2 PhD positions (100%, 3 years each) in psychology, with a focus on dis/honesty

Updated: over 1 year ago
Deadline: 19 Sep 2022

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites candidates for two PhD positions (100%, 3 years each). Supported by the Velux Foundation, the chosen candidates will primarily work in a project related to dis/honesty, together with one (to be hired) Postdoc and Séamus A. Power and Ingo Zettler as PIs.

The positions are for 36 months each. The preferred starting date is asap in 2023 (or earlier, if requested), but any time until September 2023 is, in principle, feasible. We thus explicitly encourage interested students to apply if they plan to finish their studies in this period.

Duties and Responsibilities
The chosen candidates will be part of a project investigating dis/honesty from different perspectives and in different domains (including brutal honesty, close/intimate relationships, and from a cultural perspective). The project will comprise studies using various methods, both qualitative and quantitative. The chosen candidates will contribute to the project with their expertise, interests, and skills. The chosen candidates are expected to publish scientific articles as well as to present at international conferences. In general, the positions are highly research-focused, and funding is available for conducting studies, research visits, PhD courses, or the like. In addition, the chosen candidates will be asked to fulfill other work obligations (typically, teaching or supervising) to a small degree in the overall time period.

Your Competencies and Opportunities
Applicants should have pursued a degree in Psychology or a related field. It is desired that applicants have already gained experiences in min. one of the following research areas: close (or intimate) relationships, cultural research, dis/honesty. It is desired that applicants have strong qualitative (especially in terms of interview studies) and/or quantitative methodological skills. Most likely, one chosen candidate will be strong in qualitative, and one will be strong in quantitative methods (or candidates are strong in mixed-methods). It is not a requirement to understand or speak Danish.

Terms of Employment

  • In order to be awarded a PhD scholarship the chosen candidates have to enroll as PhD students at the Faculty of Social Sciences, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial order No 1039 of 27 August 2013. Most likely, the applicants will be enrolled in the PhD program at the Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen. 
  • The exact salary depends on several factors (e.g., chosen pension scheme), but can be expected to be around 21,500 DKK net/month.
  • 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.    

The recruitment process
Shortlisted applicants are notified of the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant themselves. Further information on these 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/

Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: [email protected], please refer to ID number: 211-1174/22-2H.

Additional information about the position can be obtained from Séamus A. Power ([email protected] ) or Professor Ingo Zettler ([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:

  • Cover/Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Diplomas and transcripts of grades
  • Bachelor and Master theses (if applicable)
  • Contact information from 2 potential referees

The closing date for applications is 23:59 CEST on 19 September 2022.

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.



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