The position

We offer a three-year postdoctoral position to work in the Oslo Institute for Research on the Impact of Science (OSIRIS) – an eight-year interdisciplinary research project funded by the Research Council of Norway’s ForInnPol programme. OSIRIS investigates the process through which research and development (R&D) comes into use and makes a difference in society. We emphasise theoretical/­conceptual efforts and in-depth empirical work focused on how R&D is used in industry, health and care, and policymaking.

OSIRIS’ take on research impact is to study processes of knowledge exchange, utilisation, policy change and innovation mainly from the user side. We believe that these processes depend on many factors outside of the research system, and that they may vary a lot between sectors of application. In order to understand how such processes unfolds and their tensions and barriers, we therefore need to gather data about the users of research in different settings, and to look at how patterns of use change over time. Most of our case studies so far have been based on interviews, documents and observations, but we have also carried out surveys.

TIK Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture is the host of OSIRIS. TIK represents more than twenty years of research, education and dissemination, it is interdisciplinary with two strong research groups and many externally funded research projects related to science, innovation and sustainability transitions.

Job Description and opportunities

One of the important parts of OSIRIS is to carry out longitudinal case studies of how research gets used, and the postdoctoral position is announced primarily for this casework. Our main research orientation is within science and innovation studies but the project can benefit from relevant perspectives from other social science disciplines such as organisation studies, sociology, political science and STS. We expect the candidate to be able to carry out 3-4 case studies during the course of the fellowship, in collaboration with other personnel in OSIRIS, and to participate in other work in the centre. We are in particular interested in cases of using research for innovation and other purposes in healthcare and industry. Many of our activities involve close contact with various users in the Research Council of Norway, other public organisations and in industry.

The postdoctoral candidate should have a strong interest in studies of R&D, substantial experience with case study/qualitative research, an interest in following cases over time, and ideally other methodological competences such as analysing survey data. Material on the OSIRIS web page should be read carefully, including the overall project description and the work so far in the centre.

TIK will be the formal employer of the candidate, who is expected to take active part in activities here like seminars and workshops. Residency in or close to Oslo is therefore expected. OSIRIS furthermore has one national and two international partners: Statistics Norway, the University of Manchester and the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The candidate will have opportunities to interact with and have extensive stays at these and other research units.

There may be opportunities to add some teaching and supervision duties to the position for TIK’s master programmes in science and innovation studies. Candidates who are interested in teaching and supervision and have some previous experience, should mention this in their application letter.

Qualification requirements

The candidates must have

• A PhD degree in a social science discipline with relevance for the area of impact studies. Only candidates that have submitted their PhD before the closing date for this position can apply. Such applicants should note the date of submission of their PhD in the cover letter. Appointment is dependent on the approval of the doctoral thesis.
• Demonstrated experience with relevant theories for understanding impact processes.
• Demonstrated capabilities in and experience from case study research, preferably with knowledge of longitudinal/process methods and relevant methodological software. Experience with other methods like survey analysis, document studies, social network analysis and econometrics is an advantage but not a requirement.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English, preferably with experience with communication with non-academic stakeholders.
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage but is not a requirement. Candidates without Scandinavian language skill need to discuss how case selection and data collection can be done in an efficient way.

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s description of his/her proposed postdoctoral work, a good match between this proposal and the goals and wider research approach in OSIRIS, as well as the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the work. Interviews will be part of the hiring process.

We offer

• Salary between NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum
• Academically stimulating and international work environment
• Attractive welfare benefits, including possibilities for University kindergarten and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• Female postdocs can take part in the UiO mentoring programme for female postdocs

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter.
• A short postdoctoral plan that explains main approaches, research questions, case suggestions, and possible theoretical perspectives and empirical strategies. The text should link to OSIRIS and explain how the proposed work will contribute, as well as to broader literature relevant for understanding impact processes (2-3 pages).
• A detailed academic CV listing education, prior employment, academic experience, other relevant experiences and qualifications, and containing a detailed list of publications.
• CV (summarising education, positions and academic work).
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
• Digital copies of 2-3 selected publications that show the candidate’s thematic interests and writing proficiency.
• 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).

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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Professor Magnus Gulbrandsen, Director of OSIRIS
• Professor Taran Thune, Co-Director of OSIRIS
• Administrative contact Ingrid Helene Johnsen

Apply for position