University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are seven departments at Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

PhD position

The Department of Government at the University of Bergen is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with strong quantitative skills and a keen interest in the WarEffects project. The project is a five-year research initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC, 2022-2027) that aims to examine the micro-level effects of civil wars on multiple dimensions of women's empowerment. More information about the project is available at www.wareffects.eu.

As a PhD Candidate, you will work closely with the project team, which includes two postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and the project's Principal Investigator, Associate Professor Carlo Koos. Together, you will combine survey experiments, administrative and archival data, GIS, and qualitative field research in Colombia, DR Congo, and Sri Lanka to significantly advance research at the intersection of peace and conflict, gender, and political behaviour across disciplinary boundaries.

This PhD position is for a fixed-term period of 4 years, of which 75% will be dedicated to research and 25% will be dedicated to teaching. The employment period for the successful candidate may be reduced if he or she previously has been employed in a PhD position.

Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in research, publication, and communication activities within the WarEffects project
• Collect, clean, analyze, and interpret survey and other data
• Write academic articles and policy briefs
• Present WarEffects output in departmental seminars and at international conferences
• Collaborate with members of the research team
• Support in research administration and the organization of project-related events (e.g. webinars, workshops, etc.)
• Participate in teaching and related duties
• Starting date: preferably September/October 2023

Required and desired qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• MA degree (or equivalent) in political science, economics, social psychology or a related discipline (degree must have been awarded by the starting date)
• The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the Master degree in total
• Research interest in peace and conflict, international politics, gender, or related fields
• Excellent quantitative methods skills, including a strong command of Stata, R, and/or Python
• Willingness to expand methods skills (e.g., survey design, GIS, machine-learning)
• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate clearly
• Ability and willingness to work independently as well as in a larger team
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)

Desired qualifications:

• Interest to do field research in Sri Lanka
• Knowledge of French

About the PhD training:

As a PhD research fellow, you will take part in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiB. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the PhD degree. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission.

We can offer:

• A 4-year position with significant space and resources to develop your research profile
• Salary as a PhD candidate, code 1017, NOK 532200,-
• Significant funding for conferences and methods training
• A great team and professionally challenging research environment in an excellent department (hosting three other ERC-funded projects)
• Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with access to spectacular nature (successful candidates are expected to move to Bergen)
• Access to university welfare benefits (including cabins, cultural events, sailing etc.)
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Application Process:

To apply, please submit the following documents:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages), including a statement of motivation
• A research proposal for your PhD project (maximum 3,000 words excluding references): Please present your topic and research problem(s), your theoretical approach and hypotheses, and the data and methods you would like to use. In your data and methods section, please specify which data you would collect and use and share some thoughts on causal identification
• A CV summarizing education, positions, research and teaching experience, quantitative methods trainings, and other qualifying activities
• An academic writing sample in English (e.g., chapter of MA thesis, publication, or term paper)
• Contact details of three referees. Reference letters are not needed
• Copies and transcripts of educational diplomas documenting award of main degrees (e.g., MA, BA)

Short-listed candidates will be invited i) to demonstrate their quantitative methods skills in a small assignment, and ii) will be invited for an interview.

The application and appendices must be uploaded in English at Jobbnorge.

The closing date is June 18th, 2023. The application has to be marked with: 2023/6516

The successful candidate is expected to work and live in the Bergen area.

Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• Associate Professor Carlo Koos, PI of the project is carlo.koos@uib.no

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to HR adviser Gudrun Horvei at Gudrun.horvei@uib.no

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

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