Postdoc In Terror Trial Ethnography In France

The Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the Independent Research Fund Denmark Project (IFRD), ”Citizen Terrorists and the Presumption of Innocence (CiTPrI)” led by Associate Professor Kerstin Bree Carlson. The position as postdoc is limited to a period of 2 years, starting from October 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Social Sciences and Business
ISE conducts excellent, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research based on anthropology, business studies, development studies, economics, legal studies, political science, and sociology. We offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment characterized by academic and methodological diversity in research and education. Our faculty put a strong emphasis on research methodologies and are dedicated to gaining insights into businesses and society in diverse contexts of change and global engagement. We produce research at the highest international level that feeds into our educational programmes, while simultaneously leveraging our research to impact social, economic, and political change. Research in the department is organized in research groups. The selected candidate is expected to join one of the three research groups within the International Section: Global Political Sociology, Globalisation and Europeanization or International Development Research Group. Read more about the department here.

The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project, ”Citizen Terrorists and the Presumption of Innocence (CiTPrI)” funded by IFRD and led by Associate Professor Kerstin Bree Carlson. As a postdoc you will work closely with the principal investigator and project team, including collaborators at Bielefeld University and The American University of Paris.

The project examines how terror law positions what citizens do (agentic behavior) in relation to who citizens are (immutable characteristics). It does this by explicitly examining and comparing how the presumption of innocence is functioning in terror trials in Denmark, France and Germany. The presumption of innocence is a procedural requirement that governs how criminal cases are conducted, requiring the state to produce overwhelming evidence to convict an individual of a crime. This deliberately onerous standard tempers the enormous power of the state and ensures citizens’ basic rights. This makes it an inalienable right protected both domestically and internationally.

CiTPrI posits that by studying the presumption of innocence, we gain crucial insights into the functioning of justice systems, the protection of individual rights, and the evolving challenges faced by modern societies in balancing security and liberty; in effect, the presumption of innocence is a lens through which we can study the social contract. It is also a space wherein we can study both the state and individuals’ construtions/understandings of rights and duties between state and citizen.

The postdoc will focus on the ways that the presumption of innocence is functioning (or not) in and in relation to French terror trials. The research is comprised of qualitative investigation (ethnography; interviews; discourse analysis) in relation to terror trials, including (but not limited to) research regarding legal professionals (judges, prosecutors, lawyers) and trial participants, including civil parties and/or the families of terror accused. This law-in-action focus examines the interplay between legal doctrine (as articulated by involved parties) and socio-legal, extra-positivist considerations of legal practice.

Because the project is a law-in-action investigation of legal consciousness, an educational background that includes law is advantageous but not necessary. Prior experience in socio-legal research is required. Fluency in French and English is a prerequisite. Knowledge of Danish and/or German is an advantage.

Responsibilities and tasks
A postdoc at ISE is expected to;

• conduct and publish research at the highest international level
• participate in research groups, seminars and other relevant activities
• contribute to both the academic and social life of the research group and the department
• show good academic citizenship

The ideal candidate is expected to

• Conduct and contribute to high quality research on how the presumption of innocence is articulated in relation to terror trials in France;
• Possess advanced skills in ethnographic or other qualitative research methods
• Support and contribute to in-depth interviews with terror trial professionals (judges, prosecutors, lawyers) and participants, including civil parties and/or families of the accused
• Support and contribute to facilitating presentations, workshops and a podcast regarding the project
• Manage collaborative relationships
• Manage day-to-day administration of the research project; and,
• Support and contribute to development of a comparative analytical framework for trial ethnography

The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and will be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within a relevant field (e.g., sociology, law, anthropology, criminology) and must be fluent in French and English. Qualifications within the following areas are required:

• Experience with qualitative research methods
• Prior socio-legal research experience
• Fluent French
• Strong academic writing skills in English
• The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of the research team

It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of terror law and/or criminal justice systems in France. Fluency in French and English is required. Danish and/or German language proficiency is not required but advantageous.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;

• Relevant research experience that enables the candidate to work independently on the topic
• Ability to demonstrate research skills that are valuable to the topic and project deliverables
• Scientific production and research prospective
• Ability to promote and utilize research results
• Ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation

Questions
For further information about the postdoc position, please contact Kerstin Bree Carlson (carlson@ruc.dk).

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Head of Department.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education

4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)

5. A complete list of publications

6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement

Please submit your application no later than April 12, 2026.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.