Job description

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo.

The position is affiliated with the research project «Relics of Nature: An Archaeology of Natural Heritage in the High North», funded by the Norwegian Research Council and led by Associate Professor Þóra Pétursdóttir.

Rooted in archaeology, critical heritage studies and environmental humanities, Relics of Nature explores understandings and manifestations of natural heritage, as well as relations between natural and cultural heritage. With special focus on the High North, and with case studies in Iceland and Svalbard/Northern Norway, a central concern is to scrutinize the values and preferences grounding definitions and management of natural heritage in the context of climate change. To what extent do we need to rethink the conceptual and material preferences associated with heritage landscapes? What do terms such as sustainability and environmental ethics imply in a changing Anthropocene world? And, how can natural heritage perform as a venue where concerns for the environment are shared and critically negotiated? The project will reach its objectives by combining empirical and theoretical approaches, fieldwork and conceptual analysis.

The Postdoctoral candidate will be part of the project‘s core team and will contribute to its chief objectives together with the team. In collaboration with the PI the candidate will chair the project‘s work package on «WP2 More-than-human ethics» focused on exploring and rethinking heritage- and environmental ethics in/for the Anthropocene. The candidate should apply with their own project proposal and while open to the selected candidate to define, the proposed research project must correspond with the overall framework of Relics of Nature (in terms of thematic and northern focus).

The candidate will be based in Oslo.

More about the position

The position is available for a period of 3,5 years. There is a 25 % component of the position which is devoted to teaching and administrative duties.

The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network at the University of Oslo and contribute to its development. The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in archaeology, heritage studies or within environmental humanities
• The candidate's research project must be closely connected to the main project
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

• The research project’s scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame
• The applicant’s ability to contribute to the main project
• Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines
• Experience with fieldwork or other relevant work experience

We offer

• salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae with grades listed (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• List of publications
• Project description (appox. 3 - 5 pages, maximum 14,000 characters. See Template for project descriptions). The project description must present a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment

Diplomas, certificates, doctoral thesis and other academic works may be requested later.

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.

The short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Formal regulations

See also Regulations concerning Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships.

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds

Contact information

• Associate Professor Þóra Pétursdóttir (PI of Relics of Nature)
• HR Adviser Tonje Olsen (for questions regarding how to apply)

Apply for position