Job description

A position as Researcher is available, to undertake research as part of the project Compliance Politics and International Investment Disputes (COPIID).

Arbitration of international investment disputes is both central and controversial in international law. Through a network of 3000+ investment treaties, foreign investors can sue states for discrimination, confiscation of property, and unexpected legal changes, which has resulted in more than one thousand cases. Compensation has been granted or included in almost 500 cases, through arbitral awards and settlement agreements. However, investment arbitration has been criticised for its circumscription of states’ regulatory autonomy, lack of neutrality and transparency, and large compensation awards, which has fuelled an ongoing legitimacy crisis in the system.

While research on the origins and dynamics of investment arbitration is increasingly well-established, little is known about what happens in the post-litigation phase. The multidisciplinary project COPIID, based at PluriCourts Centre of Excellence and the Departtment for Public and International Law, University of Oslo, asks therefore three questions: (1) To what extent do states comply with decisions? (2) Why do they comply with such controversial decisions? (3) What are the implications for how we understand the behaviour of ISDS actors and other international courts/tribunals? and (4) What are the implications for ongoing UN and international reform processes on ISDS? The full project description is available on request.

The period of appointment runs for three years without teaching responsibilities.

More about the position

The successful applicant is expected to contribute to the project as follows:

• Participate actively in the first three of five work packages, which involve (1) data gathering on and coding of the degree and nature of compliance; (2) data gathering on the compliance process for selected cases/countries together with qualitative analysis; and (3) quantitative analysis to examine the potential explanations for state compliance. This would involve coordinating the coding work, supporting data gathering and empirical analysis, and co-writing relevant publication outputs.
• Participating in other work packages or related scholarly work after agreement with the project leader. The other work packages involve (4) comparative analysis and (5) actor behaviour and reform implications.

• Assist in the development of the PITAD database, by coding new cases in international investment arbitration, improving the coding system, and/or ensuring good integration of compliance data within the existing PITAD database.
• In cooperation with the project leader, coordinate the holding of regular digital meetings and annual/semester physical meetings for the project and assist with the strategic development and public communication and administration of the project.

Qualification requirements and other qualities

Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in law, political science, economics or sociology.

Applicants must have at least two years’ experience at the postdoctoral level, and some experience working in a multidisciplinary project team.

Applicants must submit a project description of approximately 5 pages explaining how they would tackle their research task in the given time period.

The applicants should have an excellent command of the English language, written and spoken. Training in or publications spanning at least two of the following methods is a requirement: doctrinal methods, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, archival methods, and computational methods.

Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured way. Applicants must have good collaboration skills and the ability, willingness and commitment to work in a multidisciplinary team. Engagement with current international investment reform processes is an advantage.

The successful candidate is expected to live and work in Oslo during the project period and participate in common activities at the Centre, such as book editing, writing grant applications, lecturing at seminars, etc.

Evaluation of the applicant

In the evaluation of candidates, emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s academic achievements, previous relevant publications, the project description, project leadership experience, and the applicant’s professional and personal qualifications, particularly in relation to their ability to perform the proposed project within the allotted time.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the University of Oslo, personally or through electronic means. The candidates are evaluated by a Selection Board, which ranks the candidates based on the criteria indicated above and conducts interviews. In a few cases a dedicated interview committee will be formed.

The Appointments Committee of the Faculty of Law will take a final decision about the hiring of the candidate.

We offer

• Salary 583 500 to 702 100 NOK per annum depending on qualifications (position code SKO 1109)
• Academically stimulating working environment
• Pension arrangements in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Welfare arrangements

How to apply

The application must include:

• A cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae with grades listed (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities).
• Complete list of publications.
• Up to five previous academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered. If work is written by several authors, the division of work between them must be documented with the co-author's declaration.
• A project description of approximately 5 pages, including a description of the theoretical background, the aims, methodologies with suggestions for informants or entry points for case studies, and reflections about potential ethical challenges. The proposal must clearly demonstrate how the research will contribute towards the aims of CÒPIID. The applicant should present a publication strategy for the research done within the project.
• Copies of educational certificates (PhD and MA). Foreign diplomas must be provided in the original language as well as in an English translation. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university grading system.
• Names and contact details for at least two reference persons.

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• For questions concerning content: Malcolm Langford
• For administrative questions: Guro Frostestad

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