Department of Media and Communication

Job description

A permanent position as Associate Professor (SKO 1011) in Media and Communication is available at the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo.

We seek a candidate who has experience with quantitative and/or digital methods in their research and teaching. The candidate should have excellent knowledge of and interest in one or more of the following research fields at the Department: political communication, digital media, media and democracy, media innovation, children, youth and media, and/or media and sustainability.

The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to pursue their research interests and collaborate with colleagues in research groups. For Associate Professors near half of the workload is reserved for research activities. Promotion to full professor can be applied for on personal merit according to university procedures.

Candidates must document their ability to teach quantitative methods on BA and MA levels. Candidates who are able and willing to contribute to the development of new courses in digital research methods are particularly encouraged to apply. 

The successful candidate has:

• An established record of international peer-reviewed publications.
• A track-record of national and international external funding or a great potential to attract such funding.
• An established track-record of teaching and supervision experience, which enables them to supervise at all levels and be responsible for courses in Media and Communication at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research, supervise MA- and PhD candidates, participate in teaching and in exam settings and assessment at all levels, and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the Department.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications in Media and Communication or other relevant disciplines
• Documented pedagogical skills (either a teaching course certificate or based on teaching experience) - see how to document your pedagogical skills
• Documented ability to teach quantitative methods
• Documented track record and future potential for project acquisition
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• International peer-reviewed publications
• Academic qualifications and academic production in media and communication, with emphasis on works published within the last 5 years. Quality and innovative thinking will be weighted more heavily than quantity.
• Teaching experience within areas relevant to media and communication and quantitative methods
• Pedagogical qualifications, documented teaching results and disposition to inspire students
• Experience with writing proposals and obtaining external funding to research projects
• Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department
• Interest and ability in leadership and administration
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
• Experience with and ability to build international networks
• Skills within popular dissemination, public outreach, and innovation

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

Academic quality, development potential and breadth will be prioritized in this order. The selected candidates are expected to contribute to the objective in the University of Oslo’s strategic plan to “strengthen its international position as a leading research-intensive university through a close interaction across research, education, communication and innovation”.

The successful candidate should demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, s/he is expected to reach proficiency equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) within two years. Within three years the appointee is expected to, in Norwegian, be able to actively participate in all functions the position may involve, including teaching. The Faculty of Humanities will aid and facilitate the appointee in reaching said proficiency.

We offer

• Salary NOK 692 400 - 796 600 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits
• The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter summarizing motivation, qualification, and academic expertise
• Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical expertise, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications
• Complete list of published works

Note that all documents must be in English (or a Scandinavian language), either in the original or in translation.

Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range and criteria described in this announcement with concrete examples.

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

Selection procedure

As the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to 10 publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Academic texts shall therefore not be enclosed with the application. Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last 5 years, to be considered as most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages. Applicants are further asked to submit a description of one or more research projects considered relevant for the department. Applicants are also asked to submit an Educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is anchored in the SoTL criteria (focus on student learning, development over time, a research approach and a collegial attitude and practice).

Finally, the most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

Please see the rules for appointments to Associate Professorships.

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period. Please see the rules for practicing the requirement for basic university pedagogical competence at UiO.

Within his/her normal duties and in accordance with his/her academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside his/her department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the department.

According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

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 regarding the position:

• Head of Department Kjetil Rødje

For questions regarding how to apply:

• HR Adviser Karoline Farbrot

Apply for position