for Military Studies at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen is looking for a highly motivated and experienced post-doctoral researcher to join our research group working on a Volkswagen Foundation-funded project The Challenge of Populist Memory Politics for Europe: Towards Effective Responses to Militant Legislation on the Past (MEMOCRACY). The position is available for two years, starting from October 1, 2022.

Our research
Our project explores the recent proliferation of memory laws in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) against the conceptual template of militant democracy. We work at the intersection of International and Constitutional Law, International Relations and Memory Studies. Our goal is to offer a novel framework for understanding the memory wars and laws in the CEE region, in order to contribute to current public debates about the future of liberal democracy and the frames of democratic memory governance in the transnational European space. The research consortium will conduct in-depth case studies of the memory laws and policies of Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Russia over the past decade, analyzing their compatibility with the democratic standards as stipulated by the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE). For more information on the project and the research consortium, see the Volkswagen Stiftung Project Portal .

Job Description
We seek an enthusiastic postdoctoral scholar with a strong background in International Relations, International History, Memory Studies and/or International Law. You will be based in Dr. Maria Mälksoo’s research group and your work will involve comparative study of memory laws and politics in Latvia and Lithuania, and of the democratic standards in the EU and the CoE. You will contribute to delivering a summary report on the three Baltic cases in collaboration with the PI of the UCPH team. You will disseminate your research results via conferences and publishing in academic journals; co-organise thematic workshops and the project website. The research will be conducted in an international, diverse research environment, involving collaborators of distinct disciplinary backgrounds in Germany, Netherlands and Poland.

Profile
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated postdoctoral scholar with the following competencies:

• A PhD in International Relations, International History or International Law and previous experience in interdisciplinary research.
• An excellent scholarly track record, including publication(s) in high quality, peer-reviewed international journals.
• Excellent command of English.
• Proficient communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Experience in scholarly event management.

Strategy of the Faculty of the Social Sciences
The Department of Political Scienceis part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty 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 our 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 research findings with impact.

For more on the Faculty strategy, see: https://socialsciences.ku.dk/faculty/strategy
You can read the Department’s strategy here https://politicalscience.ku.dk/about/strategy-plan/

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
Additional information about the position can be obtained from Maria Mälksoo, e-mail: [email protected] , phone +45 35331157

Information about the recruitment process is available from HR Salma Schou, e-mail: [email protected] , please refer to ID number: 211-0917/21-2I

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Cover letter (max. 2 pages).

2. CV, incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.

3. A certified/signed copy of PhD certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor must be attached as well.

4. List of publications.

Application deadline: February 1, 2022, 23.59 pm CET.

Applications or enclosures received thereafter 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.