There is a vacancy for a PhD position at the Department of Government, University of Bergen, linked to the research project EcoLogic. The position is for a fixed term period of three years.
The Department covers political science, studies of public policy, public administration, democracy and participation, and an organizational approach to the study of political institutions. Applicants are advised to consult and make themselves familiar with the teaching and research profile of the Department.
The Logic of Measuring, Managing and Governing Ecosystems (EcoLogic) research project is financed by the Norwegian Research Council, led from the Norwegian research institute NORCE, and conducted in partnership with the Department of Government and the Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) at the University of Bergen.
The project studies recent developments in environmental policies, in particular the increased attention towards ecosystems and what the scientific, administrative, and political consequences such a shift may have. It compares the development in this field across Norway and Sweden over the last decade. A main hypothesis is that these changes do not necessarily lead to more “environmentally friendly” policies but may well provide support for a more utilitarian policy approach. The analysis will be based on qualitative interviews with public officials and experts in the two countries, and public documents from political, administrative, and scientific sources.
The data collection and analysis in the PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the researchers in the project. The research group consists of researchers in Norway (University of Bergen and NORCE) and Sweden (Örebro University). Applicants should in their research proposal suggest research questions and perspectives that are relevant to EcoLogic. Applicants are therefore advised to familiarize themselves with EcoLogic’s project description, available here.
The PhD fellow will be employed by the Department of Government and be part of the extensive group of PhD fellows at the department. S/he will have her/his working place at CET. CET is cross-disciplinary research center based at the Faculty of Social Sciences, aiming to create knowledge about how we may achieve deep, rapid, and sustainable transformation of society in the face of climate change
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- The applicant must hold a master’s degree, or the equivalent, in the field of political science, public administration, or a relevant discipline from the social sciences. The thesis must be submitted by the application deadline.
- The requirements are a grade B or better both on the master’s thesis and for the overall master’s degree.
- Competence, experience, and research interests fitting to the EcoLogic project.
- Experience with and skills within relevant methods such as in-depth interviews and document analysis will be emphasized.
- Knowledge about and interest for relevant theoretical perspectives and themes.
- Proficiency in Norwegian or another of the Scandinavian languages is a requirement since the data collection is expected to be within the Norwegian and Swedish context.
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English is an advantage.
- Good cooperation and communication skills, and an ability to work in teams.
- Ability to work independently and systematically.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the department for an interview.
About the PhD position:
The duration of the position is three years. The employment period for the successful candidate may be reduced if he or she previously has been employed in a PhD position. The successful candidate is expected to live and work in Bergen during the term of employment, and to actively take part in common activities at the Department of Government and at CET.
About the PhD training:
As a PhD research fellow, you will take part in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bergen. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the PhD degree. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission.
We can offer:
- Salary as PhD (code 1017) NOK 501 200, – per year. Automatic salary increases for up to 4 years with a 3% annual increase
- A good and professionally challenging working environment
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good university welfare benefits
Project proposal:
A research proposal of maximum 2500 words must accompany the application. The project description should present the topic, the research problem(s) and choice of theory and methods. It should also include a progress plan for the different parts of the project. The research proposal must also include a short description of how the applicant envisions a fit with the EcoLogic project.
The proposal will be considered in the evaluation of applications. The candidate selected for the position can be asked to revise the project proposal within 3 months in cooperation with the project team and the PhD supervisor. Admittance to the PhD programme will be based on the final research proposal.
Your application must include:
- A cover letter detailing the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying
- A 2500-word research proposal
- The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of them must be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent
- CV
- Diplomas and grade transcripts for bachelor and master’s degree
- Relevant certificates, attestations
- A list of scientific work (publication list), if relevant
- A selection of publications, if relevant
- If you have a master’s degree from a foreign institution, or a two-year disciplinary master’s degree (or equivalent) within a discipline other than the one asked for in this call, you may be asked to submit an overview of the syllabus for the master’s degree
Application and attachments with certified translations to English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded to Jobbnorge following the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”.
Closing date: November 17th , 2022. The application must be marked: 22/15427.
Applications submitted without a project description or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.
General information:
Additional information about the position is obtainable by contacting Professor Simon Neby, simon.neby@uib.no, tel: +47 45460249 or +47 55588344.
Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to HR Advisor Gudrun Horvei, Gudrun.Horvei@uib.no.
Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Questions about the programme may be directed to PhD-advisor Hanne Gravermoen, Hanne.Gravermoen@uib.no.
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. 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 successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
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.
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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 seven departments at Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.