Global challenges demand new insight, innovative solutions and local legitimacy. Nord University is a young university with strong regional ties and a global perspective. We are committed to delivering relevant educational programmes and research, with a focus on blue and green growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, and welfare, health and education. Nord University has 11,000 students and 1,300 employees at nine study locations in central and northern Norway.
The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV) educates social scientists and professionals who meet society’s need for innovation in welfare, development and communication. The Faculty offers a PhD in Sociology. The Faculty of Social Sciences has 1,800 students and 100 employees. The professional community is organised into the following divisions: Welfare and Social Relations; History, Culture and Media; Management and Innovation; and Environment, International Relations, the Arctic and Security (MINS).
Are you interested in the Arctic? Ready for a PhD?
About the position
Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, invites applications from outstanding candidates for a three-year PhD fellowship in Sociology. The Research Fellow will be affiliated to the project JUSTNORTH (EU Grant Agreement 869327). The successful candidate will need to be admitted to the Faculty’s PhD in Sociology.
The position is linked to the multi-disciplinary research group Environment, International Relations, the Arctic and Security (MINS). The research expertise in the division focuses on societal challenges such as climate change, environment, societal safety and management of natural resources in the North, as well as international relations and more.
The contract will be for a 3-year period without teaching. The successful candidate must be able to start the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer. The position is vacant from autumn 2021.
The position is to be located at campus Bodø. Compulsory residence is required for the position.
The principle supervisor will be JUSTNORTH’s project leader Dr. Corine Wood-Donnelly. Other supervisors will be chosen based on the thematic and methodological aspects of the candidate’s research plan.
About the project
Research project JUSTNORTH aims to assess the viability of economic development of the Arctic through sustainability and justice perspectives, while gaining insights on the positive and negative impacts, risks and benefits of key economic activities. The project is premised on the notion that an economic activity cannot be sustainable if it is viewed as ethically deficient by a stakeholder group.
The research seeks to create understanding on the potential for economic development in the North that is both sustainable and just by investigating how to reduce inequalities between Arctic stakeholders.
More information about the project is available at www.justnorth.eu
Project proposal
As an applicant, you must submit a preliminary project proposal for a doctoral project to be affiliated to JUSTNORTH, which explains the problem, relevance, theoretical and methodological approach to be addressed in the research. The proposal should also address the problem through interdisciplinary theories or research methodologies.
Projects which take into consideration science diplomacy, science communication, stakeholder engagement or co-production in relation to sustainable development and issues in the broader Arctic research environment will be prioritised.
Your preliminary project proposal will be included in the application assessment. The proposal should be written in English.
Qualification requirements
The applicant must hold a Master's degree in social science (e.g. Master in Sociology, Master in Social Work, Master in Politics and Social Change etc.) with an average mark of B or better in the European marking system (ECTS), or corresponding to a B average if other marking system is used. The applicant must hold a satisfactory theoretical and research prerequisite for completion of a doctoral degree in sociology. Applicants must document broad knowledge in social science theory and methodology. Applicants from outside EU/EEA must document a Norwegian recognition of their master’s degree.
Applications must provide documentary evidence to show that all the admission requirements for a PhD in Sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences have been met. Please refer to Nord University’s admission requirements on our website.
A description of your PhD project should be included as an attachment (see below). The final project description will be approved and regulated by agreement no later than 3 months after commencement in the position.
A good command of written and oral English is required for this position.
It is an advantage if applicants are proficient in written and oral Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:
Project description containing a description of the project concept and implementation plans.
Analytical skills and good knowledge about research methods relevant to the proposed project.
Professional and personal skills needed for completing the degree within the timeframe.
Ability to work independently, be innovative and creative.
Ability to work in a structured way and handle a demanding workload.
Relevant experience of research work will be an advantage.
We offer
The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, LR 20, NOK 482.200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.
The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.
The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.
If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.
Contact information
Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:
Programme coordinator PhD in Sociology, Professor Berit Skorstad, phone +47 75 51 73 04, e-mail berit.skorstad@nord.no
For administrative matters, Advisor Ada K. Mathisen, phone +47 75 51 75 11, e-mail ada.k.mathisen@nord.no
Application process
Applicants will be evaluated by an expert committee. Short-listed applicants will be called for an interview. Both will be decisive for the appointment.
The Faculty reserve the right to not offer employment to applicants who are scientifically qualified, but to whom it is unable to offer satisfactory guidance.
Application
Applications must be submitted electronically by the 20th of August 2021.
The application should include:
An application letter containing a description of your motives for applying for the position.
A complete CV (education, work and teaching experience, and details about any scientific publications).
Certified copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and any other relevant certificates.
A 5-10 page project description, providing details about your ideas for your PhD project, theoretical basis, methodical approach and progress schedule.
The names and contact details for 1-3 referees (name, your relationship with the person, e-mail and phone number).
Any other activities that are considered to be relevant for the position and which you would like to be taken into account during assessment.
Applicants with Master’s degrees from non-EU/EEA countries must attach NOKUT approval.
All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.
After the application deadline, an applicant list will be announced publicly. Applicants asking for confidentiality must specifically explain the reasons for this in their application. Even so, the information can be published if the reasons for confidentiality are not found relevant. In such case, an applicant will be given notice prior to the announcement, and he/she will have opportunity to withdraw the application.
