The Faculty of Social Sciences, The Department of Psychology

Job description

A permanent position as Associate Professor (SKO 1011) in Cultural and Community Psychology is available at the Department of Psychology. Cultural psychology concerns the study of how the human mind and culture constitute each other, and, hence, how human behavior is embedded in, and shapes, socio-cultural environments, attitudes, and behavior. It goes beyond simply comparing results across cultures or countries in that it seeks to understand the development and transformation of culture. Community psychologists seek to understand the functioning of the community, including the quality of life of persons within groups, organizations and institutions, communities, and society. Their aim is to enhance quality of life through collaborative research and transformative action.

The appointee must be able to lead and initiate research, supervise doctoral degree students, participate in teaching and examination work at all levels, and undertake administrative tasks, in accordance with applicable provisions.

More about the position

The position requires an innovative, active and strong research profile with excellent documented potential for performing high-quality research. Topics of relevance involve the study of psychological phenomena related to environmental issues, acculturation, misinformation and conspiracy beliefs, prejudice and discrimination, collective action in repressive contexts, identity and political leadership, power and ideology, therapeutic cultures, language and discourses, well-being, social inequality, and political attitudes including the study of protest and extremism. We are particularly looking for someone with a strong profile in community psychology and environmental/climate psychology. The candidate is expected to initiate and publish high-quality research at the department.

The Section for Methodology, Work-, Cultural-, and Social Psychology (MAKS) covers basic and applied research and teaching for the Bachelor, Master, clinical training and PhD programs in methods, work and organizational, social, culture and community psychology. The section strives to offer an inclusive and diverse environment with good onboarding and openness to researcher-driven initiatives. We facilitate collaboration, learning and career development.

The cultural and community psychology unit includes four permanent academic positions in addition to PhD-students and postdoctoral research fellows, thus providing ample opportunities to develop joint research projects. The candidate will also be expected to teach and supervise at all levels (bachelor, master, professional, and PhD) in Cultural and Community psychology. Hence, pedagogical experience within the field is an advantage. The position also involves administrative and other duties in accordance with university regulations.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s and a doctoral degree in psychology or equivalent qualifications within cultural and community psychology or a related discipline.
• An innovative, active and strong research profile in cultural and/or community psychology with excellent future potential for performing research. The applicant should have research expertise in one, or preferably, several of the research topics that are central to the research group and are highlighted above. In particular, having expertise in environmental and in community psychology is an advantage.
• Solid methodological skills are required. Experience with both qualitative and quantitative approaches and with conducting mixed-methods research projects is a clear advantage.
• The candidate is expected to contribute to the further development of teaching in Cultural and Community psychology. An innovative, active and strong teaching profile is an advantage, such as experience with designing courses and curricula, innovating teaching, producing teaching material, working with course evaluations, or successful supervision of master and PhD students.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English and Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language) are a prerequisite for performing all the tasks associated with the position. The primary language of instruction is a Scandinavian language, while some courses are taught in English. The Faculty of Social Science has instituted a language requirement for all permanent academic staff, composed of two stages. After two years of employment, the first stage involves passing a Norwegian test or exam equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework for Languages. The second stage requires conducting teaching activities in Norwegian after three years of employment. The Department will offer language training to facilitate the attainment of this proficiency.
• The position is based in Oslo, and the successful candidate will be expected to have their base in Oslo or close to Oslo, so as to actively participate in the department’s daily life.

Preferable qualifications

• A documented interest and potential for attracting research grants counts positively.
• In accordance with University of Oslo’s internationalization strategy, international collaborations and networks, and documented research mobility are an advantage.
• Educational competence will count positively. Applicants who do not have documented basic university pedagogical competence must acquire this within two years from appointment.
• Teaching experience for topics related to prevention, cultural and community psychology, diversity, integration, minorities and cultural competence is an advantage.
• Documentation of experience in dissemination to the general public, management and administration will count positively.

Personal skills

We value:

• A good fit between the candidates’ goals and the position, resulting in a high motivation for all aspects of the position.
• Openness and a respectful and friendly engagement with students and colleagues.
• Taking initiative, as well as collaborating with colleagues.
• Taking responsibility for the work place and contributing to common tasks.
• Sharing one’s expertise and knowledge generously and investing in the careers of junior scholars.

We offer

• Salary from 689 100 to 839 900 NOK depending on competencies, in the position of Associate Professor (position code 1011)
• Good pension schemes
• Good welfare benefits
• The Associate Professor will have the opportunity to apply for promotion to a position as Professor at a later date

Career development at PSI

The Department of Psychology wants to facilitate future career opportunities for PhD students, postdocs and associate professors at the Department. We follow UiO's personnel policy, which requires the individual leader to actively follow up his or her employees, among other things by ensuring the individual's opportunity for development at work.

UiOs competance development offer

Diversity and gender equality

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.The Department of Psychology shall work actively for equality, ensure equal opportunities and rights, and prevent discrimination.

Gender equality initiativ at UiO

• Career development for female associate professors

Gender equality initiatives at the Department of Psychology (in Norwegian only)

• Action plan for gender equality, diversity and inclusion at the Department of Psychology 2022-2025

How to apply

The application must include the following documents in English:

• Application letter. The letter should include a 1-3 page description of the applicant’s academic profile, how the applicant views his/her academic interests in relation to the core areas of this position and the research group, and how the applicant wishes to contribute to the development of research and teaching in Cultural and Community psychology at the department in the short and long term.
• CV (complete list of education; positions; research, pedagogical, administrative, research communication and public dissemination qualifications and experience; as well as other qualifying activities).
• A complete list of scientific publications.
• Copies of educational certificates (in English or a Scandinavian language).
• Academic works (up to 5 publications) and a brief account of these. (Please note that these publications should be articles, chapters, brief reports or the likes. Please do not submit entire books.)
• Educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is related to the characteristics of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
• References (list of 2-3 persons with name, title, email and phone number).
• Applicants who have had statutory care leaves should document that.

The application with attachments must be submitted via our online recruitment system. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews and trial lecture will form part of the appointment process. The entire breadth of qualifications will be assessed in ranking competent applicants. In the assessment of academic achievements, quality, originality, scope, open research practices (e.g. open access sharing of data and code, transparency and reflexivity in analysis) and impact rather than only quantity and journal metrics will be emphasized. A range of scientific outputs beyond traditional journal publications will be considered. Assessments will also take into careful consideration that different methodological approaches and different subfields of psychology have quite different publishing traditions and different access to outlets. This can influence the number of publications, percentage of publications in high-impact journals and certain author-level metrics such as the h-index.

Academic achievements will be assessed in relation to seniority and career breaks (e.g. parental leave).

Contact information

• Head of Section, Professor Beate Seibt: beate.seibt@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of Administration, Gunnar Andre Malmin: g.a.malmin@psykologi.uio.no
• HR Officer, Andrea Klaveness: andrea.klaveness@psykologi.uio.no for questions regarding the electronic application.

Formal regulations

Please refer to the Rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships at the University of Oslo, the Guide for Applicants and Members of the Assessment Committee and Rules for practicing the requirement for basic pedagogical competence at the University of Oslo.

Pursuant to section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants. If there are no qualified applicants for a permanent position, the appointing authority may consider appointment to a temporary lower position for up to three years, cf. Section 6-5 of the University and University College Act. The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview. At least 1 qualified applicant of the underrepresented gender must be invited to an interview when applying for an Associate Professor position, cf. Action plan for equality, diversity and inclusion at the Department of Psychology 2022-2025. If there are no qualified applicants of the underrepresented gender, consideration must be given to advertising the position again, cf. Action plan for equality, diversity and inclusion at the Department of Psychology 2022-2025.

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