Po­st­doc in Be­haviou­ral Con­tagion, Com­puta­tio­nal So­ci­al Sci­en­ce, and Sustai­nab­le Be­haviour

The Department of Management, Society and Communication invites applications for a three-year Postdoc position in Behavioural and Computational Social Science, Social Contagion, and Sustainable Behaviour. The position is part of the research project (Un)sustainable Tipping Points, led by Associate Professor Kristian Roed Nielsen (PI) and Assistant Professor Alice Pizzo (co-PI).

The position

The project investigates how individual decision thresholds, social networks, and social contagion and friction shape the emergence - or failure - of tipping points in sustainable behaviour transitions, as a consequence of positive feedback loops. It combines large-scale longitudinal behavioural data from digital platforms, incentivized behavioural experiments, and computational modelling of diffusion and threshold dynamics. The foundational aim of the project is to move beyond abstract narratives of tipping points and empirically identify and determine when positive feedback loops arise, which actors and what individual-level predictors catalyze them, and which social and contextual conditions enable momentum versus resistance to systemic change.

The postdoc will contribute to both the empirical, computational, and experimental components of the project, working closely with the PI and co-PI. This includes developing formal or simulation-based models of social contagion in the context of sustainable behaviour, analysing large-scale longitudinal data, conducting network analyses, and designing behavioural experiments. The position sits at the intersection of behavioural science and computational social science and is oriented toward high-quality international publications.

The position is a non-tenured postdoc appointment for three years, with the possibility of an additional year linked to teaching responsibilities, bringing the employment to a total of four years.

To fulfil the research requirements of the position, the appointed candidate is expected to be physically present on a regular basis and actively participate in the activities of the Consumer & Behavioural Insights Group and the MSC department.

The Department

MSC brings together scholars from a range of research areas within management, communication and the broader social sciences and humanities, studying organizations in global environments and the interaction and interdependencies of business, society and government. They share a common interest in studying organizations in global environments and the relations of organizations to the wider society, including decision-making at consumer level. Information about the department may be found at here: https://www.cbs.dk/research/departments/department-management-society-and-communication

The Consumer & Behavioural Insights Group at MSC brings together experts on the demand side of markets in relation to sustainability, working mainly with quantitative methods. Further information may be found here: https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/departments/department-management-society-and-communication/centre-sustainability/consumer

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field and have solid quantitative skills. Experience working with behavioural or longitudinal data is required, as is proficiency in coding (e.g., R, Stata or Python). Experience with computational modelling and network analysis is important. Prior work on sustainability is an advantage, but not essential. We seek a candidate with methodological rigor and intellectual independence who can integrate theory, data, and modelling into a coherent research agenda. The applicant must have professional proficiency in English (written and spoken). Experience with project management, experimental design, primary data collection, and proficiency in Danish will be welcome.

The position is based in Copenhagen. The appointed candidate ideally starts in September 2026, but there is some flexibility.

Copenhagen Business School has a broad commitment to the excellence, distinctiveness and relevance of its teaching and research programmes. CCandidates who wish to join us should demonstrate a commitment to working in an organisation of this type.

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

Application

Applications are to be sent via the electronic recruitment system, using the link below:

Application must include:

1. A cover letter with a summary of the candidate’s main qualifications and abilities.
2. A complete, numbered list of publications (indicating titles, co-authors, page numbers and year) with a *marking of the academic productions to be considered during the review. A maximum of 5 publications for review is allowed. Applicants are requested to prioritise their publications in relation to the field of this job advertisement.
3. Copies of the publications marked with a *. 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)
4. Information indicating experience in research management, industry co-operation and international co-operation.
5. Documentation of relevant, significant, original research at an international level.
6. Transcript(s)
7. All academic diplomas
8. A full and updated CV

Recruitment procedure

The Recruitment Committee will shortlist minimum 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.

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

Copenhagen Business School invites all qualified candidates to apply for the position. An appointment committee will review the applications and invite a selection of qualified candidates to an interview.

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.

For clarifying information regarding the position please contact the department: jobcall.msc@cbs.dk