Gaia MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships on Interdisciplinary Climate Research – 2nd call

The Gaia Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme, funded by the EU under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), offers 6 additional positions across to the already 9 existing fellowship, in this final call. 

This programme is open to early-career researchers from all disciplines, including Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, and Engineering. Based at the University of Southern Denmark's Climate Cluster (SCC), Gaia aims to foster interdisciplinary research by integrating fellows into a collaborative network of academic, public, and private partners.

Fellows will benefit from advanced interdisciplinary training, bridging academic research with societal applications, to address critical climate challenges and the green transition. Emphasis is placed on developing leadership and collaboration skills, preparing participants to take on significant roles in research and innovation within climate-related sectors.

Applications Process 

How does it work? 

You have an idea that fits within the 10 research themes of Gaia ), you find and contact a potential researcher at SDU, about your application and ask them if they would like to be your supervisor and you then gather all the material you need to make your application. 

Key Research Themes:

• The green transition and nature-based solutions
• Value systems, perceptions, and worldviews
• Energy, technology, and society
• Education, relationships, and ecoliteracy
• Sustainability and adaptation in the Nordic and Arctic region
• Resource use, innovation, and the circular economy
• Digital technology, information, and citizen empowerment
• International development and climate challenges
• Transport, society, and human health
• Behavioural change and the green transition

Supervision:

Each Postdoctoral Fellow will have a main SDU supervisor, and co-supervisor as well as a non-academic partner organisation mentor. Fellows have to find and contact their potential main supervisor through SDU's researchers' portal ). 

Eligibility: 

• Applicants have to find a supervisor at SDU 
• Mobility Rule: Applicants must not have lived, worked or studied in Denmark or at SDU for more than 12 months in the 3 years before 28 February 2026 (recruitment start).* 
• Relevant PhD in Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, or Engineering by the call deadline (date of PhD defence/viva) 
• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent research experience measured from the date stated on the PhD diploma. 
• The application must be in English  
• The research proposal must be relevant to the Gaia programme mission of climate mitigation, adaptation, and the green transition (research themes)
• successful applicants must work in Denmark by the time of employment 

*Mobility eligibility window is from 01 March 2023 until 28 February 2026

Application Material: 

• Project Proposal, with a page limit of 10 pages (use template) []
• CV (use CV template), page limit of 4 pages []
• Personal Information Form (use template) []
• Proof of communication/Letter of support with Supervisor 
• PhD certificate
• Optional: Up to two letters of recommendation from the graduating university or previous employers 

Application, salary etc.  

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and  taxation.  

The application must include the following:  

• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment with start and end dates   
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely  
• Copy of PhD diploma, if Phd diploma has not yet been received, please include statement from your supervisor  

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.  

Shortlisting may be used as part of the assessment process, and an interview may be included in the overall evaluation of the applicant's qualifications.  

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.  

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.  

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.  

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark can be found on the University's website.