The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) offers a PhD position for a candidate interested in critical analysis of how societies mobilize and deploy knowledge to inform decision-making on pressing societal issues such as climate adaptation, biodiversity loss, chemical risks and pandemics. The successful candidate will be part of a highly qualified interdisciplinary and collaborative international team under the supervision of Prof. Jeroen van der Sluijs. The position is for a fixed-term period of 4 years, of which 25% will be dedicated to teaching, supervision and administrative tasks at the Centre.
The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) is an interdisciplinary, interfaculty centre at the University of Bergen. The research community at SVT includes multiple disciplines: philosophy of science, history, sociology, science and technology studies (STS), ethics and other disciplines that study research practices.
About the project/work tasks:
The position is part of a transdisciplinary research program and initiative for establishing an international Centre of Excellence on actionable knowledge: AcKnowledges (for more information, see https://www.uib.no/en/acknowledges). The problem addressed is the following. Pressing complex issues such as pandemics, chemical risks, climate adaptation and biodiversity loss exemplify society’s heavy reliance on institutionalised expertise to inform and justify action. But in deploying knowledge for action, a narrow selection of knowledge is privileged, while other knowledge is silenced. Faced with uncertainty, high stakes, disputed values and urgent decision-making, a plurality of knowledges must be considered when finding ways to properly scope the decision space. The research will explore and assess whether a turn to a more inclusive and socially robust knowledge base, attentive to epistemic pluralism, can expand the range of policy options, avoid addressing the wrong problems and reduce unforeseen impacts.
Transdisciplinary study of actionable knowledge seeks to advance empirical, theoretical and normative insights into what makes knowledge actionable. Grounded in comparative analysis of salient cases, the research aims to uncover the processes that shape which knowledges are privileged and which are silenced, marginalised, or ignored in institutionalised expertise in complexly interlinked cases (pandemics, chemical risks, climate adaptation and biodiversity loss) according to: (a) the dominating thought styles and framings; (b) the underpinning historical and cultural/cognitive processes; (c) the role of context and power; (d) the role of ethics and value judgements.
The PhD fellow is expected to carry out independent empirical work in line with the above aim, within one of the four case-areas: pandemics, chemical risks, climate adaptation and biodiversity loss and applying one or more of the analytical lenses (a-d mentioned in the aim above).
The PhD fellow is expected to be able to work both independently and collaboratively within an transdisciplinary research environment, under the main supervision of prof. Jeroen van der Sluijs, and, depending on the chosen case and lens(es), co-supervised by one or more of the principal investigators involved in AcKnowledges (see https://www.uib.no/en/acknowledges/149066/partners-and-people#principle-investigators).
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- The applicant must hold a Norwegian master’s degree or an equivalent foreign degree, or have submitted his/her master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline, within any discipline relevant to the SVT and the AcKnowledges project, which could include for example science and technology studies, sustainable development, sustainability science, environmental studies, social studies of science or similar. It is a condition of employment that the master has been awarded before appointment to the position. For applicants that document education other than a Norwegian Master’s degree will the education be evaluated against NOKUT standards and the documentation may be sent to NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) for evaluation.
- The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the Master degree in total.
- Prior experience with studying the interface between science and policy is an advantage.
- Applicants should have demonstrated affinity with interdisciplinary work and demonstrated originality in research.
- Work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to be self-motivated and to cooperate with others in teams.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in both written and oral English.
In assessing the applications, both the academic quality of the project and the applicant’s qualification will be considered. In cases where ranked applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant’s personal eligibility will be taken into account.
About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):
The fellowship will be for a period of 4 years. The employment period may be reduced for candidates who have previously been employed in a recruitment position at other institutions. Applicants who have already held a PhD position at the University of Bergen are not eligible for employment.
The PhD Candidates must participate in an approved educational program for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years, this entails completing a training component of 30 ECTS, annual progress reporting and a midway evaluation halfway through the PhD period. Click here for additional details on the content and requirements of the PhD program at the Faculty of Humanities.
We can offer:
- A good and professionally stimulating working environment
- Salary at pay grade 54 (code 1017) according to the state salary scale upon appointment. This currently amounts to an annual salary of NOK 490 800 before taxes. Further salary advancement will depend on seniority in the position.
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
The application must be sent electronically via the link «APPLY FOR THE JOB» on this page. The applicant must use the electronic CV form, and the application must contain:
- Dissertation proposal, 3 to 5 pages. The proposed research should fit well into the above described project.
- A cover letter outlining: (i) your motivations for applying; (ii) your research qualifications and interests; and iii) what contributions you can bring to the project.
- Name and contact information for 2 reference persons
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
- Relevant certificates/references.
- List of scientific work if any, (publication list), including submission of the one or two most relevant to the position / project, if applicable.
- Other relevant publications.
The enclosures can be submitted as Word- or pdf-files.
Copies of academic publications (if any), higher education certificates and diplomas must be accompanied by a translation into English or Scandinavian if not written in either of these languages. The translations must be sent together with copies of academic publications within the deadline of application.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Jeroen van der Sluijs, SVT, email: jeroen.sluijs@uib.no, +47 55 58 27 95, or Head of Administration Tone Lund-Olsen (email: tone.lund-olsen@uib.no, +47 55583312). The applicant is welcome to contact van der Sluijs and/or one of the possible co-supervisors to discuss ideas for their proposal.
The state workforce shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. 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 best qualified applicants will be invited to an interview before the final recommendation.
Any queries or problems concerning the electronical application procedure should be directed to The Faculty of Humanities by email: fakadm@hf.uib.no.
For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Life as a PhD candidate at UiB
Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrtp6VxMeJ4?autoplay=0&modestbranding=1&playsinline=0&rel=0&start=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobbnorge.no&widgetid=2
About UiB
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
There are four departments and two centres at Faculty of Humanities. Read more about the faculty and departments.