Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN University) is home to over 14,000 students and 1,000 employees, and has campuses in Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad and Blæstad.

INN University aspires to build strong and enduring academic environments that will seek to spearhead regional, national and international developments in its core areas of strength.

We are committed to further developing our academic research and pedagogical environments, with the aim of achieving university accreditation by 2020.

Our vision is "Stronger Together".

About the position

The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences is delighted to announce a temporary 100% Post-Doctoral position attached to the Schools, Learning and Mental Health Research Group (SL&MH-RG).

It is anticipated that the position will contribute to developing projects in relation to topics such as: (i) understanding how young people experience and cope with crises (for example, COVID-19 and climate change) and what role digital media might play; (ii) cross-cultural comparisons of children and young people living in Norway and Banda Aceh in relation to coping with crises (iii) understanding the mental health of young people in relation to promotion, prevention and recovery as they move through key transitions of life; (iv) the development of non-medical community-based programmes for promoting mental health, preventing distress and aiding recovery (such as ‘green care’ or use of nature more broadly). This list is illustrative of some of the interests of the group that could be supported and further developed but others are possible.

There are three key aspects to the post-doc role: (i) to contribute to the synergy and development of the group by networking internally and externally, (ii) to contribute to the development of others who are earlier in their research career through providing support (iii) to lead on the production of key outputs relating to project development and external funding, including others in the group in the process; (iv) to produce publications in a timely manner. While a strong collaborative commitment is required to be effective in this role, it is also important that the post-doc has initiative and good leadership skills.

The post-doc should be a strong quantitative researcher but one who also has some interest in working qualitatively and/or using mixed methods.

The position is temporary, for the period of 3 years.

Questions concerning the position may be directed to Professor Miranda Thurston, phone: +47 62 43 02 76 or e-mail: miranda.thurston@inn.no.

About the Schools, Learning and Mental Health Research Group:

The SL&MH-RG was established in 2016 to provide a focus and anchor for those working on the Norwegian Research Council-funded Schools, learning and mental health (SHP) project. More information about the project can be found here. Through this project, the research group has established strong international and national collaborative links, as well as productive cross-Faculty collaboration through joint project development, PhD supervision and publications. In particular, the research group has strong collaborative links with the Public Mental Health Research Group, led by Dr Børge Baklien.

The SL&MH-RG represents an interdisciplinary field spanning the natural and social sciences, applying them in various ways to the study of human life. It thus has a broad but coherent identity and is ‘home’ to a range of disciplines. As far as children and young people are concerned, we see them in developmental terms and as interdependent with an increasingly complex network of people as they transition through life. Early experiences strongly influence subsequent trajectories, especially in the case of education, learning and mental health. The research group is methodologically diverse and embraces study designs and methods from quantitative and qualitative paradigms.

In addition to the NFR-funded project, the research group has provided a forum for developing additional projects and has welcomed those working on new projects who share similar interests relating to the field. The current interests and activities are represented in th figure on the right, the inner larger circle representing core themes and the smaller circles on the outside representing different sub-groups. The opportunity to join the research group in this post-doctoral position thus comes at an important time in the group’s future development.

Qualifications

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• A PhD in a relevant subject (for example, in the field of education, mental health, public health sciences, social sciences, etc.).
• Publications in a relevant field.
• Strong skills in quantitative research.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong knowledge, understanding and appreciation of research ethics.
• Experience of working qualitatively and/or using mixed methods is desirable.
• Experience of carrying out research with schools and/or children and young people is also desirable.

Language skills:

• Good written and spoken English and Norwegian language skills.

• Candidates from non-english speaking countries have to present documentation of proficiency in the english language through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Personal competence:

• The person employed has to have the ability to work independently and show the ability and willingness to motivate and collaborate with the department's and faculty's employees, students and management.

Determination of which candidate is best qualified for the position is made after a comprehensive assessment of education, experience and personal compatibility and other qualification requirements as formulated in the vacancy text, as well as motivation for the position.

How to apply

The application should be written in English, and must include:

• Application letter
  • Application, CV, diplomas etc. are to be registered electronically via "Apply for position".
• Comprehensive overview of education, diplomas, work experience, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, acquisition work, coordination experience and other qualifying activities.
• Overview of externally funded projects.
• List of publications in the last five years.
• Up to 8 works for assessment.
• A short document (4 pages) giving a critical assessment of how the applicant would contribute to the further development of the research group.
• Please provide references in the application.

If you have any questions about uploading an attachment or other technical matters regarding the application, Jobbnorge customer service can be contacted. Contact information is provided as a link in the application form.

Relevant applications will be considered by an expert committee. Comprehensive CVs, certified copies of diplomas and certificates, publication lists and documents/works to be considered must be submitted as electronic attachments or links to the application.

Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview.

Requests for exemptions from the public applicant list must be clearly justified and stated via the electronic application form. Applicants will be contacted if INN University cannot comply with the request (cf. § 25 of the Freedom of Information Act).

The state workforce should, as far as possible, reflect the diversity of the population. It is therefore a personnel policy goal at INN University to achieve a balanced age and gender composition and to recruit people with an immigrant background. If necessary, the working conditions are adapted for persons with disabilities. If applicants declare in their CV that they have a disability, this information may be used for registration purposes in connection with the target employment numbers.

We offer

• An exciting and challenging job at a developing institution, dedicated colleagues and a supportive working environment
• The position’s salary follows position code 1352 Post-doctor in the state's wage regulations, determined according to competence and experience

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

Apply for position