Postdoc(s) in Polit­ic­al Eco­nomy at Copen­ha­gen Busi­ness School

EGB invites applications for a vacant position for one or more four-year postdocs in Political Economy. The postdoc(s) will be part of the project “The Business of Corruption: Why Business Elites Collude or Combat Political Corruption”. The project is led by Professor Mogens K. Justesen and is part of a Semper Ardens Accomplish grant funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. The start date is Spring/Summer 2027 (negotiable).

The department

EGB is a multidisciplinary department, which conducts high-quality research in the fields of international business and political science with direct relevance to business, decision-makers and the broader public.

The department focuses on two principal areas of research: 'Business and Government' and 'International Business' in relation to societal challenges. Business and Government is rooted in the disciplines of political science and political economy. International Business includes the disciplines of international economics and international management. EGB is uniquely positioned to generate research in the intersection of these two focus areas.

While societal challenges are inherently changing and dynamic, at present, research at the department resonates with two challenges in particular: (1) Geopolitical challenges; (2) Technological change and digital transformation, with an emphasis on AI. In a broader sense, we address societal challenges such as corruption, regulations, international conflicts and tensions, migration, populism, and ethical and unethical behavior of MNEs.

The research environment is highly international. Department faculty teaches at a range of programs: BSc in International Business (IB), BSc and MSc International Business & Politics (IBP), and the graduate diploma program (HD) in International Business. To learn more about the research and education of the department, please visit the departmental homepage here

The project

The Business of Corruption focuses on a central question in the study of corruption: Why do business elites sometimes collude with political decision-makers on corrupt transactions, while at other times they advocate for anti-corruption reform and push for programmatic regulation of markets. The project zooms in on the choices and behaviors of business elites—owners, executives, and directors of firms – and their interactions with politicians and public officials. We examine how corporate-political networks, firms' political exposure, and institutional environments shape whether business elites choose to collude with public officials or support rule-based governance.

The project is organized into a series of closely integrated work packages across eight democracies (Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United States). The first work package maps corporate-political elite networks and identifies the firms and individuals with privileged access to political decision-making. The second examines business elites' preferences, incentives, and willingness to engage in or resist corruption through elite interviews, large-scale surveys, and survey experiments. The third studies strategic interactions in corruption markets using experimental designs embedded into virtual reality scenarios that simulate procurement and regulatory negotiations between business and political actors.

The postdoc(s) will be part of a research team within the project. Strong abilities to work in research-based teams and collaborate/co-author with other team members is essential for the position. A certain amount of travelling and field work in connection with the project should be expected.

Non-exhaustive examples of research areas that the postdoc may cover:

• Political and economic elite behavior in relation to corruption
• Business elites in politics
• Political economy of corruption
• Firms and political corruption
• Money in politics

The postdoc will have a 25% teaching obligation. Much of EGB’s teaching is affiliated with the BSc/MSc in International Business and Politics (IBP) and the BSc/MSc in International Business (IB).

Qualifications

The applicant must have completed – or be close to completing – a PhD in the political science, political economy, or a related field. The applicant must have excellent research and teaching skills and excellent professional proficiency in English (written and spoken). The applicant must have excellent skills in quantitative methods, including methods for causal inference and/or survey experimental designs.

To fulfill the research requirements of the position, the postdoc is expected to be physically present at the department on a regular basis. Teaching responsibilities may comprise undergraduate and graduate teaching and will be determined on the basis of the candidate’s profile.

Copenhagen Business School has a broad commitment to the excellence, distinctiveness and relevance of its teaching and research programs. Candidates who wish to join us should demonstrate enthusiasm for working in an organization of this type.  

Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Finance’s agreement with the Central Academic Organisation.

Applications must be sent via the electronic recruitment system, using the link below.

Applications must include:

1. A cover letter outlining the candidate’s main strengths and abilities.
2. Transcript(s) and a full CV
3. A complete, numbered list of publications (indicating titles, co-authors, page numbers and year) with an * marking of the academic productions to be considered during the assessment. A maximum of 5 publications for assessment are allowed. Applicants are requested to prioritise their publications in relation to the field of this job advertisement.
4. Copies of the publications marked with an *. Only publications written in English (or another specified principal language, according to research tradition) or one of the Scandinavian languages will be taken into consideration)
5. A brief (1-page) research statement explaining research plans for 4-year postdoc project period.

Recruitment procedure

The Recruitment Committee will shortlist a minimum of two applicants; when possible five or more applicants will be shortlisted. The shortlisted applicants will be assessed by the Assessment Committee. All applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment process shortly after the application deadline.

The applicants selected for assessment will be notified about the composition of the Assessment Committee and later in the process about the result of the assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Closing date: September 18, 2026

Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices (see items above), by the application deadline.

APSA 2026

We will be available for informal talks at the APSA annual meeting in Boston, September 3-6, 2026. If you would like to inquire about the position(s) during the APSA meeting, please contact Professor Mogens K. Justesen by e-mail (mkj.egb@cbs.dk) no later than August 28, 2026.

Further information

For further information about the project, please contact: Professor Mogens K. Justesen, tel.: +45 3815 3564, e-mail mkj.egb@cbs.dk

For further information about the department (EGB), please contact: Head of Department Jens Gammelgaard, tel.: +45 3815 2512, e-mail jg.egb@cbs.dk.

One of CBS’ strategic goals is the promotion of diversity, which is why every effort has been made to ensure a recruitment process that reduces potential bias. Applicants are therefore encouraged not to include a photo or unnecessary personal information in their application.

Details about Copenhagen Business School and the department are available at www.cbs.dk