Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages

Job description

A Researcher position (SKO 1109) is available at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages (IKOS), University of Oslo. The position is associated with the project “Energy Transition in Oil-Exporting Countries: Discourses on the Green Shift and Climate Change in Norway and the Gulf (Oil in Transition)” based in the same Department. The position is funded by UiO:Energy, which focuses on advancing new ways of using energy to tackle global climate change and environmental challenges.

The project is looking for a researcher to study changing attitudes and discourses relating to environmental politics, climate change, and renewable sources of energy, in one or more oil-producing Gulf state, e.g. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates or Kuwait. The analysis should involve comparisons with similar debates in Norway, using Norwegian language sources. Candidates with the ability to use quantitative text analysis to examine trends and topics in both Norwegian and Arabic-language media reporting and who has experience in using digital sources and tools in academic analysis will be preferred. This research will result in a project report, as well as one or more article-length manuscripts to be submitted to international peer reviewed journals.

The position is available for a period of 18 months and does not involve teaching. The successful candidate will work with Professor Brynjar Lia (PI) and Associate Professor Albrecht Hofheinz (Co-I), both at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages (IKOS), as well as with other members of the project team.

The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network of the department and contribute to its development.

All applications must include the required documents, including a project description (approx. 2-3 pages, see “How to apply”).

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in Middle East Studies and Arabic.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Norwegian and a strong research proficiency in Arabic are absolute requirements.
• Proficiency in quantitative text analysis
• Familiarity with Arabic text analysis and web scraping packages available in R or cognate software is an advantage, but not a requirement. However, the candidate must demonstrate competence in working with digital tools for text analysis.
• Peer-reviewed publications within the field of Middle East studies.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

The candidate must have publicly defended the doctoral thesis by the time of application.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

• The proposed project’s scientific merit and research-related relevance for Oil in Transition and IKOS
• The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame. Special emphasis will be placed upon the candidate’s previous publication record in the field of Middle Eastern studies and productivity as a researcher.
• Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines.

We offer

• Salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application 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)
• List of publications
• A brief project description (approx. 2 - 3 pages, 8500 characters. See Template for project descriptions). The project description must present a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment
• Copies of educational certificates

Diplomas, certificates, doctoral thesis and other academic works may be requested later.

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, jobbnorge.no. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.

The short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Formal regulations

See also Regulations concerning Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships.

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

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

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For questions about the position: Professor Brynjar Lia

For questions on how to apply: HR-Officer Natali Helgesen

Apply for position