Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of Psychology

Section for Methodology, Work-, Cultural-, and Social Psychology (MAKS)

The Position

A PhD Research Fellowship is available in the Section of Methodology, Work-, Cultural-, and Social psychology (MAKS) at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. The position is linked to the Culture, Society & Behavior Lab (CSB Lab). The goal of the CSB Lab is to understand how cultural and societal phenomena psychologically influence humans and vice versa. The lab is interdisciplinary and offers a stimulating, inclusive and highly-productive academic environment.

More about the position

The current position is linked to the project “Psykososiale Helseeffekter av Sosialt Mediebruk blant Ungdom [SoMe&U]“ [Psychosocial health effects of social media use among adolescents]. Its main objective is to empirically investigate the positive and negative consequences of online social media use on the psychological health and social inclusion of adolescents. The project uses a mixed methods design that involves qualitative interview studies but in particular quantitative longitudinal social network analysis.

The study will offer opportunities to develop high-quality research competence and to work with leading experts in the field. The PhD candidate is expected to conduct the research as outlined by the project description. This involves, besides others, finalizing of the research designs, being responsible for application for ethical approval, comprehensive in-person data collection in schools at various time points, analyses of data primarily using advanced social network analyses, and preparation of publications. The PhD candidate will in this process be supervised by Associate Professor Jonas R. Kunst and co-Supervised by Professor Espen Røysamb. In addition, the project involves collaboration with Professor Ståle Pallesen from the University of Bergen and Professor John F. Dovidio from Yale University.

The fellowship is for a period of 3 years. A 4th year can be considered with the addition of 25 % teaching requirement, depending on the competence of the applicant, and the needs of the Department. The research fellow must take part in the Department’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The position is financed by Stiftelsen Dam and the project was applied for and will be conducted in collaboration with the organization Mental Helse Ungdom (https://mentalhelseungdom.no/). Stakeholder and user involvement are, thus, inherent parts of the project, and the candidate is expected to be active in this regard.

For further questions about the position and a summary of the project, please contact associate professor Jonas R. Kunst (j.r.kunst@psykologi.uio.no).

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in psychology or related fields. Only applicants with grade points A or B on the ECTS scale will be qualified for admission to the PhD program
• Excellent statistical skills, preferably documented through thesis work, publications and courses, and a strong motivation to learn new quantitative methods.
• Experience with recruitment and testing of research participants
• Fluent English communication skills, orally and in writing, and working-competency in a Scandinavian language

Preferable qualifications

• Interest and experience in research on social media and/or wellbeing and mental health, including related concepts such as affect/emotions. Experience with research on adolescents can also be an advantage.
• Experience with quantitative social network analysis, longitudinal data analysis, and/or mixed-methods
• Competence on the role of cross-cutting issues relevant to the project (e.g., ethnicity and gender)
• Enthusiasm for the topic
• Ambitions for high-quality research within the project, as evidenced by the required letter of application, explaining the motivation for applying and how own qualifications are suitable for the announced position
• Personal suitability, motivation and willingness to collaborate with academics from diverse backgrounds
• Experience with software such as R, Stata, Mplus or SPSS.

Personal skills

• Creative thinking and analytic abilities
• High motivation and ambitions, and strong work ethics
• Ability to work collaboratively in groups and independently

In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed upon the quality of the candidate's academic qualifications. Interviews with selected candidates will be arranged where the applicant's personal prerequisites and cooperative skills will be emphasized.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• Professional development in a stimulating academic environment
• Comprehensive PhD program
• Favorable pension agreement
• Social welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must be submitted through the online application system and must include:

• Cover letter statement of background, motivation, research interests and how own qualifications are suitable for the announced position (1-2 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae summarizing education, positions and academic work
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications, academic works and conference presentations (if any)
• 1 sample of independent academic writing (e.g., publications, theses, if any)
• Names and contact details of at least two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Documented fluency in a Scandinavian language unless the candidate can document completed elementary, secondary and/or high school in a Scandinavian school or a school where a Scandinavian language is the primary language of instruction.

International applicants must attach an explanation of their University's grading system and are advised to apply for NOKUT's general recognition of higher education. All documents should be in a Scandinavian language or English.

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in 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

• Associate Professor Jonas R. Kunst: j.r.kunst@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of administration: Birgitte Bøgh-Olsen: birgitte.bogh-olsen@psykologi.uio.no

Apply for position