PhD scholarship available in a clinical research project at Copenhagen University Clinic for Psychedelic Research, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
Applications are invited for a full-time 3-year PhD scholarship at the Department of Psychology. Enrolment will be at the Faculty of Social Sciences under Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences. The position starting date is 1 September 2025.
About the project Psilocybin therapy for psychological distress in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Patient and caregiver perspectives
The project is a qualitative study alongside a large multi-site, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) supported by the EU commission (the PsyPal study) to explore the lived experiences and perspectives of patients and their caregivers.
The primary goal is to enhance our understanding of what constitutes optimal care in the context of psilocybin therapy, using interview and recorded treatment session data aiming: (1) to increase our understanding of psilocybin therapy by exploring subjective therapeutic mechanisms, therapeutic processes, and the impact on patients and caregivers; (2) to better understand, interpret, and explore optimal ways of addressing difficult experiences or barriers from the perspectives of patients and caregivers; and (3) to assess patients’ needs especially those concerning their potential need for continued support beyond the clinical treatment.
As a PhD candidate on the project your tasks will be project coordination, including responsibility for collection of patient and caregiver interviews, data analyses and publication of study results in scientific papers. Other ad hoc tasks will be coordinated during the PhD period. In particular, you will be expected to take on the role of coordinating therapist and assist psilocybin dosing sessions in the PsyPal study or in other projects, and act as blinded rater in the studies conducted at NOESIS.
Within this PhD position you will gain extensive experience with project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, recruitment of research participants, practical execution of psychedelic treatments, data analyses as well as presentation and publication of scientific papers.
The project is led by:
Associate Professor and Psychologist Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, head of Copenhagen University Clinic for Psychedelic Research, Department of Psychology (NOESIS), University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
In collaboration with:
Associate Professor and Medical Anthropologist Margit Petersen, Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Copenhagen University Clinic for Psychedelic Research (NOESIS):
NOESIS is a research clinic at the Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, that investigates psychological and psychiatric aspects of psychedelic therapy, primarily using the psychedelic drug psilocybin. The clinic houses a number of clinical studies and collaborates closely with both national and international psychedelic research groups.
The successful candidate will be affiliated with NOESIS, and it is vital that the candidate has the capacity for and interest in developing ongoing and future research projects at NOESIS – with a particular focus on psychological aspects of these treatments.
Qualifications
For the position, the candidate must hold a master’s degree in Psychology (preferably Cand.psych) with excellent collaborative skills. Earlier involvement in psychedelic research will be an advantage, in particular experience with assisting psilocybin dosing sessions is required.
The candidate must be fluent in Danish as conducting psychedelic sessions with Danish research participants is part of the tasks associated with the position.
Introduction
The PhD programme provides PhD students with strong research training which opens up a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The programme includes the drafting of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD programme can be undertaken as a three-year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study programme.
Duties and Responsibilities
Further information about the PhD study programme is available on the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences:
PhD at the Faculty of Social Sciences – University of Copenhagen
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.
Information about the PhD study programme is also available on the PhD website of the Department of Psychology:
Department of Psychology – Department of Psychology - University of Copenhagen
Applicants should familiarise themselves with the research strategy and the ongoing research at the Department before submitting their application.
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 enrol 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 programme
The 5+3 PhD study programme
In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study programme you must have qualifications corresponding to master’s level related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Psychology. If you have completed your education in Denmark, you must have a master’s degree covered by the collective agreement for academics in the state sector. If you have completed your education outside of Denmark, you must either have a master’s degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years) or as minimum a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor’s degree (three years) and be assessed as having professional qualifications at master's level.
If you have completed your education outside of Denmark, we will obtain an assessment of your education from the Danish Research Agency.
Applicants should check the study programmes 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 include for instance teaching.
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.
- Motivated application
- Curriculum vitae
- Diploma and transcripts of records (both Bachelor and Master)
- List of potential publications or disseminations (poster etc.)
Please note that it is only possible to upload one document per attachment category. If more than one document has to be uploaded in the same category, please make sure that they are scanned and collected into one file.
Application process
On the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences, you will find information about the application process, and enclosures to include with your electronic application:
Admission requirements and application procedures – 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
The following criteria are used when shortlisting candidates for assessment:
- Research qualifications as reflected in the candidate’s application
- Qualifications and knowledge in relevant disciplines, such as psychedelics.
- Performance (grades obtained) in graduate and post-graduate studies.
Selected 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 him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process here.
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
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: www.ism.ku.dk
Contact information
Additional information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, e-mail: dea@psy.ku.dk
Information on the recruitment process can be obtained from HR, e-mail: HR-soendre@adm.ku.dk - please refer to ID number: 211-2167/25-2H #2
The closing date for applications is 12 June 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
Applications received after the deadline 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.