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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages

Deadline: 15.12.2022

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 position is associated with the project “Recuperating Human-Soil Relationships on a Troubled Planet (SOILS), The project is led by Dr. Ursula Münster and studies various dimensions of transforming human-soil relations in the Anthropocene. The project’s empirical studies include experiments of repairing contaminated, toxic, and depleted soils in different parts of the globe – from South Asia to Norway and the Arctic – as well as ways in which Indigenous writers and artists offer alternative modes of relating to soils, and for building possible future of earthly survival. The project will culminate in a series of publications, an art exhibition, and a SOILS festival that showcase material, practical and aesthetic conceptions of sustainable soil relations, seeking to both cross disciplines and reach a wider public.

The postdoctoral position will be associated with the Work Package on Indigenous Futurisms. The work package is led by Dr. Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay. The work package looks at how Indigenous artists, writers, and creatives explore soil futures, and use creative means to narrativize or visualize relations of care and recuperation, challenge human exceptionalism and colonial extractivist logics detrimental to the planet. The Work Package also shares common methodologies with the research project CoFUTURES led by Dr. Chattopadhyay.

More about the position

The Postdoctoral Fellow (PD) must propose research on any kind of media/s, including film, visual arts, literature, video games, as long as these can be considered a part of Indigenous Futurisms.

Applicants focusing on multiple traditions of Indigenous Futurisms or engaged in a comparative study of transnational Indigenous contexts, may be given preference. Since the project is based in Norway, applicants with connections to or knowledge of Nordic Indigenous Futurisms, such as within the Sámi cultural context, may be given preference. In all cases, a good knowledge of Indigenous methodologies and practices, whether through research, artistic practice, or through publications, is a MUST, and should be highlighted in the project description.

An existing record of publications, artistic work, curation, or service within the field of Indigenous art, or Indigenous Futurisms, or Indigenous Science Fiction more generally may also be considered relevant. This record can be appended to the proposal.

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 Work Package Leader). Second, the fellow will establish contacts with and assist in recording interviews with Indigenous authors and artists. Third, the fellow will assist in general organizational tasks within the work package during their employment term, including co-arranging workshops and conferences that are part of the general project.

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.

Expected starting date is May 1, 2023, 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.

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 culture studies, museology, cultural history, area studies, media studies, literature, visual arts, design or similar disciplines.
  • The candidate's research project must be closely connected to the work package.
  • Proficiency in language(s) relevant to the proposed project.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
  • demonstrable knowledge of Indigenous methodologies and practices, whether through research, artistic practice, or through publications
  • 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 and contribute to the main project
  • Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines
  • Projects focusing on multiple traditions of Indigenous Futurisms or engaged in a comparative study of transnational Indigenous contexts, may be given preference
  • applicants with connections to or knowledge of Nordic Indigenous Futurisms, such as within the Sámi cultural context, may be given preference

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
  • Up to two academic works (book chapters or journal articles) that the applicant wishes to be considered
  • Work on Indigenous Futurisms, or community work in arts or fandom, 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, 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

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