Job description

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a PhD research fellow (SKO 1017).

The position is for a period of three years without compulsory work or four years with 25% compulsory work (primarily teaching).

Foto: Colourbox

More about the position

The PhD fellow will be part of the research project Weaving the fabric of Elite Bonds (WEB) which is headed by Maren Toft. The fellow is expected to pursue independent research under supervision, as outlined in their submitted project proposal.

WEB investigates how social networks are linked to family dynasties and elite power. The project investigates the social cohesion of Norwegian elites, the level of circulation and integration between different parts of the elite, how marriage and kinship ties are related to business and organizational networks, and how networks are implicated in the life-chances of elites. The project is organized in two work packages that concern i) the role of patrimony in business networks, and ii) elite cohesion and elite circulation. The proposal for a PhD project must engage explicitly with one or multiple topics raised in WEB.

The position requires participation in the Faculty of Social Sciences' organised research education programme (PhD programme) and the completion of a doctorate in sociology. The candidate who is hired will automatically be admitted to the PhD programme. Residence in Norway is expected, but a research stay abroad during the fellowship period is encouraged.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria

Applicants will be assessed on the quality of the project proposal, the quality of the master’s thesis and the applicant’s personal prerequisites to carry out the project. The hiring process will include an interview.

• Applicants must have a master's degree/second-level degree in sociology or equivalent. Applicants are expected to demonstrate through their application letter and project proposal how they will contribute to the research project. Applicants from other disciplinary backgrounds than sociology who wish to apply must demonstrate in their application letter that their educational background, master’s thesis and project proposal qualify them for research within the fields of class analysis or the sociology of elites.
• The master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. Applicants must have a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The master's thesis must have been submitted before the application deadline. A prerequisite for taking up the position is the successful completion of a master’s degree.
• The applicant must provide a tentative description (4-8 pages) of a PhD research project that she or he plans to carry out during the fellowship period. Applicants are expected to be able to complete the project during the appointment period.
• Applicants should have experience within class analysis and/or the sociology of elites.
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the department’s board and will be based on an evaluation of the overall qualifications of the shortlisted candidates as well as the department’s needs.

We offer

• Salary at pay rate 54-59, NOK 491 200-534 400 per annum, depending on qualifications
• An academically stimulating working environment
• 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

• A letter of application. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research project
• A project proposal (4-8 pages). The proposal must include research questions, theoretical framework, methodology and research design as well as a time-line for completion of the research
• CV with full summary of education, practice and academic work. The period of enrollment (admission-completion) in the master's study programme must be specified
• Academic transcripts (university degrees only)
• Copy of master's degree diploma
• Master's thesis. Please note that your thesis must be uploaded and registered as an "Attachment" in the electronic application
• Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. This may be uploaded as an “Attachment"
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Please note that all documents must 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.

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

Please refer to our Q&A web page before you make personal enquiries.

Principal Investigator, Maren Toft. All questions regarding the content of the project and the project proposal should be directed to her.

Administrative Head of Administration, Inger-Lise Schwab.

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