PhD Scholarship at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen (UCPH): Citizens’ Agenda-Setting in Democratic Systems (CASDS)

We hereby invite applications for a PhD scholarship at the Department of Political Science. The successful candidate will work on the project “Citizens’ Agenda-Setting in Democratic Systems,” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, alongside Assistant Professor Alice el-Wakil (PI) and Professor Christian F. Rostbøll (co-investigator). The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The puzzle at the heart of the project “Citizens’ Agenda-Setting in Democratic Systems” is this: while democratic theorists agree that ordinary citizens should be involved in agenda-setting (the crucial step in policy-making processes that determines which issues and solutions receive political attention), we lack a normative framework to understand what this abstract principle requires in terms of political practice and how it should be institutionalized. The CASDS project aims at contributing to democratic theory by developing conceptual and normative resources to think of citizens as “input-providers.” It does so by approaching the question of what role citizens should play in democratic agenda-setting both from within the normative debates in democratic theory and, more inductively, from existing institutional practice. The selected candidate will work with other team members to develop and conceptually and normatively analyze a systematic overview of traditional and innovative political practices and institutions that involve citizens’ agenda-setting.

The selected candidate will write their PhD dissertation in political theory, on the overall topic of practices and institutions central to citizens’ agenda-setting processes, including, but not limited to, what makes them (more or less) democratically legitimate. Funding is available for conference and summer school attendance, as well as research visits, such that the candidate can develop their international network and research expertise.

The starting date for the position is 1 November 2025, or as soon as possible afterwards.

Duties and Qualifications
The chosen candidate will be responsible for:

• Writing a PhD dissertation;
• Developing the systematic overview of practices and institutions of citizens’ agenda-setting with the PI;
• Co-authoring one publication with the PI;
• Participating in workshops, conferences, and other scholarly activities;
• Teaching.

We are seeking to recruit a candidate with the following qualifications:

• A background in political theory (e.g., a master’s degree in political science or practical/political philosophy) (required);
• A demonstrated aptitude for and strong interest in conducting research in normative political theory (required);
• A demonstrated aptitude for research (required);
• Proven skills in academic writing (required);
• A willingness to take on independent responsibilities and work collaboratively as part of a team (required);
• An interest in democratic practice and in connecting political theory and political science (desired);
• A commitment to contribute to the academic community at the Political Theory Working Group and at the Department of Political Science (required).

The PhD Program
The PhD program provides PhD students with strong research training, which creates opportunities for a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The program includes support and feedback in developing the PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD program can be undertaken as a three-year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study program.  

Under "Legal basis" on the website you will find information about the rules and guidelines for the PhD program and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD program at the Universities. 

Information about the PhD study program is also available on the PhD website of the Department of Political Science: The PhD programme – Department of Political Science - University of Copenhagen.

Applications 

• The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society, and invites all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the positions.  
• In order to be awarded a PhD scholarship the applicant has to enroll as a PhD student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial order No 1039 of 27 August 2013.  

Scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study program
The 5+3 PhD study program
In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study program, the applicant must have completed a two-year MSc or MA degree program or have earned 120 ECTS credits at an equivalent academic level before starting her or his employment. Applicants should check the study programs for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3-year period without additional pay. The work obligation can, for instance, include teaching.  

How to apply
Submit a complete application on 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.

• Cover Letter (detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project). The cover letter must include a brief description of the PhD project proposal;
• CV;
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc/BA and MSc/MA);
• A writing sample (e.g., a seminar paper);
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications, documentation of English language qualifications (if any). 

Application process
You will find information about the application process, as well as the documents and transcripts to upload with your electronic application, on the website of the Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences: PhD at the Faculty of Social Sciences – University of Copenhagen.

The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen.

Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the assessment committee. Each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant themselves.

The Department of Political Science
The Department is a top-ranked European Political Science department, which offers a vibrant, collegial, and pluralist academic working environment for ambitious scholars.

The pluralism of Political Science in Copenhagen is evidenced in the various epistemological and methodological approaches as well as subfields adopted by faculty, and in a wide range of core subjects in the MSc programme. 

The Department consists of some 75 faculty members, which currently includes more than 10 tenure-track assistant professors, as well as some 25 PhD students, organized in four main research groups and a few centres. For more on the Department, please consult our webpage: The Department of Political Science – University of Copenhagen.

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 HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen.

The Department of Political Science has a Code of Conduct expressing our continuous commitment to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, professional and respectful culture at the Department for Political Science, please see Code of Conduct – Department of Political Science - University of Copenhagen.

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: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen.

Contact information
For information about the position, please contact Assistant Professor Alice el-Wakil, e-mail: alice.el-wakil@ifs.ku.dk.

For information about the Political Science PhD Program at the University of Copenhagen, please contact Head of PhD Program, Professor Anders Wivel, e-mail: aw@ifs.ku.dk.

Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: hr-sondre@adm.ku.dk. Please refer to ID number: 211-2143/25-2H #2.

The closing date for applications is 3 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Applications or material received after the deadline will not be taken into account.