Job description

ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications to fill a vacancy for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship (SKO 1352) within the field of public administration / European studies. The position is part of the research project «European Integration and National Law: A theory of administrative behaviour in complex institutional settings» (COMPLEX).

ARENA is a multidisciplinary research centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo. The centre promotes theoretically oriented, empirically informed studies seeking to analyse the dynamics of the evolving European systems of governance. It is renowned for its cutting edge research on the transformation of Europe, and coordinates and participates in numerous international research projects and networks, mainly funded by European and Norwegian research programmes. Its international staff is conducive to a vibrant and integrated research community, where the working language is English. More information about ARENA is available at www.arena.uio.no.

More about the position

The appointment is for the duration of two years with no teaching obligations. The proposed starting date is 1 January 2022. The position is part of the research project «European Integration and National Law: A theory of administrative behaviour in complex institutional settings» (COMPLEX) which is financed by the Research Council of Norway. COMPLEX studies administrative bodies such as the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet), the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet), and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). The Commission does not have its own agencies at the national level but it works closely with independent national agencies (directorates and supervisory authorities), often bypassing national ministries. These agencies are then double hatted: they serve their respective national ministries, and are at the same time part of the multilevel EU administration. The project analyses how these bodies interpret and practice EU’s secondary laws. The project will conduct vignette experiments of regulatory scenarios that the post-doctoral fellow will be in charge of, including a multi-factorial survey experiment that tracks the evaluations of upper level management.

More details

The post-doctoral fellow will be part of the research group led by Erik O. Eriksen at ARENA Centre for European Studies. The fellow will be expected to actively contribute to the research agenda and the research environment of the COMPLEX project and ARENA. More information about the project is available here.

The fellowship’s main purpose is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in Political Science / European studies before taking up the post
• Previous research on and familiarity with one or more of the topics covered by the project is an advantage
• Skills in quantitative methodology and in conducting surveys and vignette experiments would be an advantage
• Ambitions for high-quality research
• Interest in the project’s and ARENA’s research fields
• Excellent writing skills
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

A comprehensive assessment of the applicant's scientific qualifications forms the basis of appointment, and particular emphasis will be placed upon the candidate’s methodological qualifications that are relevant to the project. Personal suitability, motivation and willingness to cooperate will be taken into consideration. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview.

We offer

• Salary of NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as post-doctoral fellow (position code SKO 1352)
• An academically stimulating and international working environment
• A friendly and inclusive workplace
• 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
• 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 (including the University’s day care)
• Access to pedagogical courses offered at faculty/university level
• Female post-docs can take part in UiO’s Mentoring programme.

How to apply

The online application must include the following items:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages), including statement of motivation
• A research proposal (max. 3 pages). The proposal should clarify the research theme, main research questions, theoretical approach, methodology and how the research contributes to the project’s research agenda
• A CV summarizing education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities
• A complete list of publications (if not included in the CV)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Upload a copy of (what you consider to be) your best publication to date preferably a single-authored article published in an international journal
• Names and contact details for 3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letters are not needed.

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 should be in English or a Scandinavian language. International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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 University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property 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

• Professor and project leader Erik Oddvar Eriksen
• Administrative director Ida Hjelmesæth

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