Two positions as Doctoral Research fellows are vacant in the Department of Education affiliated to the research group “Expert Cultures and Institutional Dynamics: Studies in higher education and work (ExCID)”.

The research group ExCID focuses on the development of knowledge and the organization of expertise in higher education and working life, and the political governance of these sectors. Of special interest in this are the conditions for participation in societies where the core socio-economic activities and arrangements are increasingly based on expert knowledge. The main analytical approaches used in ExCID projects are an institutional perspective on political governance and organizational dynamics, and a cultural perspective on how knowledge and participation possibilities are organized within and among fields of expertise.

The first position is for a candidate specializing in the research field innovation and learning. Within the overall research focus of the ExCID group the candidate’s research project is expected to be targeted on relationships between organizational learning and innovativeness, or alternatively, the research project can be focused on the relationship between learning within working life and change processes in organizations (organizational innovation) or in society (social innovation).

Concerning the second position we are looking for a candidate specializing in the governance of higher education. Relevant project themes are the national and supranational coordination of knowledge policies; agencification in the governance of higher education; and the changing role and use of expertise in the governance of higher education.

More information about research topics covered by ExCID can be found on the research group’s website: https://www.uv.uio.no/english/research/groups/excid/

Positions as research fellows are fixed-term educational posts where the aim is that the research fellow completes a doctoral degree (PhD) during the period of employment. A prerequisite for the employment is admission to the Faculty’s doctoral degree programme, and applicants’ formal and other qualifications for admission will therefore also be assessed.  Research fellowship positions are defined as recruitment posts and represent an important instrument in the sector’s work of generating qualified applicants for other academic posts at universities and university colleges in the long-term perspective. The doctoral candidate is expected to participate actively in the organized research training and in the Faculty’s research community.

The appointment is made for a period of four years (25% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities). The appointment can have a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

We refer also to Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at the University of Oslo
Qualification requirements

Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD programme. This normally includes:

• Successful completion of a Master’s degree programme or similar higher education programme in the subject area in question or in another relevant subject area.
• Minimum B grade or equivalent for the Master’s degree (ECTS grading scale).

Further information on admission requirements and an application form can be found atthis website.

In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be put on:

• The applicant’s academic aptitude for completing the research training programme.
• The project description, which must be submitted with the application.
• The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including his/her ability to collaborate and to form part of a cross-disciplinary academic community.
• Other qualifications that meet the objectives which form the basis of this type of post.

Good English language skills are also required.

Application procedure

The application must be submitted electronically and must include the following:

• Letter of application
• Project description (cf. Guidance).
• Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree programme
• Certified copies of diplomas, grade transcripts and any other testimonials
• In the event of diplomas from other countries: printouts of prospectuses or similar that describe the content and framework of the courses of study on which the application is based.
• Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application.
• CV that also includes an overview of any previously published academic/scientific works.

Applicants from countries outside the Nordic countries where English is not the official language must attach a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 unless they have a diploma from a university in an English-speaking country.

Incomplete applications will in normal circumstances not be assessed.

As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. At the interview the applicant will be asked to present original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study.

We offer

• Salary in line with pay grades 50 – 57 (NOK 429 700 – 482 800 per annum). Research fellows are normally allocated pay grade 50 on appointment.
• A positive and stimulating working environment
• Pension arrangements in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• A position in an inclusive working life enterprise
• Attractive welfare arrangements

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property rights to research results etc.

Pursuant to section 25, paragraph 2 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act, information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list even though the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo also aims to recruit more individuals with an immigrant background to academic positions. Candidates with an immigrant background are encouraged to apply.