Job description

The Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, invites applications for a tenured appointment in the field of religion and society.

Central research themes within the field at the Faculty are: comparative studies of religion in contemporary society, ritual studies, religious change in pluralistic societies, conflict and dialogue within and between religions, the relationship between religion and politics, the relationship between religion, gender and sexuality, the relationship between religion and the climate/ecology, migration studies, lived religion and the religious/secular binary.

Being located within the context of a Faculty of Theology, we engage the field of religion and society through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Theology, Interreligious studies and the Humanities are relevant partners. In addition to thematic variety, the Faculty employs a range of methods and theoretical perspectives. The field of religion and society forms the basis of the study programme Religion and Society (BA and MA).

The Faculty prioritizes social science competencies for this position. We emphasize qualifications and experiences contributing to the continued development of a variety of methods, particularly within the area of qualitative research. The Faculty underscores a keen interest in knowledge production that takes as its starting point the ways in which society transforms when confronted with the great challenges of our time. We are primarily interested in the various ways in which religion in society is transformed and renewed in these encounters.

Development and continued refinement of interdisciplinarity is central to the Faculty’s emphasis on the relationship between research and education. That is also true for the Faculty’s highlighting of pedagogical development, quality of teaching/education and the opportunities this focus provides for the relationship between research and education. The Faculty will give priority to applicants that contribute to these main areas within the context presented above when considering appointment.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to research, teaching and supervision, to take up the position as programme co-ordinator and teach in the Religion and Society programme, and contribute to teaching in other programs, including the PhD-programme.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in religion and/or the social sciences, or other relevant fields.
• Documented pedagogical skills
• Documented potential for project acquisition and project management
• Fluency in English (oral and written), and preferably also in a Scandinavian language. International applicants are expected to teach in a Scandinavian language within two years (see Formal regulations below)
• Active participation in international networks and good collaborative skills will be emphasize

The Faculty will give priority to applicants that contribute to the main areas within the context presented above.

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

• International peer-reviewed publications
• Original and innovative research along with the will and ability to cross-disciplinary engagement and cooperation
• The candidate’s potential to contribute to the Faculty’s long-term development of the academic research environment
• The candidate’s potential to contribute to pedagogical development
• Experience with research projects, preferably in an international setting
• Proven ability or clear potential to attract external funding
• Experience with and ability to build international networks
• Interest in and ability for academic leadership and administration
• Skills in popular dissemination, public outreach and innovation
• Collaborative skills and contribution to a positive working environment

We offer

• Salary NOK 573.100 - 667.200 per annum depending on qualifications (Associate professor, position code 1011)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities)
• A complete list of publications
• Academic works (up to 5 publications)
• PhD Diploma
• 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 note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

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

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

Formal regulations

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.

The successful candidate must demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, the appointee will be expected within a two-year period to learn sufficient Norwegian to be able to participate actively in all functions the position may involve.

Please see the rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships and Rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence.

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

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

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

Contactinformation

• Professor Anders Runesson, + 47 22850305, anders.runesson@teologi.uio.no
• Senior Adviser Rigmor Smith-Gahrsen, + 47 22850311, rigmor.smith-gahrsen@teologi.uio.no

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