Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science (3-4 years)

Join the innovative culture at UiO as a Postdoctoral Fellow! Drive impactful research and shape your career.

About the position

The Department of Political Science is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352) with specialisation in public policy and administration, comparative politics or international relations. The successful applicant will work with the political science component of the interdisciplinary research project “Renewable energy-driven recycling of CO2 and H2O to consumer products and fuels, (CH-CYCLE)”. The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three years. Depending on the candidate’s competence and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period can be extended up to four years for other types of qualification work including various teaching tasks and obligations.

The primary aim of CH-CYCLE is to understand how to overcome key technological, environmental and political obstacles to renewable energy driven recycling of CO2 and H2O to consumer products and fuels. The political science component of CH-CYCLE explores policies that influence the development of Carbon Removals, and particularly Carbon Capture and Usage. Three political science issues are crucial to CH-CYCLE. First, Europeanization of CCU policies, for instance studies of the relationship between national and EU-level policy developments in countries such as Germany and Norway. Second, examining science-policy relationships relating to CCU. This may include studies of how varying expert communities portray the role of Carbon Capture and Usage in the climate transition, for instance through modelling. Third, studies of CCU relevant policy developments at the national level, for instance explored through process-tracing or large-text assessments. The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to contribute to cross-disciplinary publications in the CH-CYCLE project. See more information about the project here: Renewable energy-driven recycling of CO₂ and H₂O into consumer products and fuels (CH-CYCLE) - UiO:Energy and Environment

The project is led by Unni Olsbye, Department of Chemistry, and co-organized by Sabrina Sartory, Department of Technology Systems and Elin Lerum Boasson, Department of Political Science. The political science component is led by Elin Lerum Boasson and will form part of the department's research group on Policy, Bureaucracy, and Organisation (PBO). 

A postdoctoral position is intended to help the successful candidate develop a research profile and competencies that qualify them to apply for a permanent position in academia. To this end, the main focus of this position is to conduct research, including publication and dissemination. In addition, the fellow is expected to actively contribute to the broader research agenda and environment of the CH-CYCLE project. If the postdoctoral researcher does not already possess the teaching/pedagogical qualifications that meet the requirements for an associate professorship (incl. formal training), the department shall facilitate the acquisition of such qualifications during the employment period. Additionally, the position may provide other competencies relevant to the postdoctoral fellow’s future career.

To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are expected to submit a career development plan, specifying career goals and the competencies that the postdoctoral fellow should acquire, no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period. The department is responsible for ensuring that the plan is followed up and that the postdoctoral researcher has access to career guidance throughout the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship.

About a postdoctoral position

A postdoctoral position is intended to help the successful candidate develop a research profile and competencies that qualify them to apply for a permanent position in academia. To this end, the main focus of this position is to conduct research, including publication and dissemination. In addition, the fellow is expected to actively contribute to the broader research agenda and environment of the CH-CYCLE project. If the postdoctoral researcher does not already possess the teaching/pedagogical qualifications that meet the requirements for an associate professorship (incl. formal training), the department shall facilitate the acquisition of such qualifications during the employment period. Additionally, the position may provide other competencies relevant to the postdoctoral fellow’s future career.

To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are expected to submit a career development plan, specifying career goals and the competencies that the postdoctoral fellow should acquire, no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period. The department is responsible for ensuring that the plan is followed up and that the postdoctoral researcher has access to career guidance throughout the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship.

Formal qualifications

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in Political Science or a closely related discipline before taking up the post. 
• For applicants who have yet to receive their PhD degree, the Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation, or completed and scheduled for submission and evaluation, before the application deadline. 

Other qualifications

• Applicants must have a very good command of English (written and oral).
• Previous research into and familiarity with Carbon Removal policy is no requirement, but prior experience with research on climate governance or EU studies is an advantage. 
• Applicants are required to possess robust empirical research expertise within the realm of political science. They should be proficient in conducting quantitative or qualitative analyses.
• Alongside developing own research ideas, applicants should be capable of turning those ideas into well-structured and coherent scholarly papers. This involves possessing strong writing abilities and the capacity to see a writing project through from the planning stages to completion.

We will consider qualifications relative to the length of the candidate’s academic career (based on the length of the PhD program, the number of years since PhD, and career breaks). Personal suitability, motivation, and compatibility with the rest of the project team are also considered. The most promising candidates are invited to an interview.

We offer

• Salary according to “SKO 1352 postdoktor”, NOK 610 000-690 000 per year 
• Personal research funds that can be used for e.g. travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45,000 per year) 
• A stimulating and international research environment with multiple research groups and seminar series
• A friendly and inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• Attractive UiO welfare benefits
• Access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare (including the university’s kindergartens)
• Norway’s capital with its easy access to beautiful nature and rich cultural life
• Financial and practical support for international staff moving to Norway (international staff may also benefit from tax cuts in their first years)
• Individual mentoring and annual career development conversation based on the submitted career plan
• Various courses and workshops for supporting career development (e.g. on dissemination and presentation skills, op-ed writing, research project management, stress-management etc.)
• The university’s mentoring programme for female postdocs

We need different perspectives in our work 

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures. 

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”. All documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. 

The online application must include the following items, which are to be submitted before the deadline:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages), including a statement of motivation
• A short memo, 1,000 – 1,500 words, specifying how the candidate aims to contribute to the CH-CYCLE project. 
• A CV summarizing education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities. Career breaks, including parental leave, that are noted in the CV will be taken into consideration when evaluating applicants’ academic production.
• A complete list of publications
• Copies of educational diplomas and academic transcripts (PhD, MA)
• A copy of what you consider to be your best academic work to date (only one). This can also be an unpublished manuscript. If this is a co-authored paper/publication, you must additionally submit a declaration of co-authorship specifying your individual contribution and signed by your co-author(s).
• Your PhD dissertation
• Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letters are not needed
• Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation must include a letter formally confirming that the dissertation has been submitted for evaluation, or is completed and scheduled for submission, before the application deadline. The exact date it was submitted should be noted in the cover letter.

The application deadline is February 6th, 2026, 23:59 CET. The screening and evaluation of candidates will begin immediately after the deadline. We expect the whole evaluation process, from the application deadline to an offer being made, to take 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the number of applications. The expected start date is September 1st, 2026, but an earlier start is also possible. 

General information

The most highly qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.

A list of applicants may be published in accordance with Section 25 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list; however, you must provide a justification for your request. We will then consider whether the exemption can be granted. If the request cannot be accommodated, we will notify you.

For more information, please refer to:

• Regulations for the Act on Universities and Colleges, Chapter 3 (Norwegian)
• Guidelines concerning appointment to postdoctoral and research positions at UiO
• Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees to secure the rights to all research results and related intellectual property.

Due to the high volume of applicants and the complexity of the recruitment processes, the Department of Political Science does not have the resources to offer individual assessments or feedback to applicants. This means that we are not able to evaluate the eligibility of each candidate, nor determine whether an applicant’s education fulfills the requirements set out in the vacancy announcement. The listed requirements constitute the basis on which we determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualifications, and it is therefore important that applicants read these requirements carefully before applying. The recommendation prepared by the interview committee is exempt from public disclosure. 

Please note that we are unable to add documentation after the application deadline. As the deadline applies equally to all applicants, this policy ensures equal treatment throughout the recruitment process. If you experience difficulties uploading documents in Jobbnorge, please contact their customer service:

Phone: +47 75 54 22 20
Email: support@grade.com 

The primary method of communication throughout the process will be e-mails and messages through the recruitment system Jobbnorge. When you receive a notification of a message in Jobbnorge, please log in to read it, as it may be important.

Shortlisted candidates may also receive an invitation to interview for the post through this system.

All applicants will receive the following information:

• an automated e-mail confirming that we have received your application
• an e-mail with information about the process once the application deadline has passed
• an e-mail once the proceedings have concluded, with information of who have been offered the post
• the list of applicants, referred to above, will be available under your profile in Jobbnorge after the deadline has passed.

University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28,000 students and 7,000 employees in a broad range of academic disciplines. UiO has shaped society for over 200 years. As a leading European university, it promotes independent and innovative research, and offers outstanding education.  

The Department of Political Science is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. It is the largest political science department in Norway and covers all subfields of the discipline: international politics, public policy and administration, comparative politics, political theory and research methods. The department offers a vibrant academic environment with a good mix of permanent staff, postdoctoral and PhD fellows. Around 1,400 students are currently enrolled at BA, MA and PhD level. The department runs two large political science programmes at BA and MA level and a specialized programme in Peace and Conflict Studies at MA level. In addition, the department hosts interdisciplinary study programmes in International Studies and Public Administration and Leadership. The department has several research groups, including Comparative Institutions and Regimes, Policy, Bureaucracy and Organisation, Oslo Political Theory and Political Data Science. The Department also hosts the interdisciplinary Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX).

Questions about the position

Tobias Bach

Professor

tobias.bach@stv.uio.no

Elin Lerum Boasson

Professor

e.l.boasson@stv.uio.no