Sino-Norwegian Center for Research on Society and Environment (SINORSE)

Job description

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in China Studies is available at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo.

The fellowship is a 4-year position including 25% working time for the newly established Sino-Norwegian Center for Research on Society and Environment (SINORSE), which is a collaboration between University of Oslo (UiO) and Zhejiang University (ZJU), China. Within four years’ time, the candidate will submit a Ph.D. thesis while continuously working for SINORSE in close collaboration with the directors at UiO and ZJU.

The Ph.D. project will be directly connected to one or several ongoing SINORSE research projects in China Studies at IKOS regarding a) local political and societal adaptions to climate change in China, b) spiritually based environmental movements in China, India and Taiwan, and/or c) cultural, social and environmental aspects of household energy consumption in China. The Ph.D. thesis may be in the form of a monograph or article based, and it needs to include sections based on social science fieldwork related to environment and/or climate in Chinese society, as well as text based studies of e.g. Chinese media debates related to climate change, policy making and implementations related to climate change and/or environmental governance, or other forms of text based studies. The candidate will be based at the University of Oslo, IKOS, and conduct anthropological fieldwork as well as other forms of data collection in China, mainly in the province of Zhejiang where SINORSE is based. The candidate will be an active member of the research environment in China Studies, of the broader SINORSE research environment, and at IKOS.

25% of the 4-year position is dedicated to work for SINORSE.

This includes:

• Work closely with the directors of SINORSE at UiO and ZJU in building the center
• Help building and maintaining networks of scholars from ZJU and UiO connected to SINORSE
• Collect and edit Chinese and English material for the seasonal newsletter of SINORSE
• Practical tasks related to yearly workshops and other activities in SINORSE
• Translation work English/Chinese for SINORSE
• Limited teaching or teaching assistance related to SINORSE topics in China Studies, UiO

The person appointed will be affiliated with the Faculty's organized research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. Read more about the doctoral degree.

The appointment is for a duration of 4 years.

Qualification requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent in Asia Studies, China Studies or a social science discipline with a focus on China. The Master's degree must have been obtained and the final evaluation must be available by the application deadline.
• The Master thesis must have been written in English.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Chinese, including the ability to translate between Chinese and English.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.
• Documented experience with doing fieldwork in China, including interviews, organization of surveys, and team work.
• Knowledge of the research environments and structures at both UiO and ZJU is an advantage.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programs at the University of Oslo, applicants must, as a minimum, have completed a five-year graduation course (Master’s degree or equivalent), including a Master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS. In special cases, the Faculty may grant admission on the basis of a one-year Master course following an assessment of the study program’s scope and quality.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• The project's scientific merit, research-related relevance and creative qualities
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete research training
• Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities
• The applicant’s ability to successfully perform the working tasks related to SINORSE

Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
• Transcript of records of your Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university's grading system
• Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3 - 5 pages, see Template for project descriptions)

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Educational certificates, master theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works later.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

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.

Contact information

For questions about the position:

• Professor in China Studies and UiO director of SINORSE, Mette Halskov Hansen

For questions on how to apply:

• HR-Officer Steffen Remvik

Apply for this job