University of Oslo, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Section of Health, Developmental and Personality Psychology (HUP)

Job description

An open Ph.D. Fellow position in developmental psychology is announced at the Section for Health, Developmental and Personality Psychology (HUP). The HUP Section covers basic and applied research and teaching for the Bachelor, Master, Professional and PhD programs in health, developmental and personality psychology.

The HUP Section is divided into three Units: Health Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Personality Psychology and has a joint venture with the Promenta research Centre. The HUP Section has currently around 70 national and international permanent and non-permanent staff (circa 60% women, more than 20 different mother tongues). The Developmental Psychology Unit includes half-dozen of permanent academic staff (University Lecturer, Associate Professors and Professors) and several Associate Professor 20%, Researchers, Ph.D. and Post-Doc fellows.

The research domain of the position is open within the field of developmental psychology[1] providing that the main supervisor of the research project of the Ph.D. fellow is a member of the Developmental Psychology Unit (i.e. applicants should be in contact with one of the members of Unit to explore specific research collaborations before submitting their application). The position will offer opportunities to develop high-quality research competence within the field of developmental psychology, to work with experts in the field and to develop international collaborations.

The Ph.D. fellow must take part in the Ph.D. program approved by the Department of Psychology and is expected to complete her/his Ph.D. research project in the course of the period of employment.

The main goal of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a Ph.D. degree. For more information, see the following website: Doctoral degree: PhD in Social Science - Faculty of Social Sciences (uio.no)

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three or four years depending on the competence of the successful applicant and the teaching and administrative needs of the HUP Section. For a four-year appointment, teaching and administrative duties make up to 25% (lecture, seminar, supervision, exams, administration for the Section, etc.).

[1] Developmental Psychology might be defined as the study of the nature, causes and consequences of changes over time of psychological phenomena (cognitive, affective, social, linguistic, moral, aesthetical, etc.) by the mean of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian Master degree in psychology or equivalent (120 ECTS). The Master degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. Normally, a minimum grade C (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent is required. A Master degree in developmental psychology or equivalent will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicants must provide a Research project with the field of developmental psychology of max. 5 pages or 20 000 characters with spaces (excluding the list of references). The proposal should include the following sections: (i) background (including scientific originality and interest), (ii) objectives, (iii) implications (scientific and social), (iv) method, (v) plan, (vi) feasibility (including risk factors), ethical and open science considerations, (vii) budget, and (viii) the applicant’s contribution to the realization of the project. The name of the supervisor(s) has to be clearly reported at the beginning of the research project (the main supervisor has to be a member of the Developmental Psychology Unit of the HUP Section).
• Applicants must provide an Authorship declaration where they answer to the following questions: What is your independent contribution to the conception and writing of each of the different sections of your research project (i.e. section i to viii)? If you are not the sole author of your research project then who is/are the other co-author(s) (title, name, affiliation, e-mail) and what is her/his/their contribution to the conception and writing of each of the different sections of your research project (i.e. section i to viii)? The applicants must be the main author of their research project in line with the recommendations from the “Vancouver Declaration”. This authorship declaration has to be signed and dated by the applicant and any other co-author(s).
• Applicants must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Applicants must be able to work both independently and to cooperate with others, and be highly motivated.
• Previous quantitative and/or qualitative empirical research competence and experience will be considered as an advantage (e.g. as research assistant). If such competence and experience are within the field of developmental psychology or equivalent, that will be also considered as an advantage.
• Previous undergraduate and/or graduate teaching competence and experience, in situ and digital will be considered as an advantage (e.g. as teaching assistant). If such competence and experience are within the field of developmental psychology or equivalent, that will be also considered as an advantage.

In addition to the (a) educational background (i.e. master degree or equivalent), (b) the developmental psychology nature of the research project, (c) the main authorship of the research project, and (d) the affiliation of the main supervisor to the Developmental Psychology Unit of the HUP Section (necessary conditions), emphasis will be placed on the following criteria in the succeeding order to evaluate the applications: (1) research project quality (i.e. scientific originality and interest, methodological correctness, ethical appropriateness, feasibility and risk factors, social implications, open science compatibility), (2) English proficiency, motivation and personal suitability and qualifications, (3) previous empirical research competence and experience, and (4) previous teaching competence and experience. Academic achievements will be weighed against career stage and adjusted for parental or sick leaves. Interviews with the best qualified applicants might be arranged.

We offer

• salary NOK 482 200 - 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, position code 1017.
• 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:

• Letter of application explaining the motivation for applying and how the applicant’s qualifications are relevant for the position, as well as any other relevant information.
• A research project (see Requirements section for guidelines)
• A signed and dated Authorship declaration (see Requirements section for guidelines)
• A CV summarizing personal information, educations, positions, research records, teaching records, and any other qualifying information.
• A complete list of scientific publications and communications (including knowledge dissemination).
• Copies of educational certificates in English or in one of the Scandinavian languages (academic transcripts only).
• A list of three references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number). No letter of reference should be included in the application.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (with the exception of the educational certificates which might also be also in one of the Scandinavian languages).

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Head of Section: Francisco Pons (francisco.pons@psykologi.uio.no)
• Senior HR Officer: Linn Berg Salvesen (l.b.salvesen@psykologi.uio.no)

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