Postdoc in refugees' mental health and co-creation

Institute for Public Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen is seeking a full-time postdoc for the project SAMSKABT - Strengthening refugees' well-being through accessible and coherent care. The project is funded by the VELUX HUMpraxis program and is a research and practice development project aimed at strengthening mental health and psychosocial support for refugees through closer collaboration between specialized treatment services, primary care, and civil society organizations.

The project is conducted in collaboration with DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture and Diversity Works .

About the project

SAMSKABT aims to strengthen mental health and well-being among refugees who live with trauma and stressors following migration. The project examines people’s experiences of psychological distress, maps pathways to help and treatment, and, through co-creation, develops new practices across sectors.

The project seeks to generate new knowledge and develop practical solutions that can improve access to coherent, coordinated, culturally responsive and sustainable offerings within mental health and psychosocial support.

The project addresses three central challenges in practice

• Limited access to specialized mental health care through primary care.
• Poor coordination between the health system and civil society offers.
• Limited recognition of the psychosocial support provided by civil society organizations.

Building on community-based participatory research, care ecology perspectives and co-creation methods, the project will generate new knowledge and develop practical innovations that can strengthen access to coordinated and Diversity-sensitive mental health and psychosocial support for refugees in Denmark.

Research environment

The selected candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary research environment at the University of Copenhagen and will work closely with researchers and practitioners from DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture and Diversity Works.

The project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research at the intersection of refugees’ everyday lives, mental health, participatory research, implementation research, and the development of health systems.

Job description

The postdoc will play a central role in the project. The primary tasks include

• Conducting ethnographic fieldwork in civil society organizations and specialized treatment services.
• Conducting qualitative interviews with refugees, health professionals, volunteers and other relevant actors.
• Analyzing qualitative and ethnographic data based on collaborative and participatory approaches.
• Mapping refugees' mental health and psychosocial support across sectors and the contexts in which help is provided.
• Co-facilitating participatory workshops with refugees, clinicians, practicing physicians and civil society actors.
• Supporting the involvement of relevant actors and the collaboration between refugees, practitioners and partner organizations.
• Contributing to the development and piloting of co-created practice innovations.
• Contributing to implementation activities and the development of practical materials, including guidelines and teaching materials.
• Contributing to scientific publications, conference presentations and dissemination.
• Actively participating in project coordination and collaborative activities.

The postdoc will work closely with the project's Principal Investigator and project partners and will be part of a strong interdisciplinary research environment within public health, psychology, migration studies, global mental health, primary care and implementation research.

Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate who has

Mandatory qualifications

• A PhD in public health, psychology, anthropology, sociology, migration studies, global health or a related field.
• Documented experience with qualitative research methods, including interviews, ethnographic fieldwork and/or participatory methods.
• A strong publication record relative to career stage, including peer-reviewed international publications.
• Very good written and spoken English skills.
• Very good spoken Danish skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational and collaborative skills.

Desirable qualifications

It would be advantageous if the applicant has

• Knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support for people with refugee or migrant backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the Danish health system.
• Experience with community-based participatory research, co-creation, implementation research or health services research.
• Research experience in migration, refugee health, mental health, psychosocial support, health equity or primary care.
• Experience with facilitating workshops or processes involving relevant actors.
• Experience collaborating with practitioners, civil society organizations or other local and community-based actors.

We offer

• A unique opportunity to contribute to an ambitious research program with strong societal relevance.
• An interdisciplinary and collaborative work environment.
• Close collaboration with leading researchers and practice partners in the field of refugees’ mental health and psychosocial support.
• Opportunities for international networking, scientific publishing and career development.
• An employer that prioritizes diversity, inclusion and research quality.

Employment terms

The position is a full-time postdoc at the Institute of Public Health Science, University of Copenhagen, and is covered by the agreement for academics employed at Danish universities.

The position is expected to be filled by 1 February 2027 or shortly thereafter.

The employment period is 27 months.

Salary and employment terms follow the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the University Academics.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically and include

• A motivated application describing the applicant’s motivation and qualifications for the position (max 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae.
• PhD certificate or documentation of expected completion of PhD studies.
• Complete publication list.
• Three selected publications.
• Contact information for relevant referees.

Application deadline: 8 November 2026 at 23:59 CET

Interviews

Interviews are expected to be held in December.

Further information

If you would like to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact

Maria Martí Castañer

Associate Professor and Principal Investigator

Institute of Public Health Sciences

University of Copenhagen

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Copenhagen supports equality and diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for the position regardless of age, disability, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or other personal background.