Two PhD Fellowships in Critical Data Studies at the Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen is offering two PhD fellowships in the interdisciplinary field of critical data studies, science and technology studies (STS). These positions are part of a larger project funded by the European Research Council (ERC) focused on cross-border data infrastructures and their impact on everyday healthcare. The positions are expected to commence on April 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the Research Group:
The positions are based at the Center for Medical Science and Technology Studies (MeST), a research center with approximately 35 researchers specializing in STS and medical humanities. It is situated in the Section for Health Services Research, which emphasizes the implications of research on the healthcare system. MeST offers a stimulating and cross-disciplinary environment for understanding the social dynamics of research and clinical practice, utilizing a diverse range of research methods.

These PhD fellowships are part of a larger project called “DataSpace,” which is led by Professor Klaus Hoeyer. DataSpace aims to redefine how the pursuit of health is shaped by data in a world where healthcare is increasingly data-driven. Various stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, administrators, policymakers, and the industry, want to exchange and access health data across national borders. Initiatives for cross-border data integration are proliferating, and the European Union (EU) is investing heavily in projects such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS). These significant investments will influence healthcare, administration, and research, but the full extent of their impact is not yet understood.

• Bolivia Embraces Yuan in Cross-Border Trade, Challenges U.S. Dollar Hegemony
• Edo State Roads in Crisis: Governor Obaseki’s Stranded Encounter Exposes Critical Infrastructure Issues
• INEC Trains Officers Ahead of Imo Guber Election
• Politics Without Governance: A Bleak Reality in Nigeria
• PhD Fellowship in Philosophy of Science

The Positions:

1. Position: Patient Journeys and Data Journeys Across European Borders

• This PhD position focuses on the establishment of publicly initiated cross-border data infrastructures, particularly the European Health Data Space (EHDS). It specifically explores how patients travel with and without their data, how they experience and raise concerns about data exchanges, and how interactions with healthcare services unfold. The research emphasizes the dimension of experience associated with the sense of presence and phenomenology.

Candidate Profile:

• A researcher with a master’s degree in relevant disciplines like STS, sociology, anthropology, public health, or related fields. (Master’s degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree is required.)
• Experience with qualitative research methods.
• Interest in and sensitivity towards phenomenological aspects of human interaction.
• Independent and dedicated to research.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.

2. Position: The Making of Data Infrastructures in and Beyond the EU

• This PhD position delves into the establishment of cross-border data infrastructures for sharing health data. It examines public, non-profit organizations, and commercial companies for whom health data is a primary asset. The position also includes a focus on valuations (economic, emotional, and social) and how these valuations shape the commitments of these organizations and the people whose data they use. This research foregrounds the dimension of experience associated with valuations.

• PhD Fellowship in Biophysics – University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Rivers State Government Sacks 1,700 University Staff over Employment Irregularities
• PhD Position: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Eco-Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
• Enugu Govt refutes ESUT student deaths, orders thorough probe

Candidate Profile:

• A researcher with a master’s degree in relevant disciplines like STS, sociology, anthropology, public health, or related fields. (Master’s degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree is required.)
• Experience with qualitative research methods and online ethnography.
• Interest in how humans make valuations.
• Independent and dedicated to research.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.

Job Description:
PhD students are expected to carry out the following tasks:

• Conduct an independent research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses or equivalent education (approximately 30 ECTS points).
• Participate in active research environments, including collaboration with other research teams.
• Gain experience in teaching or other knowledge dissemination related to the PhD project.
• Write a PhD thesis based on the research project.

Key Criteria for Assessment of Applicants:
Applicants should have qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree relevant to the project. Other important criteria include:

• Grade point average.
• Professional qualifications related to the PhD project.
• Previous publications.
• Relevant work experience.
• Other professional activities.
• A curious mindset.
• Language skills.

Place of Employment:
The positions are located at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, offering a dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of Employment:

• The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
• These positions are fixed-term and limited to a period of three years. The start date is April 1, 2024, or as agreed upon.
• Employment is contingent upon the applicant’s successful enrollment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Salary:
Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Monthly salary starts at approximately DKK 28,990/€3,887 (October 2023 level) plus pension, depending on seniority.

Questions:
For specific information about the PhD fellowships, please contact the principal supervisor, Professor Klaus Hoeyer, at klho@sund.ku.dk.

Application Procedure:
Applications should be submitted electronically through the application portal and must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. A motivated letter of application (max two pages).
2. CV including education, experience, language skills, and other relevant skills.
3. Certified copy of the original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other than English or Danish.
4. Publication list (if relevant).

Application Deadline:
December 17, 2023, at 23:59 CET.

Further Process:
After the application deadline, authorized recruitment managers will select applicants for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Applicants will be notified whether their application has passed for assessment. Once the assessment is complete, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on their assessment. The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Application Link:
Apply Here

University of Copenhagen’s Commitment:
The University of Copenhagen promotes diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their personal background.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: December 17, 2023
• Employment Start: April 1, 2024, or as agreed upon
• Working Hours: Full-time
• Department/Location: The Department of Public Health