Section for Methodology,- Work-, Cultural and Social Psychology

Job description

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. For more information, please see here.

More about the position

The current position is part of the international project “From apathy to violent extremism: Motivational foundations of political engagement.” Its main objective is to establish the empirical foundation for a comprehensive motivational model of political behavior that can explain diverse types of political action of differing extremity, and help understand past and present political movements. The project combines a rich variety of methods, including qualitative interviews, field studies, cross-sectional investigations, lab experiments and longitudinal studies that will be conducted primarily in Poland and Norway with different activist and non-activist populations.

The PhD candidate is expected to conduct the research as outlined by the project description. This involves, besides others, applying for and obtaining ethical approval, developing study designs, recruiting and testing of participants, analyses of data, and preparation of publications and presentations at conferences. The project involves close collaboration between the University of Oslo and Jagiellonian University in Cracow. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Professor Jonas R. Kunst (University of Oslo) and co-supervised by Professor Katarzyna Jaśko (Jagiellonian University). International project collaborators include Professors Arie Kruglanski (University of Maryland) and John F. Dovidio (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 the Norwegian Research Council and the Polish National Science Centre.For further questions about the position, please contact professor Jonas R. Kunst.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in psychology. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS with a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent.
• Solid theoretical and methodological background in the psychological study of political action including its extreme forms.
• Solid experience with conducting advanced statistical analyses (e.g., structural equation modelling, multi-level modelling, network analyses) in R or comparable advanced statistical software, documented through thesis work and/or publications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• 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

Preferable qualifications

• Experience with recruitment and testing of research participants
• Personal suitability, motivation and willingness to work collaboratively in groups and independently
• Experience with the academic publication process, for instance, as documented through submitted or published manuscripts
• Strong creative thinking and analytic abilities
• High motivation and ambitions, and strong work ethics

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

• a salary of NOK 479 600 - 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications.
• professional development in a stimulating academic environment
• Comprehensive PhD program
• Favorable pension and 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 (if any)
• 1 sample of independent academic writing (e.g., publication, if any; thesis)
• Names and contact details of at least two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

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 applicant's academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may 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

• Professor Jonas R. Kunst, email: j.r.kunst@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of administration Joakim Dyrnes, email: joakim.dyrnes@psykologi.uio.no

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