Overview
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (postdoc) to work on the ESRC funded ‘The Business of Bordering’ research project. The postholder will work under the supervision of Dr. Lucy Mayblin (University of Sheffield), in collaboration with Dr. Joe Turner (University of York) and Dr. Martin Lemberg-Pedersen (University of Southern Denmark).
The Business of Bordering project, starting in September 2026, will focus on the wide range of companies, contracted directly or indirectly by governments, to contribute to border control. The research will focus on the UK and Denmark and how these states are experimenting with, propagating and normalising private border security businesses in their national contexts. The project entails: building a database of border security tenders and contracts; identifying the institutional mechanisms of democratic scrutiny and accountability of the business of bordering; undertaking critical discourse analysis of policy texts; mapping stakeholders in the border security economy; conducting qualitative field research entailing elite and civil society interviews and participatory observation during border security sector events; and dissemination work.
This post is for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (postdoc) to focus on the Danish part of the research. Suitable candidates will be fluent in Danish and have excellent English, and will ideally have knowledge and experience of working with financial datasets, analysis of public/private contracts, and company profiles. Training will be provided, but enthusiasm for in depth independent desk based compilation of data in spreadsheets is essential.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Reading and reviewing literature as appropriate.
- Building, under supervision, a dataset of border security contracts in the Danish context
- Desk based policy analysis and stakeholder mapping in Danish and English
- Undertaking qualitative field research including elite interviews and observations at border security sector events
- Attending and presenting at academic seminars, workshops and conferences
- Assisting in the writing of the project website/blog, newsletters, reports and scholarly publications.
- Contributing to conference presentations, practitioner workshops and research advisory group meetings, as well as assisting in the running of them.
- Carrying out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
A PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant social science or humanities discipline (or equivalent experience)
Fluency in Danish language
Familiarity with relevant policy areas (Danish borders and immigration systems, other Danish government and policy systems)
Excellent written and oral communication skills in both Danish and English
Application and interview
Excellent time management skills
Application and interview
Ability to work independently
Application and interview
Familiarity with relevant research areas (e.g. critical border and migration studies literatures, political economy, outsourcing, the arms trade, security technologies)
Experience with financial data, for example using financial investigative journalism techniques or other relevant approaches
Application and interview
Experience with stakeholder mapping
Experience with policy discourse analysis
Further Information
From 1st September 2026 for 30 months
https://sheffield.ac.uk/spir
For informal enquiries about this job contact Lucy Mayblin, Senior Lecturer Sociology: on l.mayblin@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 30th June 2026. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 15th June. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected].
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
