Postdoc in medical anthropology/STS

The Department of Clinical Medicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of medical anthropology/ STS as per 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 30 months.

As a Postdoc at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As a Postdoc, you will be working as part of the BRIGHT group at the Interacting Minds Centre . You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here .

As a Postdoc, you will contribute to an innovative interdisciplinary research project titled

This project investigates the ethical and societal impacts of transitioning from animal to human-based biomedical research models, focusing on chronic kidney disease.

Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted in international research laboratories, we aim to incorporate ethical considerations into the development of non-animal models by examining the dilemmas and uncertainties inherent in these experimental practices.
Ethnographic research will be conducted in three international laboratories, focusing on how humans are repositioned within laboratory practices, the uncertainties encountered in this work, and the ethical and societal implications of human-derived models. Understanding and acceptance by society are crucial for the successful implementation of human tissue-based models in future treatment paradigms. Accordingly, we will conduct interviews with tissue donors and patients suffering from fibrotic diseases to gain insights into their perspectives and thoughts on treatment futures that rely on human models. Furthermore, the project collaborates with the Science Museums Aarhus University to create educational workshops for secondary and high school students, who represent the potential donors of the future.

As part of the research group, working with PI, Professor Mette Terp Høybye, you will be expected to conduct ethnographic fieldwork in laboratory settings and conduct relevant interviews with researchers, patients and tissue donors.

As Postdoc at the Interacting Minds Centre your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Ethnographic fieldwork in international research laboratories and groups in Denmark and abroad.
• Collaborative data analysis with PI and research group.
• Contribution to research methodology and theory development in laboratory studies on human material.
• Co-development of educational workshop for secondary- and high-school students with the Science Museums, Aarhus University.
• Contribution to the interdisciplinary research environment of the BRIGHT research group and the Interacting Minds Centre through active participation in academic events and dissemination activities.
• Contribution to the continued development of social sciences and humanities as an area of research at Health, AU, through own research contributions and networking in collaboration with researchers nationally and internationally.

You will report to Professor Mette Terp Høybye.

You have academic qualifications at PhD-level in fields such as anthropology, science and technology studies, sociology, or related disciplines. You have conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork, preferably even within laboratory or science settings. Although not mandatory, having prior experience with visual or other creative methods will be advantageous for this role.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. You are excited about working in interdisciplinary research environments. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. While not required, proficiency in Danish and/or Dutch will be an advantage.

When submitting your application, please include 2-3 paragraphs in your motivational application/cover letter discussing the ideas and approaches you will contribute to this project, drawing from your experience, which you believe will be beneficial to apply and enhance throughout this project.

To be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria .

Shortlisting will be used.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Mette Terp Høybye tel.: (+45) 61106066.

Your place of work will be the Department of Clinical Medicine, Interacting Minds Centre, Jens Chr.Skousvej 4, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in week 25 with selected candidates (pending the scientific evaluation of candidates). In preparation for the interview, you will be asked to prepare a presentation of your ideas. Specific details will follow, along with a potential invitation for interviews.

A potential second interview could be held with selected candidates.