Researcher position in political science (three years)

Job description

We are offering a temporary researcher position (senior level, with PhD) with a specialization in public policy and administration or comparative politics. This position is part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe Consortium “Sustainable Public Administration in Modern Democracies (SUPA)," which includes various research institutions across Europe and beyond.

The analytical starting point of the SUPA Consortium is the observation that democratic governments often produce more policies than they can effectively implement. The key aims are (1) to identify strategies that make policy growth more sustainable and (2) to develop approaches that enhance the resilience of public administrations against the threat of overburdening. Within this broader consortium, the UiO team is specifically tasked with investigating how new policies generate additional implementation loads and examining the distribution of these burdens across various public authorities. The expectation is that public authorities will encounter different types of chances and challenges depending on how the new implementation tasks are spread or concentrated among them. The empirical focus of this Consortium centers on social and environmental/climate implementation authorities in six European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands). and the European Union level. Additionally, UiO is the lead institution within the consortium, which means it is also tasked with coordination the individual members, crafting policy briefs, orchestrating workshops and webinars with policy-makers, administrators, and civil society actors, and organizing events with leading scholars. 

The researcher will contribute to data collection and the analysis of the link between policy growth and changes in public administration. Additionally, the researcher will be involved in setting up the consortium and the consortium's impact and outreach activities.

Qualifications

Formal qualification requirements

• 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. 
• For applicants who have yet to receive their PhD degree, the Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline.

Other qualifications

• Previous research into and familiarity with one or more of the topics covered by SUPA is an advantage. 
• Applicants are required to possess robust empirical research expertise within the realm of political science. They should be proficient in conducting quantitative or qualitative analyses.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to produce high-level academic outputs as well as the capability to communicate complex research insights in a clear and accessible manner to both non-experts and practitioners. Previous experience in managing larger research projects is an advantage.
• Applicants must have a very good command of English (written and oral).
• Country-specific knowledge and language skills for one or more of the following countries is an advantage: Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to organize various types of workshops and events, as well as effectively communicate with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

The evaluation of applicants is based on documented, academic qualifications. Personal suitability, motivation, and compatibility with the rest of the project team are also considered. The most promising candidates are invited to an interview.

We offer

• Salary according to position code “1109 Researcher with PhD", pay NOK 636.000 - 710.000 per year depending on qualifications
• Budget for travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45 000 per year). 
• An academically stimulating and international working environment
• A friendly and inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• An excellent pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Fund
• Access to Norway's excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare. 
• Oslo's family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• Involvement in a large research consortium that provides opportunities to build a network across Europe and to directly engage with practitioners and decision-makers.

How to apply

The online application must include the following items:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages, including statement of motivation, summarizing research interests, and how the applicant will contribute to the department/project)
• A CV summarizing education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities
• A complete list of publications (if not included in the CV)
• Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letter not needed.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system; please follow the link “Apply for this job". Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application deadline is 16 December 2024. The screening and evaluation of the candidates will begin immediately. Candidates in the final evaluation will be asked to send in their best publications. We expect the whole evaluation process, from the application date to an offer is made, to take approximately 2 months, depending on the number of applications. Expected starting month is March 2025 (or a mutually-agreed upon date).

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova), information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, even 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.

Contact information

PI, Associate Professor Yves Steinebach: yves.steinebach@stv.uio.no 

Head of Research, Professor Tobias Bach: tobias.bach@stv.uio.no 

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