PhD fellowship in Research Integrity

PhD project on non-financial conflicts of interests in research

Department of Food and Resource Economics

Faculty of Science

University of Copenhagen

Overview

The Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in research integrity. The starting date is 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project

This PhD projects concerns non‑financial conflicts of interest in research and whether these should be declared (and how). Strongly held theoretical, ethical, political, or religious views can bias researchers in ways similar to financial ties to external organisations. While financial conflicts are routinely declared, the policy for non‑financial conflicts has only recently been defined. The Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity states that "Responsible conduct of research includes disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. This allows financial or other interests to be assessed on an informed basis to evaluate potential bias of the researcher’s professional judgement".

The fellowship will explore open questions about the declaration of non‑financial conflicts of interest using social science methods. Potential research questions include:

How do readers of scientific papers interpret declarations of non‑financial conflicts?

How does the perceived usefulness of a declaration depend on the status of the sender (scientist, discipline, university, journal)?

Are there specific formats that are particularly effective for disclosing such conflicts?

Applicants are encouraged to submit a brief (maximum 3 pages) non‑binding research proposal to illustrate their general interest and ability to formulate a research idea. The final research topic and methods will be determined in dialogue with the supervisors.

Who We Are Looking For

Master’s degree candidates in sociology, anthropology, philosophy or related fields. Applicants should have documented training and experience using social science methods (qualitative and/or quantitative). Knowledge of research integrity theory and philosophy of science is preferable.

What We Offer

IFRO provides creative and stimulating working conditions within a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment. The candidate will be part of the Section for Consumption, Bioethics and Governance, which includes research groups in research integrity, applied ethics, sociology and economics. We are located at Frederiksberg in Copenhagen.

Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Mads P. Goddiksen ([email protected]).

Qualifications Needed for the Programme

Applicants must have completed a degree programme equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) in a relevant subject area such as sociology, anthropology or philosophy. Please consult General assessments for specific countries and the Assessment database for eligibility of completed programmes.

Terms of Employment

Employment as a PhD fellow is full time and for a maximum of 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the project formulating by the applicant.

The appointment and remuneration accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State, as outlined in the Protocol on Job Structure.

Physical presence at IFRO is considered a natural part of the employee role. IFRO offers flexibility and the possibility of working from home, but regular physical presence is expected.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Carry through an independent research project under supervision.

Complete PhD courses corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS / ½ FTE.

Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad.

Engage in teaching and knowledge dissemination activities.

Write scientific papers aimed at high‑impact journals.

Write and defend a PhD thesis based on the project.

Desired Qualifications

Competence in social science methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys).

Knowledge of research integrity and/or philosophy of science.

Relevant publications.

Relevant work experience.

Other relevant professional activities.

Curious mindset with a strong interest in research integrity.

Good language and communication skills.

Application and Assessment Procedure

All applications and attachments must be in English and submitted electronically.

Application Contents

Motivated letter of application (maximum one page).

Project proposal (maximum three pages).

Curriculum vitae detailing education, experience, language skills and other relevant skills.

Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, along with an authorised English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified copy of a recent transcript or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

Publication list (if relevant).

Reference letters (if available).

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is 16 August 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet the stated requirements.

Further Process

After the deadline, selected applicants will undergo academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. Applicants will be notified whether they are passed for assessment. The assessor will evaluate the qualifications and experience of shortlisted applicants against the research area, techniques, skills and other requirements, and decide on the suitability for one of the two models. Shortlisted applicants may comment on their assessment. Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 42/43.

Applicants must be prepared for further security screening related to international research collaborations as part of the recruitment process when appropriate.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General Information on PhD Study

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Science is available at https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

#J-18808-Ljbffr