Job description

One (1) permanent position is available at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for an Associate Professor in Human Geography, with particular competence in urban geography. Applicants who are qualified for full professorship can be promoted after a formal review process once they have taken up their position.

The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research, supervise, participate in teaching and assessment at all levels (BA, MA and PhD), and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the department. Permanent staff are expected to divide their time evenly between assigned teaching and administration, and independent research.

The department is ranked as the premier academic research institutions in human geography in Norway, conducting top international research while offering high quality education for students.

More about the positionThe department seeks a new colleague with clear research visions, educational and administrative skills and the ability to establish and lead research projects. The successful candidate has a strong research profile and track record of publications in acknowledged publication channels and is expected to strengthen both research and education in the human geography discipline at the department. The department is particularly interested in recruiting candidates with the ability to strengthen the department’s research and teaching in the field of urban geography.

Research at the department is broadly orientated. We currently have strong research activities in the fields of social inequality, migration, integration and diversity, cultural and political participation, urban studies, sustainable transformations, population dynamics, and work, organisations and politics. The call is not thematically limited to these topics, but preference may be given to candidates with a potential to contribute to the ongoing academic dialogue in the department.

Candidates must have teaching qualifications that are compatible with the department's research profile and must be able to teach human geographical theory and/or methods at all levels.

Applicants who do not have basic pedagogical competencies must acquire such within the first two years of employment.

The working language and primary language of instruction at the bachelor level is Norwegian, while the master and PhD programmes are taught in English. Non-Norwegian/Scandinavian speaking appointees will be required to complete organized language training leading up to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B2/”Bergenstest” within two years. Appointees are expected to acquire sufficient knowledge of a Scandinavian language to be able to participate actively in all aspects of departmental life within three years. Language training will be provided by the University.

Residence in the greater Oslo area is required.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria

The department's overall needs will be part of the considerations made in the hiring process. Pursuant to applicable regulations, applicants will be evaluated based on their documented academic qualifications as well as qualifications in teaching, management and administration.

• Candidates must have a PhD degree in human geography or equivalent, and a demonstrated ability to contribute to the continued development of human geography as a discipline at the department through research activities, publications and education
• Emphasis will be placed on research and international publications from the last five years as well as the candidate's future research potential. In the assessment of publications, originality, quality and scope will be emphasized
• Teaching abilities are an important factor in the evaluation of candidates. Relevant pedagogical and other experience should be well documented in a teaching portfolio that addresses students’ learning, development over time, a research attitude to teaching and learning, and a collegial attitude and practice (SoTL)
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the academic community as well as society at large through research leadership, administrative responsibilities, editorial work, communication and outreach is an advantage

The full range of these criteria will be explicitly applied in the evaluation of candidates.

Interviews will be part of the appointment process, along with a trial lecture.

We offer

• Salary NOK 661 400 to NOK 790 100 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Associate Professor (position code 1011)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• A generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• A good work-life balance and access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare
• Associate Professors may apply for full Professorship once they have taken up their position: Competence promotion for academic staff - For employees - University of Oslo
• Female academic staff can take part in the Career development scheme for female associate professors

How to apply

The application must include:

• An application letter. The letter should include a short description of the applicant’s academic profile, how the applicant sees his or her academic orientation fitting in with or expanding the core areas of the department’s research and how the applicant wishes to contribute to the development of research and teaching in human geography in general, and urban geography in particular
• CV (complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities)
• A complete list of publications
• A teaching portfolio based on the principles behind Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
• PhD Diploma
• Academic texts are not be submitted at the time of application

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

The appointment process

An internal screening committee will review all applications and forward a recommendation to a selection board. Applicants selected by the screening committee will be invited to submit a portfolio of up to seven publications from the last five years (a doctoral dissertation or a monograph will count as three publications) that are particularly relevant for the position.

The selection board, consisting of both UiO-affiliated and external members, will assess candidates using the full range of criteria listed above and in accordance with the formal regulations for appointment to Professor and Associate Professor positions at UiO. The selection board is free to assess more applicants than the screening committee identifies.

Applicants short-listed by the selection board will be invited to an interview and to hold a trial lecture.

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

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. Women are encouraged to apply.

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.

Contactinformation

• Head of Department, Professor Anniken Hagelun
• Head of Administration, Inger-Lise Schwab

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