Job description

Applicants are invited for a 3 to 4 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow to be based at the University of Oslo. This is a joint position between the Centre for Gender Research (STK) and the Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX). The successful candidate will be affiliated with both centres. The final details of the collaboration will be set in cooperation with the successful candidate.

We are looking for candidates with a competence that can be relevant to both gender research and research on far-right extremism, including gender dimensions of far-right ideologies, identities, values, norms, and behaviours.. The applicants will need to send in a project description, which should draw on this competence. Applicants must point to the expected outcome from their project (publications, dissemination, scholarly innovation, etc.).

Applicants from all disciplines are welcome. A multitude of theoretical approaches and methods can be relevant.

The Center for Research on Extremism, C-REX, is a cross-disciplinary center for the study of far-right extremism, hate crime and political violence. The center focuses in particular on ideology and identity, violence and hate crime, parties and movements, as well as prevention and intervention. C-REX is organized as a research center at the Department of Political Science. It collaborates with six of the leading Norwegian institutions on extremism research.

The Center for Gender Research is an independent research center organized directly under the University Board. Its main objective is to conduct interdisciplinary research, teaching and dissemination in gender research.

More about the position

Depending on the successful applicant, the appointment will be arranged in one of two ways:

1. The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years (10% of which might be devoted to required duties).

2. The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities in Norwegian)

The chosen arrangement depends on the qualifications of the applicant and the match with available duties that can be assigned to the position. The applicants are encouraged to indicate which arrangement they wish, and are qualified for, and incorporate this in their progress plan (with bulk time for required duties).

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within relevant disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in social science, humanities or law. A doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation by the closing date of this call. An appointment is dependent on a completed degree with a public defence of the doctoral thesis.

In the assessment of the applicants, the following qualification will be considered:

• Applicants should have a very good command of English (written and oral).
• Previous research on and familiarity with one or more of the topics covered by STK and C-REX is an advantage
• A relevant doctoral dissertation that is relevant to gender and/or extremism studies
• Innovation in theory and method
• Dissemination skills for academic as well as policy/practice audiences.
• Experience with working in a research project and/or in teams
• Pedagogical experience (when relevant for teaching and supervision)
• Scandinavian language skills (when relevant for teaching and supervision)
• Personal suitability

We offer

• salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• Personal research funds that can be used for e.g. travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45 000 per year).
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• A friendly and inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• Access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare (including the university’s kindergartens)
• Norway’s capital with its rich cultural life and easy access to beautiful nature
• Financial and practical support for international staff moving to Norway (international staff may also benefit from tax cuts their first years)
• The university’s mentoring program for female postdocs

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest). Max 2 pages
• Project description, including progress plan (max. 5 pages including references)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• Up to 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered (max 500 pages)
• list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description, and the quality of the project as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged approximately 4 weeks after the applications deadline and after the expert evaluation. We aim for the successful candidate to start in the position after the summer of 2022.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project during the period of employment. Residence in Norway is also expected.

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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

• Director, STK, Inger Skjelsbæk, +47 93802492, inger.skjelsbak@stk.uio.no
• Deputy Director, C-REX, Anders Ravik Jupskås, +47 22857642, a.r.jupskas@c-rex.uio.no
• Head of Office, STK, Andrew Feltham, +47 90520426, andrew.feltham@stk.uio.no

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