Postdoctoral Fellow in Sociology – genetic and environmental influences on socioeconomic and demographic outcomes

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352) in sociology. The position is for a period of three years without compulsory work, or four years with compulsory work (primarily teaching duties).

Job description

The position is funded by the European Research Council and is dedicated to the newly established research project OPENFLUX. The project lies at the intersection of social science and genetics. Using both behavior and molecular genetic data linked with register data, we will examine social change across birth cohorts, change across the life course and transmission across generations in demographic and socioeconomic outcomes. In these efforts we will draw upon statistical methods from social sciences and genetics.

At the Department of Sociology and Human Geography, the project is part of the research group in Social Inequalities and Population Dynamics (SIPD). The fellow will work closely with the principal investigator Professor Torkild Hovde Lyngstad, other members of the project staff, the project’s international collaborators, as well as other members of the SIPD group.

Qualification requirements and personal skills

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in sociology, demography, or related field. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing application date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Applicants must have the capacity for independent academic research at a high level, preferably documented through publications in international scientific journals in sociology, demography or related fields. Experience with open science practices and standards is an advantage.
• Competitive applicants will have expertise in one of more of these fields/issues:
  • theories of social stratification and mobility and demographic change
  • statistical methods for behavior and molecular genetics
  • statistical methods for social sciences
  • administrative register data, twin/family data or molecular genetic data
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

Applicants, who at the time of appointment cannot provide documentary evidence of basic formal teaching competence, must acquire such competence by completing a mandatory pedagogical course provided by UiO within the first two years (4 years contract only).

Residence in Norway is expected during the appointment, but postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period.

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 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

• Application letter. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research project. This letter should also include a short presentation (1 -2 pages) of the research the applicant wishes to pursue within the framework of the project.
• CV summarizing education, positions, research experience, and other activities.
• A complete list of publications
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Up to five academic works that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process (a doctoral dissertation or a monograph will count as three publications).

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).

In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed upon the academic and personal capacity of the candidate to contribute to the project within the given timeframe, to interact within national and international networks, and to be part of a dynamic research group. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the Department Board. The length of the employment period will be based on a consideration of the Department’s budget situation. In addition, teaching needs and the overall qualifications of the successful candidate will be taken into consideration.

Deadline: 15.06.2021

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 specified period at the same institution. 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.

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 Torkild H. Lyngstad (principal investigator), e-mail: t.h.lyngstad@sosgeo.uio.no
• Head of Administration, Inger Lise Schwab, e-mail: i.l.schwab@sosgeo.uio.no

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