Stilling:

PhD Research Fellowship in Political science, security, nuclear weapons

Deadline 01.09.2018

University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Department of Political Science is a part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and conducts research, teaching and dissemination. The Department currently has 33 permanent academic staff members, 13 research fellows conducting PhDs, six assistant professors (postdoctoral fellows) and ten administrative employees. About 1100 students are currently enrolled in Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD study programmes in political science, as well as the interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree programmes in International Studies and Public Administration and Leadership, and the Master’s degree programme in Peace and Conflict Studies. The department is the host of C-REX Center for Research on Extremism.

About the position

Applications are invited for excellent candidates for a doctoral fellowship focusing on political and strategic challenges associated with nuclear weapons. The appointment is for a fixed term of 4 years with a 25% teaching requirement.

Applicants must formulate a research proposal that lays out a promising doctoral project that can be completed in the course of 4 years. This proposal must combine strong methodological and/or theoretical foundations with a policy-relevant research question. Topics can include the global nonproliferation regime, emerging threats, challenges to deterrence, and arms control.

This doctoral project will be part of Oslo Nuclear Project, headed by Dr. Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer, and the successful candidate will join the PhD program in the Department of Political Science.

Oslo Nuclear Project (ONP) is a new research program focusing on political and strategic challenges associated with nuclear weapons. ONP is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Department of Political Science.

Qualifications

The successful candidates must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Political Science. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS, and training in research methodology. In evaluating applications, academic qualifications and the project outline will be given more weight than other general qualifications. Successful candidates must document excellent academic results and a MA thesis of high quality.

Personal suitability will also be an important factor. Short-listed applicants will be called for interview. Applicants must submit a project description of up to 3000 words outlining the research topic, the specific problems to be studied, the sources of data to be used, the choice of scientific theory and method, and a realistic schedule that details how the project will be completed within the fellowship period. See also the Regulations on terms of employment for Research Fellowship positions

Applications

  • Cover letter (statement of motivation and research interests)
  • Project proposal (5-10 pages) which must include the topic, relevant theory and methods and time-line. Applicants are expected to be able to complete the project during the appointment period. If the project requires field work/data collection, costs must be calculated and presented in the budget.
  • CV with full summary of education, practice and academic work. The period of enrolment (admission-completion) in the master’s study programme must be specified.
  • Academic transcripts (University degrees only)
  • Copy of Master’s degree diploma
  • Master’s thesis
  • Complete list of publications and academic works
  • List of referees: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system.

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the "project description" and the applicant's academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Please note: All documentation, the Master’s dissertation included, must be in English or in a Scandinavian language (or translated into English/Scandinavian by a certified translator).

We offer

  • Salary NOK 449 400 – 497 000 (51-57) per annum depending on qualifications
  • A pleasant and 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.

About the evaluation process

An application committee will review the applications before the top candidates are further assessed by an evaluation committee. The evaluation committee’s report is expected to be ready by 1 October. The report will be sent to all applicants. The short-listed candidates will then be called for interviews in October or early November. The departmental board will make its final decision by early December.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property rights to research results etc.

Pursuant to section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be disclosed to the public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants.

As a state institution, we aim for a balanced age and gender composition of our staff and to recruit persons from ethnic minorities.

It is only permissible to hold one fixed-term position at the same institution.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

Contact information

For technical question about the recruitment system, please contact: Adviser Anita Øien

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