Postdoc position(s) at The Digital Democracy Centre

The Digital Democracy Centre (DDC) at the University of Southern Denmark Odense invites applications for one or more full-time Postdoc positions as part of the interdisciplinary research project AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity (AINATA).

The AINATA project explores how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts trust and authenticity in the news ecosystem. It investigates how AI affects both news production and consumption and assesses the adequacy of existing legal frameworks in addressing these transformations.

Read more about the projectHERE.

Employment can be from June 2026 or later in 2026 by agreement and will have a duration of up to three years. The place of employment will be in Odense.

Research profiles and tasks

We are looking for different candidates with a background in either communication journalism political science sociology law economics or computational social science as well as an interest in how AI transforms the media and information ecosystem. The Postdoc(s) will be embedded in an interdisciplinary project team and collaborate closely with other scholars at the Centre

Specifically we are looking for candidates interested in one of the following research profiles. Applicants should indicate in their application which profile (1-4) they wish to be considered for.

Profile 1: Communication Science / Political Science / Economics

Research includes platform experiments testing how citizens interact with AI-generated news content and effectiveness of transparency measures

Profile 2: Communication Science / Media Effects / Sociology

Research includes surveys on citizens attitudes toward AI in news and audience research on perceptions of authenticity and trust.

Profile 3: Communication Science / Computational Social Science / Sociology

Research includes social network analyses to map the news influencer ecosystem and interviews with news influencers.

Profile 4: Law / Digital Media Regulation

Research includes analyses of EU regulatory frameworks on AI and media and evaluating transparency and accountability obligations in news and influencer contexts

Expectations and key responsibilities

The Postdoc(s) will be involved in all aspects of the research from conception execution analysis publishing and public dissemination. A solid set of field specific methods is necessary.

Candidates are expected to be willing and able to contribute to the DDC by producing original research of high international quality engage in exchange of knowledge with relevant societal actors including news media the public and policymakers be part of grant acquisition and impact activities and contribute to team building and the development of the centre.

Candidates are expected to:

• Be capable of working independently and in a team for example in data collection writing scientific articles and knowledge dissemination
• Contribute both academically and socially to the research environment at the DDC
• Be able to communicate project results in English both in writing and orally in academic contexts and to the broader public (Danish is an advantage but not required)
• Present research results at international conferences
• Possibly contribute to teaching programs (in consultation with relevant departments)
• Work and be present at the Centre in Odense

If you dont have a PhD degree yet please note that we are also recruiting PhD students with similar research interests for the project. SeeSDUs current vacanciesfor more information.

Inquiries about the project and the positions can be addressed to the Centre Director Prof. Claes Holger de Vreese ().

About the DDC

The DDC is a part of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. It is an interdisciplinary Centre with members from computer science law media studies political science business and organizations. The DDC believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both faculty members and students. The DDCs ambition is to recruit develop and retain talented scholars committed to both research education and impact. Furthermore the DDC wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

You can find further information about theDDCHERE.

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offeredDanish language trainingas part of the employment.International Staff Office (ISO)at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things the staff answers questions concerning salary taxationhousingandaccompanying family. Additional information about working in Denmark can be found atWork in Denmark.

Application and assessment process

Appointment to the position requires a PhD degree or equivalent and will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the Danish state with the associated circular on the protocol on job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for the position of postdocs as described herein.

An application must include:

• A letter stating your specific interest motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages)
• Detailed CV including personal contact information anddate entries
• Copies of certificates and diplomas (BSc MSc and PhD degrees)
• The names and complete contact details (including phone numbers and email addresses) of at least two references
• A complete list of publications indicating which publications are most relevant for the position
• Up to 3 of the most relevant publications or unpublished chapters of the PhD thesis.
  NOTE: If publications have been co-authored co-author statements must be included and contain information like in this statement is just for your inspiration
• A teaching portfolio as documentation for teaching experience and if relevant supervision qualifications. Formal application instructions and guide for teaching portfolio may be foundHERE.

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) in this case the CPR number must be crossed out.

Applications that are incomplete may be rejected without any substantive evaluation.

Assessment of applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for will be assessed by an academic assessment committee that determines whether applicants are qualified to be a postdoctoral fellow. The committee may request additional information and if so it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material. The committee reserves the right to arrive at a decision solely based on the material submitted.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

When the assessment committee has submitted its report the applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of Department who will assemble an appointment committee. The appointment committee will manage and complete a series of job interviews with especially promising applicants. On the basis of the applications the written assessments the job interviews and a deliberation within the appointment committee the head of department determines which candidate(s) will be offered the position.

We recommend reading How to apply for a position at SDU before applying.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link Apply now.

Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked).The application and CV must each not exceed 10 MB in file size.

Application deadline: February 15th 2026 23:59 CET/CEST.