Fully Funded PhD Position on Images and Justice at University of Copenhagen

Are you passionate about how images shape justice and human rights? The fully funded PhD position on images and justice at the University of Copenhagen offers a unique chance to dive into this topic. This three-year scholarship starts on September 1, 2026, at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies. It falls under the ERC-funded project Before the Image – The Political Ontology of Images for Legal and Social Justice.

About the “Before the Image” Project

The Before the Image project looks at how images of violence, war crimes, and human rights abuses come to be. It goes beyond just taking or seeing the photo. Instead, it studies the systems involved, like camera tech, training in visual literacy, and open-source checks.

The project received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. It aims to figure out how people see truth and proof in images, mainly for legal and justice work. You will team up with leader Nina Grønlykke Mollerup, other researchers, and the group Pax Memoria.

Key Research Tasks for the PhD

In this fully funded PhD position on images and justice at the University of Copenhagen, your work will center on visual literacy, memory, training, and how people view truth in violent images. You will handle several main duties.

First, do ethnographic fieldwork at trainings for open-source investigations. Talk to trainers and participants about verifying images. Learn skills like geolocation, chronolocation, and visual checks.

Next, study how experts and regular people read tough visual evidence. Help build an interactive exhibit on image understanding. This might use eye-tracking tools, digital feedback from visitors, interviews, and test prompts.

Your role mixes research, hands-on work, and sharing knowledge with the public.

Benefits of This Opportunity

This position stands out for many reasons. It comes fully funded with a monthly salary of about DKK 31,200, or around EUR 4,100. You also get an 18.07% pension add-on and money for field trips or stays abroad.

The University of Copenhagen ranks high in Europe and joins the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU). You will join an international team that welcomes diverse backgrounds and helps with moves for families.

Your research will touch big issues like human rights records, visual proof, digital probes, justice ethics, and media skills. It makes a real difference in global talks.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Rules

You need a Master’s degree or equal in fields like anthropology, sociology, psychology, human rights, or similar. Show skills in ethnographic methods and interviews. Prove interest in visual culture and justice.

Handle ethical research on sensitive topics. Speak and write English well. Extra languages or civil society work help your case.

What to Submit in Your Application

Put together these items:

• A one-page personal statement.
• A one-page CV.
• Academic transcripts and diplomas.
• A 3-5 page project description that fits the Before the Image goals but adds your fresh ideas.
• Any other school papers, with translations if needed.

Make your project proposal match the main framework.

Deadline and Application Steps

Submit by May 27, 2026, at 23:59 CEST. Interviews happen on June 22 or 24, 2026, and you can join online.

Apply through the University of Copenhagen’s online portal. Check the official page for details: University of Copenhagen PhD position.

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