Are you passionate about how images shape justice and human rights? The University of Copenhagen offers a fully funded PhD position on images and justice starting in 2026. This three-year scholarship lets you dive into a key research project on visual evidence from violence and war crimes.
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 behind them, like camera tech, training in visual literacy, and open-source checks.
This work comes from a European Research Council grant. You will team up with leader Nina Grønlykke Mollerup, other researchers, and the group Pax Memoria. The project matters for courts, justice, and how we trust what we see.
Key Tasks for the PhD Researcher
Your main job will center on visual literacy, memory, training, and how people see truth in violent images. You will do fieldwork at trainings for open-source investigations. This means talking to trainers and people who check images.
You will learn methods like geolocation, chronolocation, and visual checks. Study how experts and regular people read tough visual proof. Also, help build an interactive exhibit on image understanding.
The exhibit might use eye-tracking tools, digital feedback from visitors, interviews, and tests that change how people read images. This mixes research with real-world sharing.
Benefits of This PhD Position
This spot pays well and covers your needs. Get a monthly salary of about DKK 31,200, or around EUR 4,100. That comes with an 18.07% pension add-on. Funds go to fieldwork and trips abroad too.
Work at a top school in Europe. The University of Copenhagen leads in global groups like IARU. Your research touches big topics: human rights records, digital probes, ethics, and media skills.
The place welcomes all backgrounds. It helps international folks move with families. Your work can change talks on justice worldwide.
Who Can Apply
You need a Master’s degree or equal in fields like anthropology, sociology, psychology, human rights, or similar. Show skills in ethnographic work and interviews. Prove interest in visual culture and justice.
Handle sensitive research with care. Speak and write English well. Extra languages or work with civil groups help your case.
What to Submit
Put together these papers:
- One-page personal statement
- One-page CV
- School transcripts and degrees
- 3-5 page project idea that fits the main project
- Other school papers, with translations if needed
Make your project plan fresh but tied to “Before the Image.”
Application Process and Dates
Apply online at the University of Copenhagen job site. Check full details at the official page.
The deadline is May 27, 2026, at 23:59 CEST. Interviews happen June 22 or 24, 2026. You can join online.
Start date is September 1, 2026. This fully funded PhD position on images and justice waits for the right candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Before the Image’ project about?
The project studies how images of violence, war crimes, and human rights abuses are created, focusing on systems like camera tech, visual literacy training, and open-source checks.
What are the main tasks for the PhD researcher?
You will focus on visual literacy, memory, and training through fieldwork at open-source investigation trainings, learning methods like geolocation, and helping build an interactive exhibit.
What benefits does this PhD position offer?
It provides a monthly salary of about DKK 31,200 (EUR 4,100) plus pension, funding for fieldwork and travel, and work at a top university on important topics like human rights and ethics.
How do I apply and what is the deadline?
Submit a personal statement, CV, transcripts, project idea, and other papers online via the University of Copenhagen job site by May 27, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.
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