Postdoctoral fellow in urban governance and transition politics
Deadline: 20.08.2021
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.
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?
Postdoctoral fellow in urban governance and transition politics
The Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) is now seeking a postdoc (3 years full time) to help us develop our research on urban governance and transition politics – one of CET’s core competence areas.
CET is an interdisciplinary research centre that aims to produce actionable knowledge about how to achieve deep, rapid and sustainable transformation of society to meet the climate challenge. CET is based at the UiB Faculty of Social Sciences and works closely with scientists from a variety of disciplines.
Cities and urban-level action are critical to mitigating climate change. Urban areas today contribute more than 70% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. Urban municipalities, actors and residents can typically exercise significant influence on transport, heating, land use, energy supply and other sectors that combine to constitute a significant share of these emissions. In other words, the actions that cities, urban governments and inhabitants take will be critical to limiting global warming to the 1.5-degree and 2-degree targets. However, there is a need for more knowledge on what policies, strategies and actions can stimulate urban low-carbon transformations, and the implications of these actions for social justice.
In recent years, CET has developed research at a high international level addressing these issues. Topics of particular interest include urban mobility, co-production with urban actors, alternative and counter-hegemonic urban development and planning agendas, populism, and justice implications of green transitions. To advance and expand this research focus, we now seek an ambitious and dedicated researcher to fill a postdoctoral position.
The postdoctoral fellow will be part of the SpaceLab research group, and will be expected to develop independent research within the above themes and to actively collaborate with other researchers in the group. They will be expected to take a leading role in initiating research activities, such as proposals, seminars and publications that provide opportunities for other researchers in the group, particularly PhD candidates. The postdoc will have their workplace at CET and is expected to contribute to making CET a dynamic and productive academic environment.
Applicants are expected to submit a research statement that describes how their competence contributes to research on climate and energy transformation in an urban context. The choice of regional focus is open, and candidates with an interdisciplinary background within the qualitative social sciences (e.g. human geography, social anthropology, political ecology) are especially welcome to apply. Postdocs hired at CET tend to have an emerging record of publications and/or policy-relevant work experience.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
Completed PhD in a social science discipline. The doctoral thesis must have been submitted for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition for employment that the PhD has been awarded
A strong academic background in social science, including a demonstrated ability to publish research at a high international level
Documented expertise (theoretical and methodological) relevant to conducting the proposed research
An interest in interdisciplinary research is a requirement, and experience with interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary work is an advantage
Proficiency in both written and oral English.
Personal aptitude and cooperative skills will be taken into consideration.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.
About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:
The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is three years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.
We can offer:
A good and professionally challenging working environment.
Salary at pay grade 61 in the state salary scale. This currently amounts to an annual salary of NOK 545 300 before taxes. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
The city of Bergen – a welcoming and well-connected European city with a unique mix of vibrant life and extraordinary nature.
Your application must include:
A cover letter including a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position;
A research statement (4-6 pages, 2,000-3,000 words) describing the relevant competence of the candidate, and how this competence contributes to advancing the research agenda on climate and energy transformation in an urban context.
An academic CV, including publications, conference presentations, and other relevant academic activities
The names and contact information for two references. One of these must be the main supervisor from the PhD programme;
Certified copies of all relevant transcripts, diplomas and certificates. Documentation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted/awarded.
Up to five scientific publications.
The application (cover letter and research statement) must be written in English, and all additional documentation must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language (certified translations if originals are in another language).
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:
Practical questions about the application process should be directed to: Advisor Bodil Hægland, e-mail bodil.hagland@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.
Further information about our employment process can be found here.
