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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages

Deadline: 31.05.2022

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.


The Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages (abbreviated IKOS from its Norwegian name) is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Humanities. The Department has a broad competency in the study of religion and culture and in language based area studies of South Asia, East Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. IKOS also hosts the Oslo School of Environmental Humanities. The Department has several study programmes at both BA and MA levels. Among the Department's 110 employees about 40 are PhD and Postdoctoral Fellows.

Job description

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Norwegian Research Council and is associated with the project Afterlives of Natural History.

The working hypothesis of this project is that the natural history tradition offers a rich breeding ground for experimentation and innovation in how we work across and in-between disciplines. In order to take natural history and its afterlives as a starting point for developing and exploring new ways of doing collaborative research, we will develop a comprehensive knowledge platform, created through empirical investigations of crucial moments and traditions. In addition to producing academic articles, or a monograph, the post.doc fellow will take part in the overall activities of the project, consisting of experimental collaboratory work in museums and archives, historical investigations and workshops as well as educational projects.

The candidate is expected to develop a research project closely connected to the main project with a specific emphasis on what role natural history played in the development of new textual genres and disciplines in a Scandinavian context from late 18th century to approx. 1850.

The position is available for a period of 3 years. There is a 10 % 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 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 areas relevant for the Afterlives of Natural History project such as cultural history, museology, history of knowledge, and Nordic studies.
  • The candidate's research project must be closely connected to the project Afterlives of Natural history.
  • 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 scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation of the applicant’s research project
  • The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame and contribute to the main project
  • Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

We offer

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
  • Copies of educational certificates

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no.

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

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