Center for Development and the Environment

Job description

A two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship is available at the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) at the University of Oslo in the period 1 February 2022 – 1 February 2024.

The fellowship is linked to a multinational project “Bridging Psychology with Societal Development Science: Fifty Countries Research into the Relation Between ‘Folk Theories of Societal Development’ and ‘Ideal Types of Well-being’". The Norwegian work package - “Norway as a Well-being Society” - involves an interdisciplinary, in-depth study of the relation between socio-economic development and the evolving ideas of – and aspirations to – well-being in Norway. The project is funded by the European Economic Area (EEA) grant-scheme, and includes a collaboration between SUM, the Polish Academy of Science, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and the departments of Psychology at, respectively, the University of Warsaw and the University of Oslo (Promenta Research Center).

More about the position

The prospective candidate should preferably have a background in psychology, sociology or related disciplines, and be open to engaging in interdisciplinary research involving a collaboration between psychologists, sociologists, cultural historians and journalists. The project aims to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods.

The Postdoctoral Fellow’s tasks include:

• Together with a junior researcher, preparing and conducting a series of interviews with key informants from a broad selection of social groups;
• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data with relevance to Norway as” a well-being society”
• Writing scholarly articles for publication in high-ranking international journals;
• Disseminating results at national and international conferences/seminars, as well as in popular-scientific media outlets;
• Sustaining and developing methodological skills through participation in seminars, scientific meetings, courses, and related events;
• Maintaining and facilitating national and international collaboration with relevant researchers and collaborators.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Ph.D. degree in psychology or sociology or related disciplines (strong candidates with a PhD dissertation accepted and defense pending will be considered)
• Skills in statistics and experience with software such as R or Stata are preferable but not imperative
• Experience in systematic reviews and meta-analysis is preferable
• Proficient English oral and writing skills and knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian language are a prerequisite

We offer

• salary NOK 526 000-608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• 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

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• Eventuelly project description, including progress plan (max. X pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• x numbers of academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• 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. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Nina Witoszek +47 986 77 974 (nina.witoszek@sum.uio.no)

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