Center for Multilingualism in Society Across the Lifespan (MultiLing)

Job description

Three Doctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1017) are available at the Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan (MultiLing) at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo, starting January 2020. Two of them are financed by the Faculty of Humanities, and one is financed through the Research Council of Norway.

MultiLing is a Center of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway and opened in June 2013. The Center successfully completed the Midterm Evaluation to secure funding for the second period of five years, until May 2023. MultiLing aims to generate scientific knowledge on multilingualism across the lifespan, related to three themes: Theme 1 Multilingual competence, Theme 2 Multilingual practices, and Theme 3 Multilingualism, ideologies and language policies (for more information, see http://www.hf.uio.no/multiling/). MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan (MRSP) for the Second Five Year Period (2018 – 2023) can be found here.

MultiLing seeks to recruit doctoral candidates with excellent research qualifications who will work with MultiLing researchers collaborating on research as addressed in MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan (MRSP). The three announced positions are devoted to studies of multilingualism in Norwegian contexts, with a special focus on formal and/or informal language learning and development, in one or more of the following areas:

• Multilingualism in educational and institutional settings (see section 1.1and 2.3 in MRSP)
• Linguistic practices among youth in multilingual urban spaces (see section 2.2 in MRSP)
• Multilingualism and mediated communication (for instance use of minoritized languages and/or non-standard varieties) (see section 2.4 in MRSP)
• Multilingualism in public spaces (see section 3.3 in MRSP).

Applicants are expected to present an independent research project proposal. The candidates must articulate how the proposed project fits in MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan.

The successful candidates are expected to become part of MultiLing’s research environment and contribute to its development. The successful candidates are expected to strengthen the relevant research areas addressed above, to contribute to and participate in the various workshops, conferences and activities organized by MultiLing, and to be an active member of the MultiLing team in Oslo.

The positions are available for a period of three years, starting January 1, 2020. All PhD candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment, along with a written recommendation from their supervisor, within 3 years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6-month Completion Grant.

The successful candidates must participate in the research training program organized by the Faculty of Humanities (cf. regulations and supplementary provisions for the faculty’s researcher education) and must engage in the designated research activities on a full-time basis. The purpose of the Doctoral Research Fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation (monograph or article-based) to be defended at a public defense for the doctoral degree. The successful candidates will be automatically accepted for the research-training program (PhD program) at the Faculty of Humanities, UiO. Read more about the doctoral degree.

Qualification requirements

• The candidates must have an MA degree or equivalent in Linguistics, Scandinavian Studies, Second Language Acquisition, Rhetoric and Communication Studies, or some other relevant discipline related to MultiLing’s work (note the requirement of a minimum 2-year MA or equivalent and that the Master’s degree must have been obtained by the application deadline at the latest).
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English

In the assessment of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

• The project’s scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant’s international experience and network
• The applicant’s academic and personal qualifications to carry out the project within the allotted time frame
• Good cooperative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

Good knowledge of a Scandinavian language will be an advantage.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications
• A challenging and stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application, preferably in pdf format:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
• Transcript of records of your Master's degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to 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 description)

Please note that all documents must be in English.

Publications, MA theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works at a later date.

The short-listed candidates will be called in for an interview at the University of Oslo or we will arrange for an interview on Skype.

Formal regulations

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

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period 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 questions about the position:

• Professor and Center Director Elizabeth Lanza

For questions on how to apply:

• HR-Officer Steffen Remvik

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