PhD position: Migration, Retirement, and Later-Life Integration

Jobbeskrivelse
At The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Society and Politics, a PhD.-stipend is available for appointment within the Doctoral Programme of Social Sciences and Humanities. The stipend is open for appointment from 1 May 2026 or soon thereafter. The position is part of a research project on retirement and later-life integration among non-Western immigrants using unique Danish register and survey data.

The integration of migrants and questions of potential return migration are increasingly important social issues across Europe, including Denmark. As many first-generation immigrants approach retirement age, societies face new challenges and opportunities in ensuring economic security, social inclusion, and political participation for ageing immigrant populations.
If you are interested in contributing to quantitative research in this field, we invite you to apply for a three-year, fully funded PhD stipend.

Your work tasks
The PhD position is part of the research project"Return or Belong? Retirement and Later-Life Integration among Non-Western Immigrants (RETIRE)", which examines how retirement shapes the lives of older non-Western immigrants in Denmark. More specifically, the project examines how retirement influences decisions about return migration and opportunities for social and political integration in later life, and how this varies by socio-economic status, using high-quality Danish administrative register data and survey data. The project is funded by the Inge Lehmann Programme of the Independent Research Fund Denmark and led by Associate Professor Jeevitha Yogachandiran Qvist.
The PhD student will be involved in both core parts of the project, analyzing return migration as well as later-life social and political integration among older non-Western immigrants in Denmark. The work consists of quantitative research, including developing research questions, conducting theory-driven statistical analyses of longitudinal register data, and, where relevant, linking these with existing survey data. The PhD student will contribute to international journal publications, present results at conferences and seminars, and take part in research training and the academic life of the department. It is expected that the PhD student will complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS credits and undertake a total of 600 hours of teaching during the three-year PhD period. The position also involves collaboration with international research partners, and a planned 3-month research stay abroad at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI).

Your competencies
We are looking for a curious and engaged colleague with a genuine interest in the research topic. You enjoy working analytically with quantitative data, approaching research questions thoughtfully, and learning new methods and theories. You can work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative and inclusive research environment.
Experience working with quantitative data, statistical analysis, or survey research is expected, and prior experience with Danish register data or other population data will be considered a strong advantage. The ideal candidate is comfortable learning new analytical methods and working with large and complex datasets.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree within a relevant social science discipline, e.g. sociology, economics or political science. The candidate must have strong skills in statistics and quantitative methods. While proficiency in Danish or a related Nordic language is not required, it is considered an advantage, as much of the data documentation is in Danish. The PhD thesis and other project outputs will be written in English, so applicants must be able to communicate and write at an academic level in English.
PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Please visit the website of the doctoral school for further information on admission requirements.

Who we are
The PhD student will be supervised by Associate Professor Jeevitha Yogachandiran Qvist and work closely with her throughout the project. The position also offers collaboration with an international team of leading experts at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI).
The PhD student will be part of the research group Centre for Comparative Welfare Studies (CCWS) at the Department of Society and Politics, Aalborg University. CCWS studies how welfare states, social policies, and institutional dynamics affect social cohesion, inclusion, and individual experiences of welfare. Our research covers a range of topics, including migration and integration, ageing and pension systems, societal values and norms, and the green transition, combining political science and sociology perspectives. In CCWS, we value a collaborative and supportive environment, where research meetings, presentations, and constructive feedback are part of our regular work. The PhD student will join a team of close colleagues eager to support your academic development and help integrate you into both the department and international research networks. Learn more about us here: CCWS - Center for komparative velfærdsstudier - Aalborg University

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor and master's degree diploma)
• Project description of a maximum of 5 pages. The description should briefly outline the proposed research, including the state of the art, research questions, theoretical framework, and planned methodology. A tentative timeline or work plan is also recommended. The purpose is to show your understanding of the topic and your ability to design a feasible PhD project, while acknowledging that ideas may develop during the PhD.
• Applicants who do not have English as a first language or WHO have not completed an English language-based Master's programme (or an equivalent educational achievement in English) shall provide documentation that they have passed one of the following official tests with the respective minimum score: IELTS (band score): 7, TOEFL (paper-based): 600, TOEFL (internet-based): 100. The language test must be no more than five years old at the time of the application.
• Other relevant documents

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

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Interviews will be held in late March or the beginning of April.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Jeevitha Yogachandiran Qvist: +4599408208, [email protected]
• Lene Møller: +4599409658, [email protected]

Ansøgningsfrist
15-03-2026

Ref. nummer
2026/108

Afdeling
Department of Society and Politics