Department of Psychology

Section of Health, Developmental and Personality Psychology

Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Developmental Psychology is open at the Section for Health, Developmental and Personality Psychology (HUP) at the Department of Psychology. The Section covers basic and applied research and teaching for the Bachelor, Master, Professional (Clinical) and PhD programs in health, developmental and personality psychology. It has currently around 60 national and international permanent and non-permanent staff. The Section’s Developmental Psychology Group includes eight permanent academic staff (University Lecturer, Associate Professors and Professors) and several Research, Ph.D. and Post-Doc fellows.

The postdoctoral fellow will work in a research project on the “Impact of culture on the development of the understanding of emotions in children” led by Francisco Pons (Principal Investigator). We are especially interested in: (1) Emotion understanding in children, (2) Parents’ beliefs about emotions, (3) Impact of culture on these phenomena and their relation. More information about the research project can be requested from the PI.

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three or four years. For a four year appointment, teaching duties make up to 25% (lecture, seminar, supervision, exams). Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire formal university pedagogy competencies in the course of their fellowship (as part of their 25% teaching duties).

The starting date of the position is as soon as possible after the 1st of January 2021.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian Doctoral degree in psychology or equivalent. The doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation prior to the closing date. The appointment is dependent on the doctoral degree being granted. A PhD degree in developmental psychology will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicant must have a good research record (scientific publications and communications, knowledge dissemination) in the field of developmental psychology. Research record related to children’s emotion understanding and parents’ beliefs about emotions, will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicants must have knowledge and experience in experimental methods and parametric and non-parametric statistics. They must also have knowledge and experience in assessing children’s emotion understanding and parents’ beliefs about emotions. Knowledge and experience with mediation and moderation analyses and in qualitative methods will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicants must provide a research project proposal (max. 5 pages, excluding references). The research project should be about the impact of culture on the development of emotion understanding in children and their parents’ beliefs about emotions. It is expected that the research project will be completed in the course of the period of employment.
• Undergraduate and/or graduate teaching experiences, in situ and digital (e.g. course organisation, lecturing, supervision, examination) in the field of developmental psychology, will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicants must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Skills in one of the Scandinavian languages, preferably Norwegian, and in one Latin and/or Slavic language will be considered as an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work both independently and to cooperate with others, and be highly motivated.

In the evaluation of the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the following criteria in the succeeding order based on their educational background (necessary condition): (i) research project quality, (ii) research record and experience, (iii) teaching experience, and (iv) personal suitability and motivation. Academic achievements will be weighed against career stage and adjusted for parental leaves. Interviews with the best qualified applicants might be arranged.

We offer

• salary NOK 552 800-640 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• a professionally 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

The application must include

• Letter of application explaining the motivation for applying and how the applicant’s qualifications are relevant for the position, as well as any other relevant information.
• A research project of max. 5 pages including (i) background, (ii) objectives, (iii) implications, (iv) method, (v) plan and (vi) budget (vii) as well as the applicant’s contribution to the project.
• A CV summarizing personal information, educations, positions, teaching experiences, research record and any other qualifying information.
• A complete list of scientific publications and communications (including knowledge dissemination).
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
• A list of three references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number), preferably, a current or former student, colleague and leader. No letter of reference should be included in the application.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

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 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

• Principal Investigator (PI): Francisco Pons, e-mail: francisco.pons@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of office: Joakim Dyrnes, e-mail: joakim.dyrnes@psykologi.uio.no

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