Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Science and Technology Studies (STS)
Deadline: 12.04.2026
Publisert
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.
TIK Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture is a cross disciplinary unit at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo. TIK is home to 40 staff members working in research, education and research communication in innovation and science and technology studies (STS). A major part of TIK’s activity is externally funded research. TIK also offers postgraduate education; a PhD-programme and two Master programmes. The Centre also hosts OSIRIS - Oslo Institute for Research on the Impact of Science.
About the position
The Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK) at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a 3-year Post-doctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352). The position is affiliated with the research project APPROPRIATE – Licences to appropriate land for societal ends, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The post doctor will be based at the TIK Centre and affiliated with the TIK Centre’s STS research group.
The position encompasses possibilities for teaching tasks within TIK’s Ph.D., bachelor and master programs, including supervision of candidates and students within these programs, according to the TIK Centre’s needs and the candidate’s profile or interests. If such tasks are agreed upon, the contract will be extended accordingly.
About the project
The licensing system is a key arrangement in Norwegian environmental policy and is both a tool of democracy and a tool for the appropriation of land and natural resources for societal and economic ends. The goal of the APPROPRIATE project is to investigate the licensing system: how different valuation practices play out in planning and decisions making processes, how economic reasoning and other forms of expertise are taken into account, and how dilemmas and conflicts in processes towards accomplishing good licensing procedures are negotiated and handled. The licensing system will be analyzed with a point of departure in the contemporary situation, but will also study the licensing arrangement in its broader historical, political and economic context.
APPROPRIATE will focus on two empirical cases in particular: aquaculture and wind power. The post. Doc position is dedicated to the case of aquaculture . APPROPRIATE will work as a tight team where the PI will work with the project members on all the WPs, yet with clear distribution and responsibility of tasks. In addition to the PI and the postdoctoral fellow, the project will employ one PhD candidate.
More about the position
The postdoctoral fellow will have as its main responsibility WP1 on the case of aquaculture. Four research questions guide this WP: (1) How do licenses value the nature they set out to appropriate for societal ends? (2) How do economic reasoning and reasoning around the conditions of nature encounter and become weighed and valued against one another in licensing practices? (3) What are the economic and philosophical reasoning through which the licensing system is based and (4) how do this act upon the license-regime?
A more detailed description of the overall project and its theoretical foundations and methods can be retrieved by the PI, together with a more detailed outline of the work package on aquaculture. This will guide the applicants in developing their project proposal.
The post doctor will be collaborating closely with the PI and PhD candidate, including on other elements of the project proposal, such as workshops and dissemination activities.
A postdoctoral position is intended to help the successful candidate develop a research profile and competencies that qualify them to apply for a permanent position in academia. To this end, the main focus of this position is to conduct research, including publication and dissemination. In addition, the fellow is expected to actively contribute to the broader research agenda and academic environment of the APPROPRIATE project.
If the postdoctoral researcher does not already possess the teaching/pedagogical qualifications that meet the requirements for an associate professorship (incl. formal training), the department shall facilitate the acquisition of such qualifications during the employment period. Additionally, the position may provide other competencies relevant to the postdoctoral fellow’s future career.
To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are expected to submit a career development plan, specifying career goals and the competencies that the postdoctoral fellow should acquire, no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period. The department is responsible for ensuring that the plan is followed up and that the postdoctoral researcher has access to career guidance throughout the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship.
Selection criteria
Qualification requirements
Only candidates who have submitted their PhD before the closing date for this position can apply. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
Ph.D. in relevant areas of STS or other relevant social sciences or humanities.
Fluency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian knowledge as this is necessary for working with the empirical material upon which APPROPRIATE builds
A project description of high academic quality that describes how its research plan will contribute to the relevant WP and the overall project.
Documented experience with empirical research and the handling of empirical data.
Good cooperation skills
Preferred qualifications
A good publication record and well-developed research networks are meritorious.
Prior knowledge of the empirical subject area is an advantage
Documented knowledge of valuation studies and/or related sub areas of STS is an advantage
Documented interest in theoretical development of STS as a field of research are meritorious
The successful candidate is expected to take active part in activities like seminars and workshops at TIK. Residency in or close to Oslo is therefore expected.
Assessment
The evaluation of the candidates will be based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualifications - required as well as preferred - applicable to the position, including personal qualifications. The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.
The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the centre’s board and will be based on an evaluation of the overall qualifications of the shortlisted candidates as well as the centre’s needs.
We offer
Salary NOK 610 000 - 690 000 per annum depending on qualifications. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.
A pleasant and 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.
Individual mentoring and annual career development conversation based on the submitted career plan.
Various courses and workshops for supporting career development (e.g. on dissemination and presentation skills, op-ed writing, research project management, stress-management etc.).
Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
How to apply
The application must include
Application letter.
Project description and progress plan (no more than 5 pages) for the work to be undertaken during the term of appointment.
CV (summarising education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity).
A complete list of publications.
Up to three publications that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process.
Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
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).
We need different perspectives in our work
UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.
We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?
We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.
If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps, we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).
The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.
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.
