Job description

The Department of Political Science hereby announces a vacant position for a researcher (SKO 1108 or 1109). 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 Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages and Department of Political Science. 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 quantitative political scientist 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. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can use quantitative text analysis to examine trends and topics in Arabic-language media reporting and/or candidates with experience in analyzing survey data from the MENA region. 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 Dr. Neil Ketchley in the Department of Political Science. They will also coordinate with the other project members (PI: Professor Brynjar Lia; Co-I Albrecht Hofheinz; both based in the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages) working on comparisons between Norway and the Gulf.

Qualification requirements

• Completed MA degree in political science or related social science discipline (SKO1108), or PhD degree in political Science (SKO 1109)
• Familiarity with Arabic text analysis and web scrapping packages available in R or cognate software and/or competence in survey data analysis and knowledge of relevant surveys fielded in the MENA region, e.g. the Arab Barometer.
• Background in environmental politics and/or climate change research is an advantage, but not a necessary requirement;
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English; research proficiency in Arabic.

We offer

• Salary NOK 458 900 - 555 800 (position code 1108) or NOK 555 800 - 670 100 (position code 1109) per annum depending on qualifications
• A pleasant and stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• A project description (max. 3000 words). The project description must present a research question, identify possible empirical sources, and outline a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment. Applicants are welcome to contact Neil Ketchley to discuss the Oil in Transition project.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of transcripts: All applicants must submit their Master’s degree Diploma and transcript(s), preferably together with a class distribution of grades. The transcript must specify the grade achieved on the Master’s thesis.
• Foreign applicants are advised to attach an official explanation of the grading and credit system at your university, translated into ECTScredits.
• A complete list of publications and academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system; please follow the link “Apply for this job”.. Please note that all documents must be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

About the evaluation process

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project.

The most promising candidates will then be called for interviews.

Formal regulations

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

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Principal Investigator, Associate Professor Neil Ketchley: neil.ketchley@stv.uio.no, +47 22844351
• Head of Administration Dagfinn Hagen: dagfinn.hagen@stv.uio.no

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