Stipendiat i japansk og/eller kinesisk knytt til forskargruppa Multilingualism on My Mind

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PhD Research Fellowship in Chinese and/or Japanese within the research group Multilingualism on My Mind 

The Department of Foreign Languages invites applications for a PhD position in Chinese and/or Japanese commencing from 1st August 2025, or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years. The call is open to projects within the psychology of learning and teaching Chinese and/or Japanese as a foreign language, as well as other topics related to these two languages in education and society from a multilingualism perspective.  

The Department of Foreign Languages spans nine different languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish language and Latin-American Studies. Teaching and research are conducted in the disciplines of language/linguistics, literature, history/cultural studies and didactics. The Department has around 60 permanent academic staff members, along with approximately 20 PhD and postdoctoral fellows, and eleven administrative members of staff. See http://www.uib.no/en/fremmedsprak (http://www.uib.no/en/fremmedsprak) for more information about the Department. 

The PhD candidate will be a member of the research group Multilingualism on My Mind, led by Professor Åsta Haukås. The group's principal areas of interest include investigating the psychology of language learning and teaching, and the development of multilingual and intercultural awareness and identity among language learners of all ages, students of teacher training programmes, and language teachers in various educational settings. Moreover, topics related to multilingualism in society are also explored. The PhD candidate's research project is expected to advance our knowledge in one or more of these fields, focusing on Chinese and/or Japanese, possibly in combination with other languages.   

About the PhD position and the research training 

The main purpose of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral degree, which qualifies for independent research and other forms of employment that demand specific competency. 

The duration of the PhD position is four years. The time allocated to the research project itself is 2.5 years, whilst a total of one year will be devoted to other, career-promoting work such as teaching, dissemination of results and university administration. A plan for this part of the position will be established in collaboration with the Department.  The remaining six months will be allocated to formal training. As a PhD candidate, you must participate in the Faculty of Humanities' ph.d program program (https://www.uib.no/en/hf/136427/content-and-structure-phd-programme). The PhD programme comprises a training component corresponding to 30 ECTS.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian master's degree or an equivalent foreign degree in Chinese or Japanese studies, Chinese or Japanese as a foreign language, or Chinese or Japanese language education.  It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded by the application deadline. Foreign degrees will be evaluated according to the regulations of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) and The Faculty of Humanities' PhD Programme plan.  
• The applicant has to be able to work independently in a structured manner and have strong cooperation skills.  
• The applicant must be fluent in both written and oral English, and have documented proficiency in Chinese or Japanese.  
• Documented skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. 
• Experience with dissemination work will be an advantage.  
   

Applicants will be evaluated according to admission requirements in The Faculty of Humanities' PhD Program pt. 2.1 (https://www.uib.no/en/hf/136427/content-and-structure-phd-programme#2-admission).

Applicants must submit a proposal for a research project that will result in a doctoral dissertation, as well as a progression plan for the project. 

The assessment of the application will be based on the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed PhD project and the academic qualifications of the candidate.  Strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant's personal eligibility will also be taken into account.  

We can offer:  

• A stimulating and professionally challenging work environment.  
• Gross annual salary of NOK 560 000  for a full-time position (code 1017). Further salary increases will be based on seniority in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.  
• Good welfare benefits.  

How to apply

Applications must be sent electronically via the link on this site: “APPLY FOR THIS JOB". The applicant must use the electronic CV form. The application must include:  

• Applicants must submit a draft proposal for a research project, within the research interests of Multilingualism on My Mind linked to Chinese and/or Japanese, that will result in a doctoral dissertation, as well as a progress plan for the project. The project proposal should be of up to five pages/12.000 characters including spaces (the bibliography not included). The project proposal should describe the research project, including research background, main research questions, theory, method, etc. The proposal must also clearly show how the PhD project fits into profile of the research group Multilingualism on My Mind.  
• Bibliography for the proposed project.  
• A progression plan for the whole duration of the project, including time for the career-promoting work and obligatory training component.
• A brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position.  
• CV.  
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. This must contain information about the number of ECTS of the master's degree or be followed by an official and personalized confirmation with this information issued by the awarding institution.  
• A short summary of the master's thesis or equivalent thesis (up to three pages).  
• Documentation of proficiency in English
• Documentation of proficiency in Chinese or Japanese
• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).  
• Publications in your name (up to three works).  
• Relevant certificates/references.  
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main supervisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis.  

The application and attachments must be in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. Please ensure that all attachments are in either Word or PDF format and are uploaded to Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

The Committee of Experts may occasionally request additional documentation be submitted.  

Shortlisted candidates will be called in to an interview.  

For further information about the appointment process, click here (https://www.uib.no/en/hr/74459/appointment-process).  

Formal regulations 

Applicants who have already held a PhD position at the University of Bergen are not eligible to apply for this position.  

The employment period may be reduced for candidates who have previously been employed in a recruitment position at other institutions.  

The PhD position demands that the applicant has their regular workplace at the University of Bergen and comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.  

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting Head of Department, Martin Paulsen on e-mail m.paulsen@uib.no or telephone (+47) 55 58 23 86. Questions concerning the subject area and research group can be directed to Professor Åsta Haukås, by e-mail at asta.haukas@uib.no .  

Questions or inquiries about the electronic application process can be directed to the Faculty of Humanities at fakadm@hf.uib.no.  

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage men to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply. 

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.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrtp6VxMeJ4&index=2&list=PLf8ZIYfAO0qjhROTj6SthDbSScg0lSO6G