PhD Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Geography

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a postdoctoral fellow (SKO 1352) in human geography. The position is for a period of four years with 25 % compulsory work (primarily teaching). 

The department is ranked as the premier academic research institute in sociology and human geography in Norway, conducting top international research while offering high quality education for students. The department is renowned both for the breadth of topics and methodologies employed and for its highly qualified researchers.

We seek candidates with the potential to contribute to the development of human geography as a discipline at the department. The fellow is expected to pursue independent research, as outlined in their submitted project proposals. We value the contribution of young scholars to the academic environment and study programmes in the department and encourage candidates with a desire to participate actively in departmental life to apply.

Applicants should have research interests that resonate with ongoing research at the department. We currently have strong research communities in the fields of urban studies, sustainable transformations, work, organisations and politics, social inequality, migration, integration and diversity, cultural and political participation, population dynamics. The call is not thematically limited to these topics, but preference can be given to candidates with a potential to contribute to the ongoing academic dialogue in the department. 

Applicants must be able to teach in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language in order to meet current teaching needs. Applicants with little or no prior pedagogical competence will be encouraged to acquire basic formal teaching competence by participating in pedagogical training provided by UiO.

Residence in Norway is expected. 

Applicants will be assessed on the quality of the project proposal, their academic grades, the quality of the PhD dissertation and publications, the applicant’s personal prerequisites and motivation to carry out the project and teach at the department. The hiring process will include an interview. 

• Applicants must have a PhD degree in human geography or equivalent. Only candidates who received their PhD within the last five years will be considered; family leave etc, should be accounted for in the CV. Applicants must have submitted their doctoral thesis prior to the application closing date.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate through their application letter and project proposal how they will contribute to the development of human geography at the department. Applicants from other disciplinary backgrounds must demonstrate in their application letter that their educational background, scientific production and project proposal fall within the scope of human geography.
• Applicants must have native or near-native competence in a Scandinavian language. Applicants who have completed their education outside of the EU/EEA-area and who do not have English as a native language, must document language skills:
  • TOEFL – with a minimum result of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 80 on the Internet-Based Test (iBT) OR
  • IELTS – International English Language Testing Service, with the result 6.0.

The application must include

• Application letter. Please state your motivation and research interests. 
• A tentative project proposal (5-10 pages). The proposal must include the topic, relevant theory and methods and timeline. The proposal must include a paragraph declaring if and how AI was used in the development of the proposal. Applicants are expected to be able to complete the project during the appointment period. 
• CV with full summary of education, practice and academic work. 
• Academic transcripts (university degrees only). Applicants submitting transcripts from institutions outside the ECTS grading system are advised to include an explanation of their university's grading system. This may be uploaded as an “Attachment.”
• Copy of PhD diploma.
• A complete list of publications. Please identify the 2-3 best publications.
• Up to five academic works (a doctoral dissertation or a monograph will count as three publications).
• List of references: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number).

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Please note that all documents must be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the department’s board and will be based on an evaluation of the overall qualifications of the shortlisted candidates as well as the department’s needs.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

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

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. 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. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Please refer to our Q&A web page before making personal enquiries. Requests to review proposals or supporting documents prior to the closing deadline will not be accommodated. 

• Deputy Head of Department, Professor David Jordhus-Lier
• Administrative Head of Department, Inger-Lise Schwab

University of Oslo