Job description

Applications are invited for a 3-4 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow linked to the research project Platforming Families: Tracing digital transformations in everyday life across generations (PlatFAMs) based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo.

PlatFAMs aim to understand the conditions of family relationships with pervasive, all-encompassing digital platforms, by unpacking the relational and temporal aspects of digital platforms’ wide-ranging social transformation of everyday family practices and inter-generational relations. Digital platforms can be described as ‘online content hosting intermediaries’ (Williamson 2017a, 62) with designs that allow interaction between a ‘platform core’, programs and user-generated content through application programming interfaces (Hillman et al 2020). Increasingly, these digital platforms provide an infrastructure for learning, social connections, gaming, commerce and engagement with news etc, and their impact on homes and families was amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PlatFAMs project focuses distinctively on intergenerational experiences in relation to the platformisation of family life, by studying 1. the impact of digital platforms through the life course as expressed in family practices; 2. the negotiations between family members and across generations about the use and implications of digital platforms; and 3. how different age groups within diverse families create and co-construct imaginaries of digital futures. The core of the project is the study of up to hundred three-generation families in five European countries (Norway, Estonia, UK, Romania and Spain) over a two-year period, across different spaces online and offline, using a breadth of qualitative and participatory methods. In addition, we will do secondary analysis of longitudinal quantitative data across European countries. The Postdoctoral fellow will be expected to take part in collecting and analysing the Norwegian data.

The research fellow will be affiliated with the research group “Living and Learning in the Digital Age” (LiDA). Participants in this research group investigate children and young people’s learning, use of technology and socialization in formal and informal learning contexts. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches are used in this research.

To apply for the fellowship, applicants must include a project description (5 pages) and a progress plan (1 page) describing an independent project proposal. Applicants are expected to fit their research project with the goal, methodology and overall design of the PlatFAMs project, see Platforming Families: Tracing digital transformations in everyday life across generations (PlatFAMs).

While international applicants are certainly welcome, good mastery of the Norwegian language, or a Scandinavian language, is needed. We are seeking highly motivated and competent candidates who are willing and able to participate actively in the research community in the department and in the research group, as well as in the wider international research community. The successful candidate will be expected to participate actively in the PlatFAMs-project, relevant national and international research groups, and networks.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three years. 10 % which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities. If there is a good match between the candidate’s competence and the Department’s teaching needs, the position is extended to four years, 25% of which is devoted to teaching duties, usually in the form of teaching activities at the department. 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 their disciplines. Applicants are expected to describe and fit their planned research project with the goal, methodology and overall design of the PlatFAMs project, see Platforming Families: Tracing digital transformations in everyday life across generations (PlatFAMs).

We seek highly motivated individuals who appreciate working in a multi-disciplinary working environment targeted towards generating robust knowledge on family life in the digital age, especially the role of digital platforms. We expect applicants to have experience in doing interviews and analysis of qualitative data, as well as theoretical and conceptual explorations across key scientific fields of educational sciences, sociology, media and communication studies, generation studies and other relevant social sciences.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate actively in the PlatFAMs-project, relevant national and international research groups, and networks.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in educational sciences, sociology, media studies or other social sciences. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language
• The candidate´s research project should be closely connected to the PlatFAMs-project.

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• The quality of the project description
• The project’s relevance for the PlatFAMs-project’s methodology, design and ambition.
• The applicants’ academic and personal qualifications for conducting the project. Experience in qualitative interview methodology will be an advantage, as is experience in family, child or youth related research or digital media studies.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

Personal skills

• Good ability to collaborate and to form part of a multi-disciplinary academic community
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

We offer

• Salary NOK 553 500 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualificatinos in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352).
• A professionally stimulating work 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:

• Cover letter with an statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interests, and a specification of how the proposed project connects to PlatFAMsProject description (up to 5 pages), and a progress plan for the planned project (1 page)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity).
• Copy of PhD Diploma or documentation of thesis submission. Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation need to include an advisor's letter confirming specific expectations about when the degree will be received.
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• Up to three academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• 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, please follow the link: “Apply for this job”. 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).

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

In assessing the applicants, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (når det er krevet), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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

Contact information

For questions about the position, please contact:

• Professor Ola Erstad (Project leader PlatFAms)
• Professor Ingvill Rasmussen (leader LiDA)

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 Postfoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

Apply for this job