Research consultant (maternity leave cover) for a project on corporate sustainability

We are seeking a consultant for the Copenhagen Business Academy's (EK) research department, who can support the research project ‘ Sustainability in Copenhagen Businesses – trends and dilemmas ’ (BiKE). The work takes place in a small dedicated team with a docent (associate professor) and another research consultant.

The BiKE project has been running since 2024 and has the dual aim of giving new lecturers a structured introduction and experience with researching, and of creating valuable, research-based knowledge on sustainability for EK’s client companies.

We are looking for a candidate who will handle administrative and organizational tasks connected with running the program—from planning and facilitating meetings to booking rooms and coordinating dissemination—and who at the same time has an understanding of the nature and processes of research and will help develop the project.

We at the business academy have research ambitions that entail a large and exciting task to fulfil so that teachers are best introduced to the assignment and gain positive experiences with researching. It is therefore an advantage if the candidate has experience with – and a willingness to – support and develop others' competencies.

We are seeking a colleague for a maternity leave position, which calls for the following abilities (preferably with some weighting - you do not necessarily have to be able to do it all)

The organizational/administrative overview

BiKE is coordinated across many different disciplines, campuses and fields. Although many structures are fixed, the position requires particular attention to ensuring our calendars are coordinated, seminars are planned, and invitations are sent out in good time.

Supporting others’ learning

For some lecturers, the research task is new and experiences a notable difference from teaching. It requires the ability to help create a safe environment where there is room for new forms of uncertainty, for discussions and for the critical perspectives that rarely fit into everyday work.

Communication skills

In the vocational academy sector we research for and with companies; we research based on empirical data from business life, and we research to raise knowledge in the industries we educate for. This means that the research we do – in addition to being relevant in the academic field – must be communicated and disseminated so that it has an impact in business life. This places special demands on communication skills, e.g., in written genres and in organizing events.

Interdisciplinary understanding

We would like to see that you have experience with interdisciplinary projects, e.g., from study or work. Methodologically, you may have worked with qualitative and/or quantitative methods, which is a experience that can be used to co-develop BiKE project's mixed-methods design. Your professional background can come from many places.

The long, research-oriented perspective

You do not necessarily need research experience, but you have knowledge of and interest in research – perhaps as a researcher, research assistant, or administrative staff on a research project. This knowledge should be used to identify new research potentials in the project or to see potential in nascent ideas from the project’s participants. This can take the form of conferences, calls, or networking with other research institutions.

It is also an advantage to have insight into the many thorny debates about ‘sustainability’ and related concepts.

Concrete tasks

The position carries a blend of operations and development - on the one hand there is an established program that must be delivered in spring 2027, and on the other hand this program is subject to ongoing review and evaluation, which we use together to design the next edition, making the project increasingly ambitious - especially on the scientific front.

The tasks are primarily within administration, organization and research, while guidance/facilitation can also be included. They include, among others:

• Plan and organize diverse meetings and events – and conceive new ones
• Order catering and book venues
• Plan (with the team) didactically meaningful meeting sessions for the lecturers
• Participate in developing the project’s method
• Map relevant conferences and journals
• Help consider the dissemination of the project – and write the annual report
• Help further develop lecturers’ ideas after BiKE and conceive paths for their future research and affiliation
• Coordinate the project’s reference group

We offer

You will become part of a small, friendly and dedicated work community, which consists of Jesper (docent), Kasper (research consultant) and Emilie (research consultant who is going on parental leave). There is room here for productive work meetings, ambitious discussions about sustainability and fun observations from daily life or golden insights from a (research) article you have read. The work entails a high degree of independence and influence on tasks, which are coordinated within the team.

The universities of business academies are actively pursuing their research mission, and EK has 큰 ambitions, creating a field with rapid development and energy. Here BiKE is a key initiative that directly engages in uplifting research and creating meaningful experiences for new adjuncts. It is a both important and rewarding task.

You also get as part of the job the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest knowledge in sustainability and business through, among other things, literature and professional events.

About Research and Innovation (R&I)

You will become part of the Research and Innovation (R&I) department, which consists of about 20 staff members, a leader and a deputy head. The department’s purpose is to conduct research, support research and build capacity for research at the Copenhagen Business Academy.

We are a department that values strong professional expertise and development, but just as much enjoying good collaboration with each other. We have a weekly common breakfast and occasional professional and social events.

Most of the department’s work takes place in smaller communities, and we are in the process of implementing co-management as a central principle. This means you have a large influence on your own and others’ tasks, which are refined in the smaller communities. This way of working requires a willingness to collaborate and a proactive approach to task solving in the department.

About the BiKE project – Sustainability in Copenhagen Businesses

“BiKE”—the BiKE project—started in 2023 and is an annual study with the aim of continually giving an overview of the landscape of approaches to sustainability, and learning from the challenges faced by Copenhagen businesses. This knowledge can help professionals and companies make better decisions in their work on sustainability—and answer questions such as: Which measures should we implement? What will make us attractive as suppliers? Which certificates should we obtain? How will we handle typical challenges?

The project runs as a structured program with lecturers as project participants/co-investigators. It is targeted at adjuncts but with ambitions to become a strong framework for spin-offs of research projects led by senior lecturers, ideally spread across the program areas. See more at www.ek.dk/bike.

Employment terms

The position is 37 hours as a maternity leave replacement for 1 year. Expected employment is 1 December or as soon as possible thereafter. You will be employed under deputy head Frej Sorento Dichmann (currently on maternity leave).

Contact

If you have questions, you are welcome to contact

Jesper Balslev (docent) - [email protected] , tel. 24 90 22 91

Kasper A. Sørensen (research consultant) - [email protected] , tel. 24678476