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.
The Department embraces four disciplines: Philosophy, Classical Languages (Greek and Latin), History of Ideas and Art History.
The Department is also responsible for the introductory philosophy courses, obligatory for all students attending study programmes at the University of Oslo. The Department has about 110 employees.
About the position
Applicants are invited for a 3-year position as a postdoctoral researcher in applied philosophy on the topic of biodiversity modeling and governance, under the interdisciplinary Convergence Environment BioM at the University of Oslo (UiO).
Employment is scheduled to start in September 2026.
The BioM Convergence EnvironmentBioM - Methods for knowledge-based biodiversity monitoring and management under uncertainty - is an interdisciplinary Convergence Environment under UiO:Life Science, based at the Natural History Museum, and in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Biosciences and the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas. From Jan 1st 2026, UiO:Life Science is part of the Centre for Global Sustainability.
To respond effectively to the accelerating biodiversity crisis, society urgently needs decision-making systems that are scientifically robust, transparent about uncertainty, and responsive to ecological, ethical, and policy contexts. BioM will unite ecology, statistics, and philosophy to improve the modeling and governance of biodiversity under uncertainty. The project develops process-explicit, hierarchical models that capture key ecological dynamics, integrate diverse and incomplete data sources, and account for uncertainty in ways that are relevant to real-world management. At the same time, it addresses how models are used in practice – clarifying the assumptions they carry, how they influence decisions, and how they can be improved to better align with societal goals. This includes philosophical analysis of how evidence is constructed, how ethical trade-offs are handled, and how scientific advice is legitimized in policy.
BioM is committed to creating a high-quality, supportive environment for the training and development of PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows, including individually tailored career development plans with formal supervision and project-based learning tied to deliverables. Secondments, consortium meetings, and workshops will provide hands-on experience in collaborative modelling, scientific synthesis, and science-policy engagement – central to navigate the area of applied philosophy and transdisciplinary research more broadly.
More about the position
The postdoctoral fellow will be one of four recruitment positions in BioM filled simultaneously (parallel hires: 2 PhD fellows, in population ecology and statistics, and a postdoctoral fellow in spatial ecological modeling). This position will be affiliated to philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas (IFIKK) and the research group Science and Democracy (SciDem), led by Professor Cathrine Holst, and Centre for Philosophy and the Sciences (CPS). The postdoctoral fellow will carry out research on biodiversity modeling and nature governance, addressing the following aims (WP5 in BioM):
5.1 Critically assess the model-translation and device-making in contemporary nature governance.
5.2 Understand the role of such models in democratic decision making.
5.3 Propose improvements to the current management regime, including modelling practices. The fellow will develop a more detailed plan for how to approach and achieve these aims in cooperation with Professor Cathrine Holst (SciDem/IFIKK) and the leader of BioM, Professor Olav Skarpaas (Natural History Museum).
During the 3-years period the postdoc will collaborate closely with the project team (PIs, PhDs and postdoc), project partners and stakeholders on demographic analysis (WP2), ecological analysis (WP3), and modelling methods (WP4). The postdoc is expected to co-organize project workshops and seminars, and write a synthesis paper, co-authored by recruitment positions and project partners. The successful candidate shall allocate 10 % of normal working hours to career-enhancing work, such as teaching, outreach, and project management and organization.
The postdoc will be based at IFIKK most of the time, with shorter secondments to other departments at the University of Oslo involved in the project and includes opportunities for international exchange.
Qualification requirements
We are seeking a skilled early-career researcher with a strong interest in applied philosophy, modeling and nature governance. Candidates will be evaluated on relevant merits in applied philosophy and the philosophy of modeling and/or governance, as well as relevant interdisciplinary orientation and coordination skills.
Required qualifications:
PhD in philosophy or in a relevant area of social science, such as political science, political theory, political ecology, and environmental economics. (The applicant should demonstrate how the degree corresponds to the profile of the post).
Skills and motivation for organizing and running project activities such as workshops and joint papers
Desire for interdisciplinary collaboration and career development
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
Desired qualifications:
Competence in statistical modelling, or an interest in developing such competence
Competence in data science and programming languages, or an interest in developing such competence
Experience with interdisciplinary research
Experiences from interaction with public policy and management and with stakeholders
Knowledge of biodiversity governance, regulation and policies
Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish) as this is an advantage in outreach and in communication with local stakeholders
Personal skills
The successful candidate should also have:
Good communicational and relational skills
Ability and willingness to collaborate with other members of the project team and communicate with other staff, and with stakeholders
Interest in contributing to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
We offer
Salary NOK 595 000 – 676 900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
A dynamic and friendly working environment
Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
Attractive welfare benefits
Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
How to apply
The application must include:
An application letter including the candidate’s motivation for the position and how the position fits into later career plans
A CV that summarizes and documents education, previous and current positions, research profile and merits, pedagogical qualifications, and other qualifying activities; and that includes a list of all scientific publications, highlighting the most relevant ones and the applicant’s contribution to these
A one-page note with some initial ideas on how to approach BioM’s research aims under WP5 (see above)
Contact information for two reference persons (name, affiliation, e-mail address, and relation to candidate – no reference letters should be submitted)
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “apply for this job”). All documents should be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language. Interviews will be part of the appointment process.
Formal regulations
For formal regulations, see 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.
The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.
Inclusion and diversity are strengths. 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, at least one applicant from each of these categories will be invited to an interview.
