PhD position at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism (DIPA)
Deadline: 15.09.2020
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.
PhD position at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism (DIPA), Department of Administration and Organization Theory
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.
The PhD fellow position is for three years and is devoted 100% to research themes in the project “Legitimacy Challenges”, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The PhD fellow will be based at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism at the University of Bergen, Norway.
The overall ambition of the “Legitimacy Challenges” is to reveal conditions and mechanisms for sustaining legitimacy in societies in which there is a backlash on social and political right developments. This includes the expressed mistrust in core institutions in the welfare states. To gain an improved understanding of what is going on, the empirical focus in the project is on the various types of public debates about children's rights, child protection and family values, that has been and is, ongoing in Norway and Europe.
Professor Marit Skivenes is the Principal Investigator for the project. Potential applicants should contact the principal investigator for further details (marit.skivenes@uib.no).
The Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism addresses core themes in the social sciences by examining the government’s use of power toward its citizens and the justifications of state interventions into people’s lives. Important areas of empirical focus are child welfare and children’s rights.
To engage in independent scientific research that will result in high quality PhD thesis, as well as partaking in high quality publications addressing core themes of the research project
To participate in the collection, pooling, and analysis of data
To support and work with the principal investigator in carrying out the research project
To participate in the organisation of research activities and events at the Centre, such as conferences, workshops, joint publications, and web activities
To actively contribute to the academic life of the Centre
Your profile: qualifications and personal qualities:
A Master degree in political science, sociology, social policy or economics (other education may be considered when clearly relevant for the project topic). The applicant must have submitted his/her master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the Master degree has been awarded at the start of employment. The requirements are generally grade B (or equivalent) or better on Master thesis and for the Master degree in total
Some knowledge and experience with text analysis and qualitative methods
Knowledge and experience with quantitative methods
A demonstrated interest in engaging in independent research on topics related to the research project
As an applicant you should be able to work independently and have the ability to cooperate with others
Fluency in written and spoken English
Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their academic qualifications and the project proposal´s fit with the project. Furthermore, the candidate’s methods skills; the candidate’s interest in the project’s topic; and personal qualifications.
About the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism
The research at the Centre is comparative - between nations, systems and individuals, and includes researchers across the world. We are an interdisciplinary group including political science, sociology, law and psychology. In Bergen, the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism is a part of the Centre on Law and Social Transformation (UiB/CMI), and is involved in research collaboration at the Center for excellence, FAIR, at the Norwegian Business School as well as with the research group Law, Democracy and Welfare at Western Norway University of Applied Science.
About the PhD position:
The duration of the PhD position is 3 years.
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:
Salary at pay grade 54 upon appointment (Code 1017) on the government salary scale (equivalent to NOK 479.600 per year). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
A good, vibrant, and professionally challenging working environment
Enrollment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
Good welfare benefits
The city of Bergen - a unique mix of vibrant cultural life and extraordinary nature
The successful candidate is expected to live and work in Bergen during the project period and participate in common activities at the Centre.
About the application
Project proposal:
A research proposal of max 5 pages must accompany the application (based on the “Legitimacy Challenges” project). The proposal should present the topic, the research problem(s) and choice of theory and methods. The proposal should also include a progress plan for the different parts of the project. A budget of running costs should be included. Admittance to the PhD-programme will be based on the research proposal.
Your application must include:
Cover-letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position
Max 5-page PhD project proposal
CV
Diplomas (certified copies)
Academic publications that you want to submit for assessment (including your master’s thesis or equivalent)
Two references with names and contact details
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded electronically at the recruitment portal www.jobbnorge.no. The application must include all information to be taken into consideration in the assessment of the academic qualifications.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.
The application should be marked 20/6817, and the closing date is September 15, 2020
Applications submitted without required information or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.
General information:
Additional information about the position is obtainable by contacting:
Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to HR Adviser Even Michal Endresen
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. 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.
