Doktorgradsstipendiater

The position

MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society announces 1-2 PhD fellowships. The starting date for the PhD fellowships will be September 1st, 2025.

A PhD position should lead to a completed PhD degree. The positions are a fully funded, full-time, fixed term position over 3 years, alternatively 3,5-4 years with teaching or other relevant duties included. Proficiency in Norwegian might be expected for such duties.

The positions are open to projects relevant to either of the following topics:

1. Education in Emergencies

Education holds a dual potential that is especially significant in contexts of war and conflict. On the one hand, education contributes to building peace and promoting social coexistence by developing critical thinking and fostering justice. On the other hand, education can be used as a tool to perpetuate conflict, both within societies and between nations, through mechanisms such as biased narratives, censorship and propaganda. We seek projects that explore one or both of these dimensions of education. In an increasingly troubled world where education plays a central role in building up and resolving conflicts, there is a critical need for more research on the role of education in conflict and uncertainties. The PhD candidate is expected to actively participate in the research group Researching Education in a Globalised World and contribute to the broader research community at MF.

2. Religion and masculinity

We seek projects that illuminate the relationship between religion and masculinity. This is based on a possible increase in religiosity among young men in Norway and other Western countries and the need for more empirical research on the causes of this trend. The project may address questions such as: Is the increase in religiosity related to young men's growing political conservatism? Is religious identity, faith, and participation linked to attitudes towards gender roles, national identity, political communities, or moral convictions? Are there geographical differences or socioeconomic factors that can explain why some young men are becoming more religiously engaged than before? The PhD candidate is expected to actively participate in the research group for the sociology of religion at MF and contribute to the broader research community at MF.

Residency in Oslo is a requirement. Hiring is dependent on admission to MF's PhD program. Completion of this program and a satisfactory progression throughout the employment period is a condition that has to be fulfilled. MF expects that project progress and writing production is satisfactory throughout the employment period. There will be a mid-way evaluation of the project.

The successful candidate is expected to work in accordance with MF's aims and profile.

Qualifications

A prerequisite for appointment is:

• Completed master's degree (dissertation minimum 30 credits) at the time of application and in a relevant subject area, or other equivalent education.
• Written and oral presentation skills in a Scandinavian language and / or English.
• Motivation, good collaboration skills, creativity and academic independence.
• Ability to set clear aims, to plan and to complete a doctoral project within the agreed time frame.

The application

The applicants must use the online application form in the portal Jobbnorge.no. Applications must include

1. A presentation of the proposed project (5-10 pages), see guide: https://mf.no/en/studies/programmes/doctoral-degree-programme

2. Preliminary outline of the thesis

3. A progress plan for the entire project period

4. An overview of expected operating expenses for the project (any field work, especially equipment etc.)

5. CV, incl. list of publications

6. List of 2-3 references

The following documents form the basis for the assessment of applicants for research fellow positions:

• Regulations for the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
• Appointment regulations for MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
• The details of the present announcement

Applications will first be subject to an administrative screening by a sorting committee. Only applications meeting the formal criteria in the announcement will be subject to a scholarly evaluation by an expert committee. Reasons for rejection can be insufficient documentation of qualifications, insufficient or irrelevant education or insufficient project description. MF will make use of interviews in the nomination process.

Application, project description, CV, certificate and certified attachments must be sent via wwwjobbnorge.no by the 1st of March 2025.

The final decision on the appointments is planned to take place by June 2025.

Conditions

Starting salary for scholarship holders at the announcement date is NOK 532.200 per year, with 3% annual increase for up to four years. In addition, research fellows will receive up to 20.000 NOK yearly for expenses attached to the project itself.

A compulsory 2 % contribution to the State Pension Fund (Statens pensjonskasse) will be deducted from gross salary. MF also has membership of collective Group Life - and Occupational Injuries Insurance Premium.

Further information by contacting PhD coordinator Mona Gulbrandsen Bø, tel. +47 22590517, phd@mf.no, or vice-rector Kjetil Fretheim, tel. +47 22590625, kjetil.fretheim@mf.no.