About the position 

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a research fellow (SKO 1017) in human geography. The position is for a period of three years without compulsory work or four years with 25% compulsory work (primarily teaching).

The department is ranked as the premier academic research institute in human geography in Norway, conducting top international research while offering high quality education for students. The department is renowned both for the breadth of topics and methodologies employed and for its highly qualified researchers.

More about the position 

We seek candidates with the potential to contribute to the development of human geography as a discipline at the department. The fellow is expected to pursue independent research under supervision, as outlined in their submitted project proposals. We value the contribution of young scholars to the academic environment and study programmes at the department and encourage candidates with a desire to participate actively in departmental life to apply. 

Applicants should have research interests that resonate with ongoing research at the department. We currently have strong research communities in the fields of urban studies, sustainable transformations, work, organisations and politics, social inequality, migration, integration and diversity, cultural and political participation, population dynamics. Human geographers are also engaged in economic and political geography. The call is not thematically limited to these topics, but preference can be given to candidates with projects that align with the department’s supervisory capacity. Applicants are expected to demonstrate through their application letter and project proposal how they will contribute to the development of human geography at the department.

The position requires participation in the Faculty of Social Sciences' organised research education programme (PhD programme) and the completion of a doctorate in human geography. The candidate who is hired will automatically be admitted to the PhD programme. 

Residence in Norway is expected, but PhD fellows are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period. The starting date will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria

Applicants will be assessed on the quality and relevance of the project proposal, their academic grades and their academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. The hiring process will include an interview. 

• Applicants must have prior education that corresponds to 5 years at the university level in Norway, with two years (120 ECTS) at the master’s level. If the scope of education at the master’s level is less than two years, an individual assessment may be made. 
• Applicants must have average grades of A or B in their master’s degree. 
• Applicants must have native or near-native competence in English or a Scandinavian language. Applicants who have completed their education outside of the EU/EEA-area and who do not have English as a native language, must document language skills as documented by:
  • TOEFL – with a minimum result of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 80 on the Internet-Based Test (iBT) OR
  • IELTS – International English Language Testing Service, with the result 6.0.

How to apply

• Application letter. Please state your motivation and research interests. 
• A tentative project proposal (5-10 pages). The proposal must include the topic, relevant theory and methods and timeline. The proposal should include an explicit account of how the project contributes to the development of human geography at the department. Applicants are expected to be able to complete the project during the appointment period. Guidelines to writing a project proposal: Guidelines for the project proposal when applying for admission - Faculty of Social Sciences
• CV with full summary of education, practice and academic work (including any publications). The period of enrolment (admission-completion) in the master's study programme must be specified.
• Applicants with a one-year master’s degree must submit an appeal for an individual assessment (max 1 page) in which they demonstrate that they have completed research work equivalent to at least half a year’s relevant scientific workload.
• Academic transcripts (university degrees only).
• Copy of master's degree diploma.
• Applicants submitting transcripts from non-Norwegian institutions are advised to include an explanation of their university's grading system. This may be uploaded as an “Attachment.”
• TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable. These may be uploaded as an “Attachment.”
• Documents should be uploaded in the order presented above. Please submit documents individually and name them accordingly, e.g. Letter of application, Project proposal, CV, etc. Do NOT submit supporting documents as a single, combined file.

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position". Please note that all documents must be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the department’s board and will be based on an evaluation of the overall qualifications of the shortlisted candidates and the department’s needs.

We offer

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• An academically stimulating work environment 
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 551 000 to 594 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Contact persons

Please refer to our Q&A web page before making personal enquiries. Requests to review proposals or supporting documents prior to the closing deadline will not be accommodated. 

• Administrative Head of Department, Inger-Lise Schwab

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