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 and another research consultant.

The BiKE project has been running since 2024 and has a dual aim: to provide new teachers with a structured introduction and experience in research, and to create valuable research-based knowledge about sustainability for EK’s employer partners.

We are looking for a candidate who will handle administrative and organizational tasks related to the running of the program – from planning and facilitating meetings to booking rooms and coordinating dissemination – and who at the same time understands the nature and processes of research, and will help develop the project.

We have research ambitions at the academy, which present a large and exciting challenge to fulfill so that teachers are best introduced to the task and gain positive experiences with researching. It is therefore advantageous if the candidate has experience with – and a desire to – support and develop others’ competencies.

We are looking for a colleague for a maternity cover who calls for the following abilities (preferably with weighting – you do not necessarily have to be able to do everything)

The organizational/administrative overview

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

Supporting others’ learning

For some teachers, the research task is new and noticeably different from the teaching role. This requires the ability to contribute to creating a safe environment where there is room for new forms of uncertainty, for discussions, and for the critical perspectives that rarely fit into everyday life.

Communication skills

In the vocational academy sector we research for and with companies, we research based on empirical data from the business world, and we research to raise knowledge in the industries we educate for. This means that the research we do – in addition to being established in the academic field – must be communicated and conveyed so that it has an impact in business. This places particular 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 an experience that can be used to co-develop BiKE project’s mixed-methods design. Your professional profile can come from many places.

The long, research-oriented view

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

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

Concrete tasks

The position bears marks of both operation and development – on the one hand there is an established program to be delivered in spring 2027, and on the other hand this program requires 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 primarily fall within administration, organization and research, while guidance/facilitation can also be included. They include, among others:

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

We offer

You will become part of a small, friendly, and dedicated working community consisting of Jesper (docent), Kasper (research consultant), and Emilie (research consultant who is going on maternity leave). Here there is room for efficient work meetings, lofty discussions about sustainability, and fun observations from daily life or nuggets from a (research) article you have read. The work involves a high degree of independence and influence on the tasks, which are coordinated in the team.

The vocational academies are actively developing their research task, and EK has big ambitions creating a field with rapid development and energy. Here BiKE is a key initiative that directly engages in lifting research and creating meaningful experiences for new assistant professors. It is both an important and rewarding task.

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

About Research and Innovation (R&I)

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

We are a department that values strong professional expertise and development highly, but just as much that we get along well with one another. We have a weekly shared breakfast and occasional professional and social events.

The majority of the department’s work takes place in smaller communities, and we are implementing co-leadership as a central principle. This means you have a great deal of influence over your own and others’ tasks, which are shaped within 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

The “BiKE” project started in 2023 and is an annual study aimed at continuously providing an overview of a landscape of sustainability approaches that can be overwhelming for many and learning from the challenges that Copenhagen-based companies experience. This knowledge can help professionals and companies make better decisions in their work with sustainability – and answer questions such as: Which initiatives should we implement? What will make us attractive as suppliers? Which certificates should we obtain? How will we handle typical challenges?

The project is conducted as a structured program with teachers as project participants/co-researchers. It is targeted at assistant professors but with ambitions to become a strong framework for spin-offs of research projects led by associate professors, preferably across program areas. See more at www.ek.dk/bike.

Employment terms

The position is 37 hours as a maternity cover for 1 year. Expected start is December 1st 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

Department: EK Research and Innovation

Application deadline: 17 November 2026

Location: Guldbergsgade 29N, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark