Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science (4 years)

About the position

The Department of Political Science is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352). The call is open to candidates from all subfields of political science. The appointment is for a fixed period of 4 years, with a 25% teaching/administration requirement. This position corresponds to a non-tenured assistant professorship.

We are looking for an excellent candidate with the potential of pursuing a long-term career in academia. We expect a record of publications in refereed high quality international journals or with renowned book publishers, or the potential to develop such a publication record soon (i.e., a record of publications commensurable with the length of the candidate's academic career).

The main purpose of the fellowship is for researchers to qualify for work in higher academic university positions (associate professor level). To this end, the focus of this position is to conduct research, including publication and dissemination, and to teach and contribute to the department's joint research activities. As part of their teaching qualification and duties, the appointed postdoctoral fellow is expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency (https://www.uio.no/link/english/academic-development/index.html) during the fellowship period.

Formal qualifications

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in Political Science or a closely related discipline before taking up the post and must have demonstrated the ability to contribute to political science as a discipline through their research activities. 
• For applicants who have yet to receive their PhD degree, the Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation, or completed and scheduled for submission and evaluation, before the application deadline. 

Other qualifications:

• Applicants must have a very good command of English (written and oral).

The evaluation of applicants is based on documented, academic qualifications and the research plan. 

We will consider qualifications relative to the length of the candidate's academic career (based on the length of the PhD program, the number of years since PhD, and career breaks). Personal suitability, motivation, and compatibility with the rest of the Department are also considered. The most promising candidates are invited to an interview.

We offer

• Salary according to position code “SKO 1352 postdoktor", NOK 595 000-667 700 per year 
• Personal research funds that can be used for e.g., travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45,000 per year) 
• A stimulating and international research environment with multiple research groups and seminar series
• A friendly and inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• Access to Norway's excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare (including the university's kindergartens) 
• Norway's capital with its rich cultural life and easy access to beautiful nature
• Financial and practical support for international staff moving to Norway (https://www.uio.no/english/about/jobs/ismo/) (international staff may also benefit from tax cuts in their first years)
• The university's mentoring programme for female postdocs (https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/competence/gender-equality/mentoring-programme/) 

How to apply

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job". All documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university's grading system.

The online application must include the following items, which are to be submitted before the deadline:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages), including a statement of motivation.
• A research plan (maximum 3000 words excluding references) that includes a theoretical approach, methodology, and a publication plan. The research plan should clarify how your research ideas will contribute to the existing literature in relevant fields.
• A CV summarising education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities. Career breaks, including parental leave, that are noted in the CV will be taken into consideration when evaluating applicants' academic production.
• A complete list of publications
• Copies of educational diplomas and academic transcripts (PhD, MA)
• A copy of what you consider to be your best academic work to date (only one). If this is a co-authored paper/publication, you must additionally submit a declaration of co-authorship specifying your individual contribution and signed by your co-author(s).
• Your PhD dissertation (any language)
• Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letters are not needed.
• Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation must include a letter from their university formally confirming that the dissertation has been submitted for evaluation, or is completed and scheduled for submission, before the application deadline. The exact date it was submitted should be noted in the cover letter.

The application deadline is 15 February 2025. The screening and evaluation of candidates will begin immediately. We expect the whole evaluation process, from the application date to an offer being made, to take 12-16 weeks, depending on the number of applications. The expected start date is summer/fall 2025. 

We aim to increase diversity in our staff, and especially encourage women to apply. 

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo (https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/guidelines-appointment-postdoc-researcher.html).

Pursuant to section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be disclosed to the public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants.

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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

Questions about the position and the process: Deputy Head of Department Professor Tobias Bach; tobias.bach@stv.uio.no 

JobbNorge-related questions: HR-adviser Christine F. Tollefsen; c.f.tollefsen@sv.uio.no