Blindern og Urbygningen (Foto: Wikimedia og Colourbox)
Project Manager - Department of Sociology and Human Geography
Deadline: 15.04.2024
Publisert
Do you want to contribute to interdisciplinary research on future energy issues?
Universitetet i Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Department of Sociology and Human Geography is Norway's leading department for both Sociology and Human Geography. The Department offers four Bachelor's and three Master's programmes. Research, teaching and dissemination activities within both fields are of the highest level. The Department is renowned both for the breadth of topics and methodologies employed and for its highly qualified researchers. Gender balance among the academic staff is an important distinguishing feature. The Department has 35 permanent academic staff, nearly 40 doctoral and post doctoral research fellows and 14 administrative staff members. There are approximately 80 PhD. candidates and 1500 students enrolled in the Department.
The project leader position is central to an interdisciplinary research project, UNRULY SUSTAINABILITY: Unruly Sustainability Challenges: addressing uncertainty in governing energy transitions, funded by UiO:Energy and the Environment. The position will support the lead investigator and postdoctoral fellow in management, networking and communication in relation to project activities.
UNRULY SUSTAINABILITY pilots a novel approach to the study of uncertainty in energy transitions by working across social science, energy systems analysis, mathematics, musicology and conservation science to explore the limits of prediction and management in both societal and ecological applications. Theoretically, the UNRULY SUSTAINABILITY examines ‘chaotic’ processes, those without stable probability patterns, to probe material and epistemic uncertainties, or what the project defines as ‘unruly’ processes. Dynamics that underpin energy justice concerns rarely exhibit stable probability patterns. Assuming they do can lead to failed outcomes—like dams bursting or further marginalising vulnerable people. The project aims to generate new methodologies for evaluating how uncertainty shapes the way uncertainty shapes energy justice concerns and outcomes of renewable energy projects.
The TRG team is comprised of colleagues from University of Oslo representing three different faculties (Social Science, Mathematics, Humanities), international affiliate researchers, and an advisory board of international academic leaders. The project includes interdisciplinary, international team members and networking is a core aspect of the work.
The project leader has responsibility for a number of administrative tasks, but may also involve some scientific support services. The working language is English. We are looking for someone who has experience of working with academic staff on a research project. Skills collaborating with researchers and administrative colleagues and enjoying teamwork as part of everyday work as well as an ability to work independently are vital to the position.
More details about the position
The project leader will be involved in supporting the lead investigator and post-doctoral fellow in coordinating the project team and managing project activities.
The administrative tasks include:
Coordination and administrative responsibility for implementation of specific project activities
Follow-up of milestones in the project
Internal and external communication
Networking nationally and internationally and communication with stakeholders
Information work, including website maintenance (content production and publicist function)
Planning and implementation of conferences and seminars
Some editorial work and processing of data
Assistance with reporting
Cooperation with the research advisor in connection with budget
Coordination with the lead investigator and research advisor on future applications
Other tasks may be added to the position
Qualifications
The project leader will work closely with the lead investigator and therefore must have the following qualifications:
MA degree from a university or college, documented experience may replace the education requirement
Relevant experience from similar administrative work related to research
Experience organising logistics for workshops or conferences
Experience editing academic work
Working knowledge of budgeting
Outstanding English skills
Ability to learn software databases for tracking qualitative data (Zotero, Obsidian, NVivo, etc)
The following are desirable skills:
Good knowledge of and interest in social science research
Understanding of decolonial and anti-colonial concerns for research and knowledge production
Experience working as a research assistant
Experience using Trello or other project management software tools
Knowledge of Obsidian software for note taking and analyzing data and insights generated in the project
Knowledge of Zotero bibliographic software
Knowledge of research ethics issues, privacy and data handling
Experience publishing either academic or popular science work
Personal skills
The position requires the following personal skills:
A proactive and open working practice that enables you to handle several complex processes at the same time.
Ability to work on a diverse research team
Drive and ability to work independently
Good collaboration and communication skills and an interest in building relationships.
We offer
Salary NOK 557 100 - 624 500 per annum depending on qualifications
A professionally 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
How to apply
The application must include:
Application letter. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background and experience are relevant for the position.
CV (summarizing education and positions)
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 recruiting system.
Formal regulations
Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.
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.
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.
