PhD position at Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research focusing on intimate partner violence in Denmark

Ansøgningsfrist 7. sep. 23:59 CEST

Forventet start 1. feb.

• Psykologisk Institut Bartholins Allé 11 8000 Aarhus C
• Tidsbegrænset fuldtidsstilling 1. feb. 2027 - 31. jan. 2030 ID: 166231

Aarhus BSS Graduate School, Aarhus University invites applicants for a PhD Scholarship in connection with the research project ”Entangled Relations: gendered violence, intoxication and institutional responses to intimate partner violence in Denmark” at the PhD Programme Psychology and Behavioural Science at Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science. The position is available from 1 February 2027.

The research project
The PhD position offers the opportunity to take part in an engaging research environment as the position forms part of a larger research project called ‘Entangled Relations: gendered violence, intoxication and institutional responses to intimate partner violence in Denmark’ headed by Associate Professor Margit Anne Petersen and funded by the ROCKWOOL Foundation.

The overall research project investigates the relation between gender, intoxication and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Denmark through a dual perspective:

1) Individual subjective experiences of living with and handling various forms of IPV, including processes of seeking official and unofficial forms of help, reporting to the police or other authorities, or deciding not to report.
2) Institutional responses to IPV and the processes involved in handling IPV cases, including professionals’ perceptions of individuals subjected to IPV, and the situations they are in.

The PhD student will be expected to take part in joint activities and collaborative efforts connected with the overall project.

The research group
The project is based at Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research and included in the PhD position is one semester’s international research stay. The project collaborates with the organization ‘Lev Uden Vold’ as well as an international advisory board which will be assembled once the project begins.

Job description
The PhD project is part of a work-package on the subjective experiences with intimate partner violence and contact with authorities and organisations. The PhD project must use qualitative methods and focus specifically on the reporting and non-reporting of IPV to the police. While the PhD project is to be carried out as part of the overall research project, the PhD student´s exact role in the project will depend on the chosen candidate and his / her own PhD project description. Hence, you must write a project description on how you would carry out the research within the frames of the overall project.

Your qualifications:
The data collection is to take place in Denmark, so the PhD student must be fluent in Danish. We are looking for a candidate with a social science background (relevant Master in sociology, criminology, anthropology or related fields). Experience with qualitative methods is required and related research experience or knowledge is an advantage but not required.

Who we are
At the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research we carry out social-science research in the alcohol and drug field. Our research projects concern treatment, prevention, policy and recreational consumption. We conduct research in both legal and illegal drugs. The Centre is interdisciplinary and the employees are based on, among other things, anthropology, psychology, sociology, law and public health. Our task is to establish and conduct research projects, teach, communicate knowledge about alcohol and drug use, and collaboration with national players in the area as well as international research institutions. You can read more about the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research here .

The Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences is part of Aarhus BSS , Aarhus University – a top 100 university. Aarhus BSS has achieved the triple-crown AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditations.

At the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, we teach and conduct research into the most significant subject areas of psychology. The department employs around 55-60 academic staff members and 40 PhD students. Our researchers have a strong tradition for collaborating with Danish as well as international researchers from many different academic fields such as health and psychiatry, education, pedagogic, linguistics, philosophy, religious studies, organizational development and management, economics and neuroscience.

For more information about the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, please visit:

Further information
For further information about the position, please contact associate professor Margit Anne Petersen, e-mail: e-mail

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR coordinator Charlotte Thomsen, Tel.: Se telefonnummer på studerendeonline.dk, e-mail: e-mail

Place of work
Bartholins Alle 10, 8000 Aarhus C

What do we offer?
Aarhus BSS is part of Aarhus University, an internationally recognised research university with well-established academic environments and close engagement with society and industry. As a PhD student, you will gain:

• access to renowned researchers and international networks
• an engaging and supportive research environment
• a pathway to a research career or a career in the private or public sector
• We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and recognize diversity as a key asset. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on an overall evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications. Particular emphasis is placed on:

• the quality, originality, and relevance of the research proposal
• academic performance in both bachelor’s and master’s degree studies
• evidence of a demonstrated ability to produce substantial written work, such as a master’s thesis, during studies or in other contexts
• The final decision regarding admission is made by the management based on an assessment of both the quality of the proposed project and the applicant’s ability to complete it within the prescribed timeframe.
• Applicants are encouraged to include documentation of their class ranking (e.g. ranking or percentile), as this provides additional context for the assessment. However, this is not a requirement.

Framework for the PhD Programme

• The PhD programme is conducted in accordance with the current Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme and the rules and guidelines for PhD students at Aarhus BSS, both of which can be found here .
• It is not essential that your educational background matches the PhD programme exactly. The most important consideration is that your project is academically relevant and can be anchored within the research area of the PhD programme.

How to apply
You can read more about the application requirements in the application guide and find answers to frequently asked questions concerning the application process in our FAQ .

Terms of Employment

• If admitted to the 3-year PhD programme, you will also be offered employment in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state (in Danish). The job description and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
• Salary and employment terms are governed by the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state . You will be appointed as a PhD fellow at base pay level 4–8, depending on your educational background and qualifications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8,700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at

Spørgsmål til stillingen ?

Margit Anne Petersen Lektor, Psykologisk Institut - Center for Rusmiddelforskning Se telefonnummer på studerendeonline.dk e-mail

Spørgsmål til ansøgning og proces ?

Administrationscenter Aarhus BSS - Aarhus BSS HR & Ph.d. Se telefonnummer på studerendeonline.dk e-mail

Søg stillingen Ansøgningsfrist: mandag den 7. sep. 2026 kl. 23:59 CEST