Job description

A two-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo.

The Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the European Research Council and is associated with the project CoFUTURES (Grant Agreement no. 852190). The project studies contemporary global speculative literature and future fictions, and how these deal with environmental issues.

More about the position

The postdoctoral position will be associated with the Work Package on Middle Eastern futurisms (such as Gulf, Arab, Iranian, Turkish). The postdoctoral fellow can choose one or more these futurisms (and the relevant languages) for their research.

The Postdoctoral Fellow (PD) can hold a PhD in any relevant arts and humanities or social science discipline (including artistic research), and they can conduct research on any kind of media, including film, visual arts, literature, video games, as long as these can be considered a part of Middle Eastern futurisms. Applicants focusing on multiple countries within the same tradition may be given preference. An existing record of publications/artistic work within the field of Middle Eastern futurisms or Science Fiction more generally may also be considered relevant.

The position carries three tasks. First, the Postdoctoral fellow will be expected to write three journal articles (two single authored articles and one together with the PI). Second, the fellow will assist in setting up interviews and contacts with authors and artists in the region. Third, the fellow will assist in general organizational tasks within the project during their employment term, including co-arranging workshops and conferences that are part of the project.

Expected starting date is August 1, 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network of the department 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 literature, culture studies, area studies, visual arts or similar disciplines.
• The candidate's research project must be closely connected to the main project.
• Proficiency in relevant languages.
• 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 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 an contribute to the main project.
• Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

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 (3 - 5 pages). 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.
• Up to two academic works (book chapters or journal articles) that the applicant wishes to be considered
• SF fandom or artistic activities, if any.

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, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. 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.

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

• Project Leader: Associate Professor Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay, bodhisattva.chattopadhyay@ikos.uio.no, phone number +47 22857415
• HR Adviser Hilde Kristine Sletner, h.k.sletner@hf.uio.no

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