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 from excellent candidates from all parts of political science, including public policy and administration, comparative politics, political theory and international relations. The appointment is for a fixed, non-tenured term of 3,5 years. The appointee will have a 25% teaching requirement. Successful applicants must therefore be prepared to teach Bachelor's and Master's level courses within the Department's course portfolio as well as tutor Master's students.

Applicants must formulate a research proposal that lays out a promising research agenda that can be fulfilled in the course of 3,5 years. This research agenda must focus on political or strategic challenges associated with nuclear weapons, combining strong methodological and/or theoretical foundations with a policy-relevant research question. This position is part of Oslo Nuclear Project, headed by Dr. Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer. 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.

Qualification

A comprehensive assessment of the applicant's academic qualifications and the quality of the research proposal forms the basis of appointment. Successful applicants must document that they have submitted their PhD thesis for final and formal evaluation before the application deadline, and must have achieved a PhD degree in political science or a closely related discipline before taking up the position. In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s publication record and quality of the research proposal. The applicants' teaching skills and formal qualifications, teamwork skills and personal suitability for the position will also be considered.

Postdoctoral fellows/assistant professors who are appointed for a period of 3,5 years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency during their fellowship period. The purpose of this training is to further qualify researchers for higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Applications

• Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically with the following:
• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• Procject description, including progress plan (max 3000 words)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• Up to three academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• List of referees: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The project description must include the theme of earlier projects that this work will build on, issues to be examined, the chosen theoretical and methodological approach and a detailed progress plan for publications.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

The most promising candidates will be invited for an interview.

We expect the whole evaluation process, from the application date to an offer is made, to take no more than 6 weeks.

Please note

Applicants who cannot provide documentary evidence of basic formal teaching competence at the time of appointment, must acquire such competence within two years by completing a mandatory pedagogical course provided by UiO.

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 have a personnel policy goal of a balanced age and gender composition of our staff and to recruit persons with an ethnic minority background.

We offer

• salary NOK 497 000-576 100 (57-65) per annum depending on qualifications
• budget for travel and research assistance (currently NOK 40 000 per year)
• a pleasant and stimulating working enviroment
• a good pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• excellent welfare schemes, including possibilities for University kindergarten

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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

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

Contact information

• Title: Head of Department, Professor Anne Julie Semb
• Title: Assistant Head of Department, Associate Professor Jostein Askim
• Title: Dr. Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer

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

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