Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History

Job description

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in history is available at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo.

The position is connected to the interdisciplinary UiO:Nordic funded project Nordic Civil Societies: Global, Transnational and Regional Encounters since 1800. The project explores the role of voluntary associations between the state, the market, and the private sphere in the development of Norden and what is understood as the ‘Nordic model’ of society, in a transnational and international context.

The project comprises three pillars:

• Pillar I: Civil Societies and the State: Critical Perspectives on the Performance of a ‘Nordic Model’ of Society
• Pillar II: Nordic Civil Societies since 1800: Transnational Cooperation, International Models and National Adaptions
• Pillar III: Beyond the Nordic: Civil Societies, Transnational Political Activism and Global Encounters

The candidate is expected to propose an independent research project of relevance to Pillar I of the Nordic Civil Societies framework.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to

• inclusion and exclusion in voluntary associations, including the self-organisation of ‘outsiders’ (migrants, ethnic minorities, political radicals, followers of alternative lifestyles);
• transnational networks of civil society actors and their role in policy-making in Norden;
• oppositional movements and their position in the Nordic polity;
• charity and philanthropy in strong welfare states;
• governance and governmentality of the third sector;
• voluntarism as a ‘Nordic virtue’.

Proposed projects should be transnational with a Nordic focus and with a historical perspective. The choice of methodological and theoretical frameworks and perspectives should be elaborated by the applicants. For a detailed description of the Nordic Civil Societies project, see its website. The position is financed by the Faculty of Humanities and based at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History.

More about the position

The person appointed will be affiliated with the Faculty's organised research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. The successful candidate is expected to join the existing research milieu or network and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree.

The appointment is for a duration of 3 years. All PhD Candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment with a written recommendation from their supervisor within 3years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position, will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6 month Completion Grant.

Qualification requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent in history. The Master's degree must have been obtained and the final evaluation must be available by the application deadline.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Oslo, applicants must, as a minimum, have completed a five-year graduation course (Master’s degree or equivalent), including a Master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS. In special cases, the Faculty may grant a dmission on the basis of a one-year Master course following an assessment of the study programme’s scope and quality.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• The project's scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete research training
• Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities

Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 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 a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
• Transcript of records of your Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university's grading system
• Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3 - 5 pages, see Template for project descriptions)

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

Educational certificates, master theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works later.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Formal regulations

See regulations as well as guidelines for the application assessment process and appointments to research fellowships.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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 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

• Nordic Civil Societies leadership group: Sunniva Engh, Klaus Nathaus and Ruth Hemstad
• Head of Research Education, Associate Professor Ulrike Spring
• Administrative Head of Department Katrine Randin
• HR Adviser Karoline Farbrot (for questions regarding how to apply)

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