Job description

A permanent position as Associate Professor of the Mediation (Litteraturformidling) and Sociology of Literature is available at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo. The position is housed within the Scandinavian Literature section of the Department.

The successful candidate is expected to teach and supervise students pursuing the Mediation of literature specialization (studieretning i litteraturformidling) within the Scandinavian Studies master’s programme, contribute to the development of the specialization, and undertake research in this field. The position also includes teaching and supervision in other specializations offered by the Scandinavian Literature section.

At the bachelor level, Scandinavian literature is a part of the Scandinavian Studies programme, the Teachers training programme (Lektorprogrammet) and two one-year study programmes. At the master’s degree level, the section offers courses in Scandinavian literature, the Mediation of literature (Litteraturformidling) and Teachers training (Lektorprogrammet).

The Mediation of literature specialization is offered in collaboration with the Comparative Literature section at the Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages. The specialization is one of a kind, has a large number of applicants and a high rate of degree completion. It comprises coursework in fiction as well as non-fiction literature.

Research in the mediation and sociology of literature may be linked to the subjects taught within the programme (such as editorial evaluation/criticism, literary reviewing, the literary institution, book history and textual criticism – see the overview on the website). In general, research in Scandinavian literature at the Department covers basic disciplines such as literary history, interpretation of texts, genre studies, comparative studies, cultural studies, reception studies, didactics and textual criticism. The position includes teaching within these fields.

The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research within the above mentioned fields and disciplines, supervise PhD candidates, participate in teaching and in exams at all levels, and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the Department.

Qualification requirements

• A completed PhD degree in Scandinavian Literature, Comparative Literature or equivalent academic qualifications with relevance for the position
• Documented pedagogical skills (either a teaching course certificate or documented teaching experience), see how to document your pedagogical skills
• Documented potential for project acquisition
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian language (both bokmål and nynorsk)
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Academic qualifications and academic production relevant for the position, with emphasis on works published within the last 5 years. Originality and innovative thinking will be weighted more heavily than quantity
• International peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with research projects
• Experience from and knowledge of the Norwegian literary field and institutions
• Experience with and knowledge of methods employed within Social Sciences
• Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department
• Pedagogical qualifications, documented results from teaching and supervision, and disposition to inspire students
• Interest and ability in leadership and administration
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
• Experience with and ability to build international networks
• Skills within popular dissemination, public outreach and innovation

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

Academic quality, development potential and breadth will be prioritised in this order. The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the objective in the University of Oslo’s strategic plan to “strengthen its international position as a leading research-intensive university through a close interaction across research, education, communication and innovation”.

We offer

• Salary NOK 524 200 – 607 700 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits
• The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interest)
• Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications)
• Complete list of published and unpublished works

Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language), either in the original or in translation.

Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range of qualifications and criteria described in the announcement of the post with concrete examples.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Selection procedure

As the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to 10 publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Academic texts should therefore not be enclosed with the application.

Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last 5 years, to be considered as the most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages. Applicants are further asked to submit a description of one or more research projects considered relevant for the Department. Applicants are also asked to submit a portfolio that documents other qualifications (public outreach, teaching and supervision, and any experience with leadership and administration).

Finally, the most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

he successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period. Please see the rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence.

The successful candidate must demonstrate mastery of both English and Norwegian as working languages.

Within his/her normal duties and in accordance with his/her academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside his/her Department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the Department. See also the rules for appointments to Associate Professorships.

According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For questions about the position:

• Head of Department Piotr Garbacz

For questions about the recruitment process:

• HR advicer Tonje Olsen

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