Ledig stilling ved Universitetet i Bergen

Postdoc (3 years) at the Department of Comparative Politics: Politics of wage regulation

Deadline: 26.05.2019

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University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.


There are seven departments and three centres at Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral position at the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen, linked to research focusing on wage regulation, labour market policy, industrial relations, social policy, and comparative political economy. This position is for a period of 3 years, with a tentative start date in November 2019.

About the project/work tasks:

The successful applicant will conduct independent and collaborative research as part of the Norwegian Research Council funded project led by Professor Georg Picot “Bringing in the state: The politics of wage regulation and low-wage employment” (WAGEREG). The project will account for how states influence wage setting and how, in particular, they react to low-wage employment. It focusses on three policies: statutory minimum wages, regulation of collective bargaining, and public benefits to top up low wages. The project’s aims are to take stock of variation in these policies across developed states and to explain that variation using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who can contribute to the project while also conducting independent research related to the project theme. The research team will consist of this postdoc position, a PhD researcher, a research assistant and the Principal Investigator. Candidates are encouraged to contact the project leader for further details about the project, including a full project outline (georg.picot@uib.no).

Qualifications and personal qualities:

The successful candidate will be expected to live in Bergen, participate in the scholarly activities of the Department, and conform to the regulations that apply to the position.

The applicant must

  • hold a PhD in political science, sociology, social policy, industrial relations, or a closely related discipline. The PhD must be awarded before the start of the position.
  • have research experience within one or more of the following areas: comparative welfare state research, labour market policy, industrial relations, comparative political economy.
  • be able to work independently as well as in a team.
  • be proficient in both written and spoken English.
  • Knowledge of other West European languages is an advantage.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions.

The duration of this position is 3 years. 33% of the working time comprises duties for the department, such as teaching, supervision or administrative tasks. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.

Upon appointment, applicants must submit a project proposal for the qualifying work including a work schedule. The completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.

The successful candidate may apply for additional funding from the Norwegian Research Council for a research stay abroad of up to one year (Personal Overseas Research Grant). If successful (and in the past success rates were high), this would extend the total duration of the position to 4 years.

We can offer:

  • A great and professionally inspiring working environment.
  • Excellent opportunities for research and professional development.
  • Salary at pay grade 59 - 62 (code 1352) on the government salary scale upon appointment (equivalent to NOK 515 200 to 544 400 per year). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
  • An annual budget for conference visits and professional development.
  • Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
  • Good welfare benefits.
  • The city of Bergen - a unique mix of vibrant cultural life and extraordinary nature

About the application

The application must include a short outline of the research plans during this position (maximum 3 pages, including references). This should include two parts: (1) how the candidate envisages to contribute directly to the WAGEREG project; (2) the candidate’s independent research plans, which should still be clearly related to the topics of the WAGEREG project.

Your application must include:

  • A cover letter
  • CV
  • Outline of research plans (maximum 3 pages, including references),
  • The full text (pdf) of a maximum of five publications or working papers to be considered in the assessment (co-authored publications must be accompanied by declarations of co-authorship)
  • A list of all academic publications
  • The names and contact details of two reference persons. One of these must be the main supervisor of the PhD thesis.
  • Academic transcripts and diplomas
  • Other relevant certificates

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded to Jobbnorge.

The application has to be marked with: 19/4380

Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.

The closing date is May 26, 2019

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

  • Associate Professor Georg Picot, Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen: georg.picot@uib.no

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to Adviser - HR, Even Michal Endresen, e-mail: even.endresen@uib.no

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

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.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.

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