About the position

ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a 4-year research fellowship as PhD candidate (SKO 1017) within political science, sociology or other relevant social science fields. The research fellow will contribute to ongoing research at ARENA on judicial politics and the rule of law in Europe.

ARENA Centre for European Studies is a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Oslo, studying the direction, dynamics and sustainability of the evolving European political order. The Centre has conducted research on political, economic, legal and social integration, transformation and cooperation in Europe since 1994. As a member of the ARENA team, you will be part of a professional international and multidisciplinary research centre with extensive experience in coordinating international research projects and networks financed by European and Norwegian research funding institutions. More information about ARENA is available at www.arena.uio.no

Job description

We seek a highly motivated and qualified PhD candidate to write their doctoral thesis on a theme related to European judicial politics (broadly defined). Possible research topics include; judicial independence, politicization of courts, legal mobilization, judicial behavior, compliance with courts’ decisions, trust in courts, the design of judicial institutions.

Depending on the topic chosen, the selected candidate may be connected to ongoing projects at ARENA, focusing on judicial politics and the rule of law in Europe, led by Professor Daniel Naurin. This includes the IUROPA research program, which studies the interaction between courts, society and politics in the European Union. For more information about the IUROPA program, see here.

It also includes the ENROL project, focusing on the European Union’s handling of its rule of law crisis in the wake of democratic backsliding in some of its member states. For more information about the ENROL project, see here.

Both these projects comprise devoted teams of scholars in Norway, Europe and the USA, with a background in law and political science.

More about the position

As a PhD research fellow, you will have your base at ARENA Centre for European Studies. You will be expected to be present in Oslo and to participate in ongoing activities at ARENA. You will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo.

The PhD fellowship is for four years, including 25% teaching at the faculty and/or other duties at ARENA.

It is a fulltime salaried position, starting in September 2022 (or at a mutually agreed-upon date).

You will be provided with office equipment and services as well as necessary resources for research related field work and travel.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Master’s degree in Social Sciences (which meets the requirements of enrolment in the PhD-program) before taking up the position.

ARENA’s working language is English. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are therefore required.

In assessing the candidates, particular emphasis will be placed on (1) submitted writing samples, (2) the quality and relevance of the project proposal, (3) other academic qualifications (including transcripts or other previous merits), (4) recommendations. Finally, personal suitability and motivation will be taken into consideration.

Potential candidates will be invited for an interview.

We offer

• A salary of NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum, depending on qualifications, in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)

• An academically stimulating and international research environment combined with a friendly and inclusive work environment

• A good work-life balance and access to Norway's excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare

• Attractive welfare benefits, including a generous pension agreement

• The city of Oslo: A unique mix of vibrant city life and extraordinary nature with rich opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities.

Information for international applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. To give you an idea of what we and Oslo have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner, please visit here and here.

How to apply

The online application must include:

1. A cover letter of 1000 words maximum (approx. 2 pages). The letter should consist of four paragraphs in the following order:

a) a short presentation of yourself,

b) a short presentation of your merits,

c) a short presentation of the intended research project and

d) a short account of why ARENA and/or the IUROPA and ENROL projects are of interest to you.

2. A project proposal of 2500 words maximum (approx. 6 pages), excluding bibliography, indicating your research interests and planned focus area. The project description must demonstrate familiarity with previous research within the relevant area of the call, an ability to formulate scientific problems and to specify a relevant research design and methods.

3. A CV summarizing your education, any academic employments or other qualifying activities and publications you may have. The period of enrolment (admission – completion) in the master programme you have attended must be specified.

4. Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts from university degrees only).

5. Up to two writing samples (e.g. your master’s thesis or published articles). Please note that there is no separate prompt for uploading such documents in the application portal. These must therefore be uploaded as separate “Attachments”.

6. Names and contact details of two persons from whom recommendation letters may be solicited. You should indicate your relation to these persons. Please do not submit any recommendation letters before we contact you and explicitly ask you to.

The application and all supporting documents must be must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”.

International applicants are advised to attach an official explanation of their University's grading system, translated into ECTS. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information regarding the position, please contact:

• Daniel Naurin, Professor, Director of ARENA
• Ida Hjelmesæth, Admininstrative director

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