PhD Research Fellowship in Neurodivergence and innovation in the Workplace
Deadline: 02.08.2026
Publisert
Universitetet i Innlandet har om lag 15 000 studenter og 1 450 ansatte. Vi har studiesteder i Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad og på Blæstad, og tilbyr også noen utdanninger på Kongsvinger, Tynset og i Oslo.
NOKUTs styre godkjente Høgskolen i Innlandets søknad om universitetsakkreditering den 12. september 2024. 8. november besluttet kongen i statsråd at høgskolen ble Norges 11. universitet. Universitetet i Innlandet er kjent for sterke og solide utdannings- og forskningsmiljøer som setter spor etter seg regionalt, nasjonalt og internasjonalt.
Visjonen vår er «Sterkere sammen - vi bygger universitetet i tverrfaglig fellesskap, sammen med samfunns- og arbeidsliv.»
The purpose of the PhD research fellowship for the admitted candidate is to undergo a research trainingprogramme that leads to the successful completion of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is aprerequisite for employment. The candidate is expected to participate actively in INSEPP’s activities. Aftercommencement, the candidate must apply for admission to the PhD programme within three months. Anagreement for admission to the PhD programme must be in place within six months after commencement.
The candidate will be part of the Department of Organisation, Leadership and Management and the People andOrganization research group (P&O) and OASIS (Organisasjon, arbeid og socialpsykologi i samfunnet) researchgroup. In addition to INSEPP, these environments represent a valuable resource for PhD studies.
The PhD candidate will independently drive the project as part of a research environment working on inclusion,equality, and diversity. The main supervisor conducts research on neurodiversity in the workplace. The secondsupervisor conducts research on diversity and inclusion and has expertise in research methods. The thirdsupervisor conducts research on organizational psychology and innovation.
Project BackgroundNeurodivergent diagnoses — including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia — are increasing among both children andadults. At the same time, neurodivergent individuals face high unemployment rates, limited careeropportunities, and persistent workplace discrimination. While neurodivergence has received growing attentionin discussions of innovation and organizational competitiveness, workplace practices often remain grounded inneuronormative assumptions that privilege neurotypical ways of thinking and working. Research indicates thatsuch assumptions are embedded in organizational and HR systems through misrecognition, superficial inclusionefforts, and unreflective routines, which may obscure or undervalue neurodivergent contributions.Drawing on diversity and inclusion research and innovation theory — particularly process-based and socioorganizationalapproaches — the project examines how neurodivergent cognitive profiles interact withorganizational structures and practices to shape innovation processes across different stages, and under whatconditions such contributions are enabled or constrained.
Project OverviewThe project investigates how neurodivergent cognitive profiles influence innovation in organizational andentrepreneurial contexts. Neurodivergence is understood as a form of cognitive variation, where implicationsfor innovation depend on organizational context, practices, and evaluative criteria. The project will examinehow characteristics associated with neurodivergent cognition — such as sustained attention, associativethinking, pattern recognition, and tolerance for ambiguity — relate to different stages of the innovation process, including idea generation, development, and implementation.The project combines an individual-level focus on cognitive characteristics with an organizational-level analysisof how structures, cultures, and practices shape whether and how these characteristics become relevant forinnovation, with particular relevance for knowledge-intensive and professional service contexts.
Societal RelevanceThe project addresses challenges related to labor market inclusion and social sustainability. Despite anestimated unemployment rate of around 40% among autistic adults, limited knowledge exists about howorganizational conditions shape opportunities for participation and contribution. By applying a neurodiversityperspective, the project focuses on the interaction between individual characteristics and organizationalenvironments. This includes how organizational design, work practices, and evaluative systems may create orreduce barriers to participation, and how inclusion may involve changes at both the individual andorganizational level.
A master’s degree or equivalent education in Organization, Leadership and Management studies,Organizational psychology or psychology are relevant to the position. Innovation studies are meriting.
The master’s degree must normally constitute 120 ECTS credits, including a master’s thesis of at least 30ECTS credits.
The grade of the master’s thesis must be B or better.o Candidates must have submitted their master’s thesis and received a grade of B or better by theapplication deadline.o Temporary transcripts of records and the master thesis must be included as part of theapplication.o The final diploma for the master’s degree must be available by the time of employment.
The master’s degree must be composed of 120 ECTS (or equivalent research experience), including amaster’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS, cf. NOKUT’s requirements for admission to PhD education and INN’sPhD regulations.
A strong academic background from your previous studies. The average grade should normally be B orbetter from the master’s program or equivalent education.
If you have an education from abroad, please attach documentation of recognition of foreign higher educationfrom the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. If the requested documentation is not possibleto obtain within the application deadline, an equivalent assessment can be made by INN University inconnection with the recruitment process.
Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s:
Academic and personal qualifications to complete doctoral education within the employment period.
Ability to work independently and purposefully, as well as to collaborate on research, publishing, andteaching tasks.
Being structured and having a high work capacity.
Demonstrating solid theoretical insight and interest.
Good oral and written proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language with a minimum of B2competence is required because fieldwork will take place in Norwegian or other Scandinavian basedorganizations.
There may be teaching opportunities in English as well as Norwegian.
In the evaluation and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:
The quality of the project proposal.
Documented independent research and development work or experience relevant to the project.
It is mandatory to attach a project proposal of 2000 words (see the section on “How to Apply” below).
Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement.
The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at University of Inland Norway. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.
We offer
An academically stimulating and supportive work environment at a developing institution.
Possibility of professional development in an exciting academic research environment.
The position is remunerated according to position code 1017 (PhD candidate) in the state’s wage regulations.
Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension andinsurance schemes.
For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.
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How to apply
Relevant applications will be considered by an expert committee. The application and all attachments are to besubmitted electronically and should include the following:
The applicant must submit a project proposal with a progress plan (in Norwegian or English, 2000 words)that explains how the research work will be carried out and addresses academic relevance, challengesand possibilities within the project. The proposal must be developed in line with the project descriptionoutlined above. The project proposal should also outline the theories and methods intended to be used.The project proposal plays an important role in evaluating applicants and must demonstrate how theproject will lead to the successful completion of a doctoral degree within three/four years. The PhDresearch fellow hired will, in collaboration with a supervisor, prepare a complete project proposal thatwill form the basis for admission to the PhD programme.
Application letter with a brief overview of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applyingfor the position.
CV (summarizing education, positions, and academic work)
Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas. An English translation of all education documents is requiredunless the documents are in Norwegian.
Other work that is relevant for the application
Names and contact information of at least two references.
A copy of the master’s thesis (in PDF)
Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.
General information
INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling.
We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
