Postdoc in Organisation Studies on Behavioural Design in Public Service Work Copenhagen Business School in Denmark

Copenhagen Business School is advertising a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Organisation Studies focused on behavioural design in public service work. The position is part of the DFF2-funded BEHAVE project, which examines how behavioural design (including nudging) travels into public organizations and reshapes everyday practice, expertise, roles, discretion, and organizational responsibilities.

The project is especially interested in how behavioural design becomes a management technology in the public sector and what happens when it is used to organize work from within. Possible research directions include behavioural design in specific public-sector fields such as social services, education, taxation, or municipal administration; comparisons across public-sector contexts; the role of consultants and behavioural design firms; how behavioural design travels across policy, management, and frontline practice; and how it relates to other design trends such as design thinking, co-design, and participatory approaches.

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in qualitative, exploratory research and a background in organization studies, sociology, anthropology, public administration, science and technology studies, or a related field. The position expects familiarity with methods such as organizational ethnography, interviewing, shadowing, or document analysis. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent, demonstrate research potential, and be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

English proficiency is required. Because the project is grounded in Danish public organizations, Danish or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. The post is based at the Department of Organization, Copenhagen Business School, in a collaborative and internationally oriented research environment with teaching obligations corresponding to one year of full-time work over the three-year appointment.

The application deadline is 2026-09-21. Applications must be submitted through the electronic recruitment system and include a research agenda (max 5 pages) linked to BEHAVE, a summary of strengths and abilities, a numbered publication list with up to five publications marked for review, copies of those publications, documentation of research management/industry/international cooperation, evidence of original international research, transcripts, and a full CV. Interested candidates may request the full project description before applying.