Job Description

Post Doctoral Position in Alcohol Research

The Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, invites applications for a position as postdoc within the research areas of at-risk alcohol use, older adults, clinical psychology, psychometrics, and epidemiology.

The Department of Psychology is a vibrant, inclusive workplace hosting an engaged group of faculty, postdocs and PhD students. The department has close collaborations with the Odense University Hospital, and its research covers a wide range of health-related topics and methodologies.

The position and the project

The postdoc position is for 31 months, starting on November 1st, 2026 or soon thereafter. The focus of the position is on the psychometric evaluation of assessment instruments for at-risk alcohol use in adults aged 60-80 years and on a longitudinal epidemiological study of risk and protective factors within psychological models of the etiology of addiction in said age group.

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a strong track record in peer-reviewed publications as well as in quantitative analysis within either psychometrics and/or epidemiology. The candidate should have a strong and documented interest in the areas: alcohol research, clinical psychology, quantitative methods, and assessment and etiology of at-risk alcohol use/alcohol use disorder, preferably in adults or older adults. The candidate should have documented experience with project organization.

The successful candidate will work on the project “Understanding older adults’ risky alcohol use to inform targeted preventive interventions and strategies” funded by TrygFonden, Denmark. The successful candidate will join a research group with expertise in alcohol research, clinical psychology, and epidemiology, led by Associate Professor Silke Behrendt (Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark), and Professor Kristine Rømer Thomsen (Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Aarhus University). The primary place of work will be the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Required qualifications

• PhD in clinical psychology, epidemiology, psychiatry or a connected field
• Excellent research track record, including at least three first-authored peer-reviewed publications relevant to the project and position.
• Strong analytical, writing, and organizational skills
• Willingness to collaborate with internal and external collaborators as well as support the project’s research group members
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

We offer

• An exciting job
• The possibility of engaging in high-impact research
• A dynamic, diverse and international research environment that values collaboration among colleagues
• An initial contract for 31 months, with support for seeking research funding for subsequent projects
• Advanced professional training opportunities
• Possibility of participating in international conferences
• For international candidates, support with practical, and social aspects (e.g., housing, researcher taxation etc.) through our international staff office (ISO)
  https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff
• For the right candidate, there will be possibilities to influence the project and develop new project ideas within the project frame.

Further information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Silke Behrendt sbehrendt@health.sdu.dk , phone 0045-93507195 or Professor Kristine Rømer Thomsen krt.crf@psy.au.dk

Your place of work will be at the Department of Psychology, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.

Application deadline and interviews

06/14/2026, at 23.59 hrs. (CEST).

We expect to conduct interviews on September 7th - 9th 2026.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the wage rates for staff at SDU.
• Additional supplement(s) can be negotiated depending on experience, special qualifications and performance of special functions.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Travel and moving expenses may be covered according to the employee in question and, to a limited extent, the accompanying family.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “ Apply now” - see below.

We strongly recommend that you read  How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation.

Your application must include the following as PDF files:

Please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total).

• A motivation letter including contact information for two senior academics who may be contacted for further information about your profile
• A detailed CV (including start- and end dates for each employment)
• Degree certificates (including Ph.D.-diploma)
• A complete and numbered list of publications
• Up to 3 scientific peer-reviewed publications considered by the candidate as most important for this position. Please note that a copy of each publication must be attached as a pdf file. It is permitted to merge copies of the selected publications into a single PDF file.
• A detailed description of research and project organization experience
• An explanation of other qualifications relevant to the position

Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application

Incomplete applications regarding the above-mentioned requirements will not be assessed.

Applications may be shortlisted

The University wishes our staff to reflect on the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

If you experience technical problems, you must contact  hcm-support@sdu.dk

International applicant?

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment.

The International Staff Office(ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark.

About SDU

SDU creates value for and with society and shapes the future through high quality, talented people and outstanding environments.

The University of Southern Denmark is a world-class university driven by an ambition to promote research results that develop society. The major challenges of the 21st century are complex and multifaceted; sustainable change and solutions require new – often interdisciplinary – research-based knowledge, and the University of Southern Denmark is an indispensable stakeholder in the transition process.

Value, quality, talented people and outstanding environments are pivotal for the University of Southern Denmark’s strategic initiatives.

Read more: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu

Syddansk Universitet er sat i verden for skabe værdi for og med samfundet. Uanset om vores bidrag kommer i form af fremragende forskning, innovative løsninger, uddannelse eller læring, så skal vi gøre en positiv forskel for samfundet og bidrage til en bæredygtig fremtid. Det gør vi ved at dyrke talenter og skabe de bedste miljøer for forskning og læring. Det er derfor afgørende, at SDU fastholder, udvikler og rekrutterer talenter. Samtidig skal vi sikre konstant høj kvalitet i alle vores aktiviteter – det kan vi kun med de rette mennesker. Det er universitetets forskere, undervisere, studerende, ledere og teknisk-administrative personale, der udgør fundamentet for vores succes.
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