The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 26 500 students and 7 200 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (abbreviated IKOS from its Norwegian name) is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Humanities.
The Department has a broad competency in the study of religion and culture and in language based area studies of South Asia, East Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. IKOS also hosts the Oslo Center for Environmental Humanities (OCEH). The Department has several study programmes at both BA and MA levels. Among the Department's 110 employees about 32 are PhD and Postdoctoral Fellows.
Job description
A permanent position of Associate Professor of Chinese politics is available at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (IKOS), University of Oslo (UiO). IKOS comprises five sections covering cultural history and museology, the study of religion, and language-based Asian and Middle Eastern area studies. In the China/Korea section there are two lecturers in Chinese language and six associate and full professor positions with both a teaching and a research component.
The main research areas of the current staff cover broad areas of China studies, such as language and literature, history, religion, environment, education, migration, ethnic minorities, and Taiwan studies, in addition to one professor in Korea studies.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research, supervise MA and PhD candidates, participate in teaching and in exam setting and assessment at all levels, and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the department. In general, the candidate is expected to contribute to the objective in the University of Oslo’s strategic plan to “strengthen its international position as a leading research-intensive university through a close interaction across research, education, communication and innovation.”
Qualification requirements
PhD or equivalent academic qualifications in one or more academic disciplines relevant for the topic of contemporary Chinese politics, defined to include both the PRC’s domestic politics and policy implementations, and its transnational and global politics.
A demonstrated ability to use oral and written Chinese sources in research
The ability to use oral and written Chinese sources in courses taught at all levels
Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in a Scandinavian language will be an advantage.
Personal suitability and motivation for the position
The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:
Academic qualifications and academic production related to contemporary Chinese politics, with an emphasis on works published within the last five years. Originality and creative thinking will be weighted more heavily than quantity
Quality of international peer-reviewed publications
Experience with collaborative research projects
Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department
Pedagogical qualifications, documented results from teaching and supervision, and disposition to inspire students
Ability and willingness to participate in administrative tasks
Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
Experience with and ability to build international networks
Experience with popular dissemination and public outreach
In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed. Regarding academic production, quality, development potential and breadth will be prioritised in this order.
The successful candidate should demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. However, if an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, they are expected to reach proficiency equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) within two years. Within three years the appointee is expected to, in Norwegian, be able to actively participate in all functions the position may involve, including teaching. The Faculty of Humanities will aid and facilitate the appointee in reaching said proficiency.
We offer
Salary NOK 710 000 - 810 000 per annum depending on qualifications
The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage
Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
Application
The application must include:
Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interest)
Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications)
Complete list of published and unpublished works
Description of one or more research projects which may be relevant for the Department
A list of 3 reference persons which the department may contact (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number. Do not attach any letters of recommendation.)
Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language, either in the original or in translation.
Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range of qualifications and criteria described in the announcement of the post with concrete examples.
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”.
Selection procedure
As the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to ten publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Academic texts shall therefore not be enclosed with the application. Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last five years, to be considered as most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages. Applicants are also asked to submit an educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is anchored in the SoTL criteria described as keeping a focus on student learning, students’ development over time, a research approach to teaching, and a collegial attitude and practice.The most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview, a trial lecture, and possibly other assessment activities.
Within their normal duties and in accordance with their academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside their Department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the Department.
According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.
The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.
