University of Bergen

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen. Our main contribution to society is excellent basic research and education across a wide range of disciplines.

There is a vacancy for a PhD position at the Department of Comparative Politics within the research project “Bringing in the state: The politics of wage regulation and low-wage employment” (WAGEREG), funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

About the project

The project will account for how states influence wage setting and how, in particular, they react to low-wage employment. It will focus on three policies: statutory minimum wages, regulation of collective bargaining, and public benefits to top up low wages. The project’s aims are to take stock of variation in these policies across developed states and to explain that variation. It therefore focuses on the politics rather than the outcome side of wage regulation. Candidates are encouraged to contact the project leader, Associate Professor Georg Picot, for a more detailed project description.

Your tasks

• To engage in independent scientific research that will result in a high-quality PhD thesis, as well as partaking in high-quality publications addressing core themes of the research project.
• To participate in collection, pooling, and analysis of data for the project.
• To support and work with the principal investigator in carrying out the research project.
• To actively contribute to the academic life of the Department of Comparative Politics.

Your qualifications and personal qualities

• The applicant must hold a master's degree or the equivalent in political science, industrial relations, or a related field. 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’s degree has been awarded.
• The minimum requirements are generally grade B on master thesis and for the master degree in total.
• Strong skills in quantitative methods and experience in working with commonly used statistical software packages.
• Ability to work independently and to cooperate with others.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of other West European languages is an advantage.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

About the PhD position

The duration of the PhD position is 4 years, of which 25 % comprises duties for the Department such as teaching, supervision, or administration. The expected starting date is 1st October 2018. The employment period for the successful candidate may be reduced if he or she previously has been employed in a PhD position.

About the research training:

As a PhD research fellow you will take part in the doctoral educational programme at UoB. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the submission of the PhD dissertation. To be eligible for admission you must have completed a master’s degree. The educational background must be equivalent to a five-year university education, including a two-year master’s degree and a master thesis. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission. If the master’s degree is not of two years length, the applicant shall document additional education or scholarly work that can compensate. Applicants without sufficient educational background may be required to take additional courses before admission, or shortly after.

We can offer

• Salary at pay grade 50 upon appointment (Code 1017) on the government salary scale (equivalent to NOK 436 900 per year). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
• Individual annual funds for research expenses.
• A good and professionally stimulating working environment.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits and sports facilities.
• 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 Department.

Project proposal

A research proposal of 3-5 pages must accompany the application. The proposal ideally includes 1) topic and research question, 2) relation to the WAGEREG project (please contact the project leader for more information), 3) theory, 4) methods, and 5) a progress plan.

Your application must include

• A cover letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• The names and contact information of two reference persons. One of them must be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis.
• Project proposal.
• CV, including a list of publications if any.
• Transcripts and diplomas of the bachelor's and master's degrees.
• Any other relevant certificates or documentation.
• One writing sample: either your master’s thesis or a single-authored academic publication.
• If you have a master's degree from an institution outside of the Nordic countries, or a master's degree (or equivalent) in a subject area other than the ones associated with the application, you may later in the application process be asked to submit an overview of the syllabus for the degree you have completed.

The application and appendices must be uploaded on Jobbnorge following the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”. Candidates may later in the application process be asked to provide certified translations of documents into English or a Scandinavian language.

The application has to be marked: 18/726

Closing date: 5.8.2018

Applications submitted without a project description 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 can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Georg Picot, email georg.picot@uib.no, phone +4755582696.

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to senior officer Even Michael Endresen, email even.endresen@uib.no, phone +4755589059.

Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the doctoral education programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Further information about the programme is available on the webpage http://www.uib.no/en/svf/37940/doctoral-education. Questions about the programme may be directed to senior officer Hanne Gravermoen, e-mail: hanne.gravermoen@uib.no, phone: +47 55 58 90 68.

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.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

Apply for this job

Søknadsfrist: 05.08.2018

Web: www.uib.no

Kontakt: Associate Professor Georg Picot

Telefon: +47 55582696

E-post: georg.picot@uib.no

Kontakt 2: Even Michael Endresen (Senior officer)

Telefon: +47 55589059

E-post: even.endresen@uib.no