Associate Professor (20 % secondary post) in ERC Project, Department of Social Anthropology
Deadline: 26.05.2026
Publisert
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
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Associate professor
The Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Bergen invites applications from a legal scholar with academic qualifications equivalent to associate professor to join the cross-disciplinary project GENMAR (In/visible women of the sea- Gendering fishery politics and advocacy) for a 20 % secondary post per year for a four-years period. Qualified candidates must hold a permanent position (minimum 50 %) at an organization other than UiB.
The position is fully funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the project GENMAR (2026–2031). Together with the PI, the legal scholar is expected to develop and conduct an anthropological-legal interdisciplinary case study in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in relevant policy institutions of the European Union.
The aim of the case study is to develop innovative research strategies for exploring socio-legal orders and policy development processes in fisheries through methodological and theoretical collaboration between anthropology and legal studies. However, the case study is integrated into the overall research framework and lines of inquiry of the GENMAR-project.
About the project/ work tasks:
The GENMAR-project will advance empirical and theoretical knowledge about why and how women are continuously marginalized in the fishery sector.
Current research shows that fisherwomen’s roles and contributions are not only habitually underrecognized, but they are also often excluded from governance- and management processes and lack social and economic rights. However, we know little about how gender equality policies- and recommendations in fishery are negotiated through political- and advocacy systems. Further, in the face of increased attention to the issue, little is known of where and why it loses momentum in political systems. Moreover, women’s role and agency in fishery politics, advocacy and governance is an understudied field, offering limited knowledge of how and why their struggles are hindered.
GENMAR’s research objective is situated at the intersection of these three knowledge gaps. The project will develop a multi-sited, multi-scalar, comparative and theorized ethnography of gender inequality, gender advocacy and gender policies in fisheries in Spain, Brazil, Tanzania and Thailand, and a case study of fishery policy in the EU-commission and the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Theoretically, the project draws on the existing literature about the gendering of fisheries, in dialogue with gender studies, social science concept analysis, legal anthropology and anthropological approaches to the state, organizations, law and policy. Methodologically, the project draws on ethnographic fieldwork, extended interviews, focus groups, document- and media studies, and law- and policy analysis.
Develop a case study in collaboration with the PI, including developing research questions and methodological procedures, conduct a literature review in legal anthropology and other interdisciplinary bodies of literature thematically relevant to the project, and conduct desk studies of policies, legal instruments, reports and policy recommendations.
Conduct collaborative ethnographic institutional fieldwork together with the PI in FAO and EU offices (two field visits, approx. 14 days each).
Collaborate with the GENMAR project team in developing innovative and ambitious lines of inquiry, joint research questions, literature reviews and theoretical frameworks
Collaborate with the GENMAR project team in discussing, analyzing, theorizing and comparing research data from the different case studies.
Actively participate in research, publication, and dissemination activities of GENMAR
Present research at project workshops and conferences, and international conferences
Co-produce at least two book chapters with the PI
Follow the highest standards of data management and ethical protocols and procedures in alignment with ERC requirements
Contribute to updating the project website and to communicating research findings to the public when appropriate
Qualifications and personal qualities:
Required qualifications
PhD in law or legal studies
An academic track record demonstrating knowledge of European fishery law, gender equality in EU policy, gender, fishery and policy development more broadly, or related thematic fields.
Interest in developing an interdisciplinary case study, familiarize oneself with the disciplinary tenets of social anthropology, and to actively contribute to developing new and innovative methods and analytical approaches to interdisciplinary studies of fishery policy and gender equality
Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate clearly
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
The successful candidate is expected to visit Bergen for project workshops and conferences, and to communicate digitally regularly with the project team
Desired qualifications
Prior experience with working in an interdisciplinary team and/or with qualitative methods.
Prior experience from participating in large research projects
We can offer:
A four-years 20 % secondary post within an ERC-funded research project
Gross annual salary as Associate Professor, code 1011, of NOK 757 600 – 797 000. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
Personal funds for fieldwork, workshops and conference attendance, and project-related travels to Bergen
Being part of a tightly integrated, ambitious and collegial project group
A dynamic and internationally recognized departmental research environment, with a strong portfolio on marine- and ocean research
Your application must include:
Applicants must upload the following documents in English or a Scandinavian language via Jobbnorge:
Cover letter (max 2 pages), including an outline of how the applicant’s academic track record matches GENMAR’s thematic focus and a statement of motivation
A case study outline (max. 3000 words excluding references) of proposed lines of enquiry, literature suggestions, and methodological reflections. This does not need to be fully developed as the PI and the successful candidate will jointly develop the details of the case study in the first phase of the project
Curriculum vitae (CV) including education, positions, research experience, methods training, and other qualifying activities
A list of publications
Two academic writing samples in English (e.g., book chapter or research article)
Contact details of three referees (reference letters not needed at this stage)
Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an interview.
General information:
Application deadline: May 26, 2026. Applications sent by e-mail or without requested documents will not be considered.
Starting date: January 1, 2027, at the latest.
For questions about the position, please contact Iselin Åsedotter Strønen: Iselin.stronen@uib.no
Practical questions about the application process can be directed to HR adviser Gudrun Horvei: Gudrun.horvei@uib.no
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
