Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantitative Family and Intervention Research

The Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at Aarhus University invites applications for a full-time, two-year postdoctoral position in quantitative family and intervention research. The position is based in The Couple and Family Research Lab and is expected to start on 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong quantitative profile, excellent analytical skills, and a clear interest in publishing high-quality empirical research. The successful candidate will primarily work on a randomized controlled trial evaluating self-help interventions for parenting couples experiencing conflict or relationship distress.

The trial compares the online OurRelationship program, couple-focused bibliotherapy, and a waitlist control condition. Data will be collected by the time the postdoctoral researcher starts, allowing the researcher to focus on analysis, writing, and publication.

The position is suited for a researcher who can work independently with complex longitudinal data, contribute to a clearly defined publication pipeline, and engage in methodological discussions within a collaborative research team. The publication pipeline includes papers on main trial outcomes, secondary outcomes, moderators of treatment effects, and prediction based on baseline data.

Research tasks
The main tasks will include:

• developing detailed analysis plans from preregistered protocols;
• conducting advanced quantitative analyses of longitudinal and dyadic data;
• handling missing data and conducting relevant sensitivity analyses;
• co-authoring and contributing substantially to collaborative manuscript preparation;
• providing feedback on drafts from other research team members
• conference and networking activity
• A portion of time for developing independent research ideas and leading first-author publications will be negotiated.

The position is embedded in a collaborative team structure and offers supported opportunities for the postdoctoral researcher to develop his or her independent research profile within quantitative family or intervention research.

Broader research environment
The postdoctoral researcher will primarily work on the OurRelationship trial, but will also be part of a broader research environment with several funded projects in The Couple and Family Research Lab, including Parent Training, Stepped Care for Couple Distress, and Family Startup.

Across these projects, the research unit works with intervention data from randomized trials, longitudinal survey data, and Danish registry data. Depending on interests and qualifications, the postdoctoral researcher may contribute to additional analyses, publications, and grant applications within this broader research portfolio.

The lab offers an ambitious and collaborative research environment with a high academic standard and a strong publication focus. Our work is driven by the aim of generating rigorous and practically relevant knowledge that can improve support for couples, families, and children. We value productivity, methodological rigor, independent thinking, teamwork, collegial support, and sustainable work-life balance.

The Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences invites applicants for assistant professorships through biennial open calls, with the next call expected to be announced by the end of 2027.

Qualifications
Applicants should hold a PhD in psychology, public health, social science, family studies, developmental science, epidemiology, or a closely related field with a strong quantitative profile.

The ideal candidate will have:

• strong and documented quantitative analysis skills;
• advanced proficiency in Stata, R, or comparable statistical software;
• the ability to specify, evaluate, interpret, document, and justify statistical models;
• strong academic writing skills, particularly in methods and results sections;
• the ability to contribute actively to empirical publications;
• excellent written and spoken English;
• the motivation to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Danish language proficiency is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Experience with one or more of the following will be considered an advantage:

• dyadic data analysis;
• multilevel modelling;
• repeated-measures or longitudinal intervention data;
• randomized controlled trials or intervention research;
• open science practices.

Teaching
The position includes a 20% teaching obligation. Teaching may include class-based teaching and supervision of master’s thesis students within psychology. For candidates with an interdisciplinary profile, teaching and supervision may instead be related to research methods and quantitative methodology.

Further information
Potential applicants are welcome to contact Professor Tea Trillingsgaard (e-mail teatri@psy.au.dk or +45 26858554) for further information about the position, the project, and the research environment.

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Coordinator Sara Hansson, email: salh@au.dk.

Place of work
The position is based at Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 11 8000 Aarhus C. Physical presence in Aarhus is expected.

International applicant?
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information here:
https://internationalstaff.au.dk/relocationservice/

Please find more information about research opportunities at Aarhus University here: http://international.au.dk/research/

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here:
http://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

Terms of employment
The appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish).
The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities. The position is a Postdoctoral Researcher position, and salary and terms of employment are determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement.

Application procedure
When you apply for this position it is mandatory to attach the following:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae. You are encouraged to declare any periods of leave without research activity, including, for example, maternity leave, since your research activities are assessed in relation to your actual research time
• Education (diploma for master’s, PhD and possibly higher doctoral degree)
• List of publications (the enclosed publications must be clearly marked on the list of publications)
• Publications. Up to three publications can be included in the application. In the event of several authors the publications must be accompanied by a co-author statement concerning the applicant’s share of the collaborative work with the consent of the co-authors. This template may be used for the purpose
• Teaching portfolio. The specific requirements regarding the documentation can be found here
• Applicants are encouraged to include a short statement describing their quantitative methods experience, experience with complex and/or longitudinal data, and publication profile or publication plans relevant to the position.

Materials which cannot be uploaded together with the application may be submitted in three copies to Aarhus BSS HR & PhD, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 16, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

Read more about how to apply for an academic post at Aarhus BSS here

The evaluation process
After the application deadline, an assessment committee is appointed. Please note that the assessment of applicants is based solely on the material received prior to the application deadline. For further information, see Guidelines for Assessment Committee, Aarhus BSS.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8,700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more atwww.international.au.dk/