Job description
As a PhD research fellow, you will be expected to develop and implement your own PhD project on a theme related to ARENA’s research. Depending on the topic chosen, you may be connected to ongoing research projects at ARENA, which includes research on democratic backsliding and the rule of law, post-truth politics in Europe, the political economy of the European single market, the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, differentiated European integration, national compliance with European law and judicial politics in the European Union.
You are welcome to get in contact with ARENA’s Director Daniel Naurin, or any other staff at the Centre, if you have questions regarding your proposed project’s potential fit with ARENA’s research. For more information about ARENA’s ongoing research projects, see https://www.sv.uio.no/arena/english/research/projects/
As a PhD research fellow, you will have your base at ARENA Centre for European Studies. You will be expected to be present in Oslo and to participate in ongoing activities at ARENA.The successful candidate will be part of the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo.
More about the position
The PhD fellowships are for three years. A fourth year of duty work can be considered, depending on the competence of the applicant and the availability of tasks and needs of the centre and faculty.
They are fulltime salaried positions, starting in October 2022 (or at a mutually agreed-upon date). You will be provided with office space, equipment, and services as well as necessary resources for research related field work and conference travel.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Master’s degree in Social Sciences (which meets the requirements of enrolment in the PhD programme) before taking up the position.
ARENA’s working language is English. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are therefore required.
In assessing the candidates, particular emphasis will be placed on (1) submitted writing samples, (2) the quality and relevance of the project proposal, (3) other academic qualifications (including transcripts or other previous merits), (4) recommendations. Finally, personal suitability and motivation will be taken into consideration. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview.
We offer
- A salary of NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum, depending on qualifications, in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
- An academically stimulating and international research environment combined with a friendly and inclusive work environment
- A good work-life balance and access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare.
- Attractive welfare benefits, including a generous pension agreement.
- The city of Oslo: A unique mix of vibrant city life and extraordinary nature with rich opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities.
Information for international applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. To give you an idea of what we and Oslo have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:
https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/
https://www.uio.no/english/about/vacancies/ismo/
How to apply
The online application must include:
1. A cover letter of 1000 words maximum (approx. 2 pages). The letter should consist of four paragraphs in the following order:
a) a short presentation of yourself,
b) a short presentation of your merits,
c) a short presentation of the intended research project and
d) a short account of why ARENA is of interest to you.
2 A project proposal of 2500 words maximum (approx. 6 pages), excluding bibliography, indicating your research interests and planned focus area. The project description must demonstrate familiarity with previous research within the relevant area, an ability to formulate scientific problems and to specify a relevant research design and methods.
3 A CV summarizing your education, any academic employments or other qualifying activities and publications you may have. The period of enrolment (admission – completion) in the master programme you have attended must be specified.
4 Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts from university degrees only)
5 Up to two writing samples (e.g. your master’s thesis or published articles). Please note that there is no separate prompt for uploading such documents in the application portal. These must therefore be uploaded as separate “Attachments”
6 Names and contact details of two persons from whom recommendation letters may be solicited. You should indicate your relation to these persons. Please do not submit any recommendation letters before we contact you and explicitly ask you to.
The application and all supporting documents must be must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”.
International applicants are advised to attach an official explanation of their University’s grading system, translated into ECTS. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
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
For further information regarding the position, please contact
- Daniel Naurin, Professor, Director of ARENA
- Ida Hjelmesæth, Administrative director
About the 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.
ARENA Centre for European Studies is a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Oslo, studying the direction, dynamics and sustainability of the evolving European political order. The Centre has conducted research on political, economic, legal and social integration, transformation and cooperation in Europe since 1994. ARENA hosts several nationally and internationally funded research projects and is engaged in a series of international networks.