Postdoctoral Researcher in Platform Studies and Digital Governance @University of Copenhagen

Fully Funded Research Opportunity Focuses on Platform Power, Governance, and the Influence of Civil Society on Big Tech

University of Copenhagen has announced applications for a full-time postdoctoral research position in platform studies at the Faculty of Humanities, offering researchers an opportunity to contribute to a major international project examining governance and influence within global technology platforms.

The position is hosted by the Center for Tracking and Society at the Department of Communication and forms part of the “Power over Platforms?” research project funded by the Danish National Research Foundation.

The appointment is expected to begin on 15 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, and will run until the end of August 2028.

Applications close on 2 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

University of Copenhagen Postdoctoral Position in Platform Studies and Digital Governance Research 2026: About the “Power over Platforms?” Research Project

The “Power over Platforms?” project was launched in 2025 and explores how different actors seek to influence the governance practices of major technology companies such as Google, Meta, TikTok, and X.

The interdisciplinary initiative investigates how civil society organisations, advocacy groups, professional associations, and companies outside the technology sector attempt to shape decisions related to:

• Content moderation
• Privacy and data protection
• Generative artificial intelligence
• Political information and online speech
• Platform governance policies

The project aims to understand how influence is exercised over major platform companies by actors who may lack formal regulatory or economic power but still shape technology governance outcomes through advocacy, partnerships, and institutional pressure.

Researchers involved in the project will examine platform governance across multiple countries and jurisdictions both inside and outside the European Union.

University of Copenhagen Opens Postdoctoral Position in Platform Studies and Digital Governance Research 2026: Research Focus and Methodology

According to the university, the successful candidate will contribute to empirical studies mapping the networks, strategies, and influence of actors involved in platform governance debates globally.

The project combines several research approaches, including:

• Qualitative fieldwork
• Digital research methods
• Comparative institutional analysis
• Interviews and document analysis
• Cross-country governance comparisons

The research will examine how platform governance debates unfold both online and offline and how influence varies across companies, countries, and policy issues.

University of Copenhagen Opens Postdoctoral Position in Platform Studies and Digital Governance Research 2026: Duties and Responsibilities

The selected postdoctoral researcher will work closely with the project team and contribute to both research and academic dissemination activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Mapping actors involved in platform governance across countries
• Identifying key individuals and documenting professional networks
• Conducting interviews with stakeholders in technology governance
• Undertaking fieldwork at international conferences and policy events
• Analysing governance debates surrounding digital platforms
• Publishing scientific articles linked to the project
• Participating in academic workshops and research events

The university noted that the role offers participation in an internationally oriented and interdisciplinary research environment focused on digital society and media governance.

Qualifications and Preferred Experience

Applicants must hold a PhD and demonstrate strong academic expertise within digital media, communications research, or related social science fields.

The university stated that preference will be given to candidates with:

• Experience in platform studies and governance research
• Background in digital media and communication studies
• Knowledge of content moderation and AI governance issues
• Experience with qualitative interviews and fieldwork
• Skills in document analysis and empirical research methods
• Ability to work in major European languages such as German or French in addition to English

Candidates with prior research focusing on civil society actors and technology governance will have an advantage during the selection process.

Postdoctoral Position in Platform Studies and Digital Governance Research 2026: Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted online in either PDF or Word format and written entirely in English.

Applicants are required to submit:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic transcripts and PhD diploma
• Complete publication list
• Maximum of three selected publications
• Research plan
• Documentation of research dissemination activities

Only English-language documentation will be considered during the assessment process.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The university stated that employment conditions will follow agreements between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

The starting salary for postdoctoral researchers is:

• DKK 39,800 per month (approximately EUR 5,324)
• Additional pension contribution of 18.07%

The university added that salary supplements may be negotiated annually.

The role is based at the Department of Communication within the Faculty of Humanities in Copenhagen.

Support for International Researchers

University of Copenhagen highlighted that international researchers and accompanying family members will receive relocation and integration support services.

Available support includes:

• Relocation assistance
• Career counselling for partners
• Guidance on living and working in Denmark
• Support for international staff integration

The university also reiterated its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity within recruitment processes.

Postdoctoral Position in Platform Studies and Digital Governance Research 2026: Why Platform Governance Research Is Becoming Increasingly Important Globally

Experts say research examining platform governance and digital power structures has become one of the fastest-growing areas within communication studies, political science, and digital policy research. As major technology companies increasingly influence public discourse, elections, privacy rights, and information systems, universities and policymakers are investing heavily in research focused on accountability and governance.

The rise of generative artificial intelligence, online misinformation, and content moderation disputes has intensified global debates around the role of companies such as Google, Meta, TikTok, and X in shaping democratic processes and digital societies.

Key trends driving platform governance research include:

• Growing concern over misinformation and online political influence
• Expansion of artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision-making
• Increased scrutiny of privacy and data protection practices
• Rising influence of civil society and advocacy groups in tech regulation
• Cross-border debates on platform accountability and governance
• Stronger global regulatory efforts targeting major technology companies

Analysts note that interdisciplinary projects like “Power over Platforms?” are becoming increasingly valuable because they combine communication studies, political science, law, and digital sociology to understand how global technology governance is evolving in real time.

Application Deadline

Interested researchers are encouraged to submit their applications before the official closing date of 2 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Further information about the project can be obtained from Professor Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, principal investigator of the “Power over Platforms?” initiative.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding

JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW

JOIN JOBS IN SOUTH AFRICA WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW