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PhD Fellowship in Health Care Economics, Circular Economy and Sustainable Public Procurement Roskilde University in Denmark
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
The position is a full-time, three-year PhD fellowship employment at 37 hours per week. Salary is provided according to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the university job structure for academic staff. No specific salary amount or separate stipend details are stated.
Deadline
Nov 5, 2026
Country
Denmark
University
Roskilde University
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About this position
Roskilde University is seeking a PhD fellow for ROUNDS: Rethinking the cost of care – including the cost of externalities in circular transitions, an interdisciplinary project examining how healthcare systems can account for hidden health and environmental costs in procurement decisions.
The PhD project focuses on the economics of the healthcare sector and circular public procurement. Danish hospitals rely heavily on single-use plastics and textiles, including PFAS-containing surgical gowns and PVC-based infusion sets. Conventional procurement based primarily on unit price can make safer, reusable or more circular alternatives appear more expensive because negative externalities are not fully reflected in purchasing decisions.
The doctoral researcher will develop applicable scientific knowledge on how health and environmental externalities can be identified, valued and incorporated into public procurement. Using environmental and ecological economics, multi-criteria evaluation and mixed methods, the project will investigate current procurement practices, develop a valuation methodology beyond single monetary metrics, engage procurement and finance departments as well as suppliers, and apply and pilot-test a procurement framework in two healthcare product cases.
The researcher will work with regional procurement teams to assess the transition from single-use PFAS surgical gowns to reusable alternatives and the substitution or reduction of PVC-based single-use infusion sets. The project combines economic assessment, stakeholder and market dialogue, health and environmental considerations, and practical testing in real-world healthcare settings.
The fellow will be part of the International Section at the Department of Social Sciences and Business, with additional integration into the Department of Science and Environment. The position is connected to the STEPUP research group and the Plastics research team, and forms part of a partnership involving Roskilde University, Gate21, the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and Danish regional partners. The doctoral environment includes an international Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business, interdisciplinary collaboration, seminars and professional development activities.
Funding details
The position is a full-time, three-year PhD fellowship employment at 37 hours per week. Salary is provided according to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the university job structure for academic staff. No specific salary amount or separate stipend details are stated.
What's required
Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in economics or a relevant field such as environmental and sustainability sciences. Required qualifications include strong analytical skills and research potential; excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with Danish as an asset; advanced quantitative and qualitative or mixed-method skills; experience conducting surveys and qualitative interviews; and the ability to work in a larger interdisciplinary project team. Knowledge of plastics from education or work experience is an asset. Applicants should also be enterprising, communicative, visibly engaged in departmental activities, and willing to collaborate across disciplines. The application must include a project description of no more than five pages, addressing the four main project activities, together with a project time schedule.
How to apply
Apply in English through Roskilde University's job portal at https://ruc.dk/en/job/. Submit a cover letter, CV, education and master's grades documentation, a PhD project description of no more than five pages, a project schedule, and any relevant research or work experience or publication documentation by 5 November 2026.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.