Job description

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO1352) in Human Geography or related fields. The position is for a period of 3 years without compulsory work/4 years with 25 % compulsory work (primarily teaching duties at the bachelor’s level).

The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their research interests on an independent basis, thus preparing the Fellow for a future academic career.

Residence in Norway is expected, but Postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period, either as fieldwork or research affiliations.

Qualifications and personal skills

• Applicants must hold a PhD in Human Geography or equivalent. Candidates from other disciplinary backgrounds must demonstrate in their application letter and project proposal that their scientific background falls within the scope of Human Geography. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing application date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• The suggested project must fall within the main areas of human geographic research at the Department: Climate change adaptation and transformations; Development and politics; Economic and labour geography; and, Urban studies and planning.
• Applicants must have the capacity for independent academic work at a high level, preferably documented through publications in high quality international journals.
• Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the research proposal and on the applicant’s academic and personal competence to carry out the suggested research.
• Teaching qualifications are also valuable. Qualifications for teaching within development geography and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are particularly welcome.
• Applicants who wish to be considered for teaching duties must provide documentation of basic formal teaching competence. Candidates without such will be required to acquire such competence by completing a mandatory pedagogical course provided by UiO.

We offer

• salary NOK 523.200-605.500 per annum depending on qualifications
• an academically stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• project description, including progress plan (5 - 10 pages). The project description should include an account of how the project relates to the Department’s research areas
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• up to five academic works that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process (a doctoral dissertation or a monograph will count as three publications)
• 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

The hiring process

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description, and the quality of the project as well as the candidates’ motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the Department Board. The length of the employment period will be based on the Department’s teaching needs as well as an evaluation of the overall qualifications of the successful candidate.

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.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

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

Contact information

• Head of Human Geography, Associate Professor Jemima García-Godos
• Head of Administration, Inger-Lise Schwab

Apply for position