Postdocs positions in Network Science, AI, and Science of Science – SODAS, University of Copenhagen

The research group led by Professor Roberta Sinatra at the Center for Social Data Science at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is seeking highly motivated individuals for multiple Postdoc positions starting in June 2025. A slightly earlier or later start date may be accommodated. These positions are one or two years in length, depending on expertise and project. Extensions for up to two additional years upon mutual agreement are possible. The employment is a full-time position, 37 hours per week.

The postdocs will explore topics at the intersection of the Science of Science, AI, fairness, computational social science, and network science. These positions are part of an ERC Consolidator project and two Villum Foundation projects. We prioritize technically proficient researchers eager to pursue new, bold questions with data. We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Applied NLP
• Network Science expertise
• Modelling of dynamical systems
• Science of Science

Details on the currently funded projects for the postdocs are available here and here.

Our Research Group:

Our team undertakes quantitative projects that blend computational social science, data science, and network science. This includes research on the science of science, social dynamics, AI’s social impact, algorithmic fairness, and fundamental questions in complex systems. The group is hosted at the Center for Social Data Science (SODAS) at UCPH and is embedded in a larger network of scientists in the greater Copenhagen area, including the NERDS group at ITU, the Social Complexity Lab at the Technical University of Denmark, and the Pioneer center for AI (P1).  

Qualifications:

The ideal applicant will:

• Have a PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Data Science, Computational Social Science, Complex Systems, Applied Mathematics, or closely related discipline,
• Possess excellent programming skills, particularly in Python or similar language,
• Be experienced in handling large-scale datasets,
• Have a strong record of publications in the areas of network science, data science, science of science, AI, or computational social science,
• Be able to work in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments,
• Demonstrate strong communication skills (in English),
• Be active in the scientific community,
• (preferably but not required) Have teaching and/or supervision experience.

Responsibilities and opportunities

The successful applicants will:

• Contribute to potentially ground-breaking research with important ethical and societal implications in a truly interdisciplinary environment, funded by the Villum Foundation and the European Research Council,
• Co-author scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals, participate in international conferences, and collaborate with international teams,
• Contribute to teaching and supervising within the Master’s in Social Data Science program at UCPH.

We offer:

We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. The appointed postdocs will be employed at SODAS, home to about 40 researchers across different levels and fields. SODAS is an interdisciplinary research, teaching, and impact center, combining traditional social science theories and methods with novel data science methods and paradigms. The working language at SODAS is English. Both salary and working conditions are excellent.

The postdocs are also offered the opportunity to have visiting affiliations at the Pioneer center for AI and at the NERDS group, ITU. The group is a down-to-earth and fun place to be. The NERDS group, where Roberta Sinatra’s group was based until 2022, has won a prize for the best research environment in Denmark in 2022.  Most group members live in Copenhagen which is often named as the best city in the world to live in, and for good reasons. It's world-renowned for food, beer, art, music, architecture, the Scandinavian “hygge”, and much more. In Denmark, parental leave is generous, and child-care is excellent and cheap.

Employment:

• Terms of appointment and salary are in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Overenskomst for akademikere i staten).
• The salary range starts at DKK 38,575 per month + a 17.1 % contribution to the pension scheme.
• Further information on qualification requirements as postdoc can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2019 here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/dokumenter/Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf

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/

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. 

Please include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position; 
• A CV with a publication list; 
• Two published papers or equivalent writing samples that best demonstrate your expertise and fit for the position; 
• Academic diplomas
• A research statement (up to 3 pages) outlining your research achievements and agenda, as well as your service and outreach activities (Optional); 
• Link to a professional webpage and/or Google Scholar page (if applicable). 

The closing date for applications is 1 April 23:59 CET

Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.

Further Information

Further information can be obtained by writing to robertasinatra@sodas.ku.dk. Please use subject line: Information on Postdoc call 2025.

For information about the recruitment process please contact HR, e-mail: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-2110/25-2I

SODAS website:  https://sodas.ku.dk/

NERDS website: https://nerds.itu.dk/

Head of the group website: https://www.robertasinatra.com/