PhD or Postdoctoral Fellowship in Populism Research

28 Dec 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Stavanger

Department

Faculty of Social Sciences

Research Field

Political sciences » Policy studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

28 Jan 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
Job description

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD or Postdoctoral Fellowship in Populism at the Faculty of Social Sciences. The position is affiliated with Centre for Gender Studies and vacant from February 1st, 2024.

This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development either through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree or postdoctoral training.

The PhD candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Radical Interdisciplinarity (ITEM). The education includes relevant courses to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture, and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS
on our website.

The appointment for the PhD candidate is for three years with research duties exclusively.The appointment for the postdoctoral position is for two years with research duties exclusively.

The PhD Fellow/Postdoctoral Fellow will be affiliated with the following project Polarisation, Affect, Identity: Nordic Populism and the Media Landscape (POL-AID), funded by the Research Council of Norway.

If several applicants are considered to have equivalent project proposals, we will prioritise applicants for the PhD position. 

Research topic

The POL-AID project seeks to rethink populist practices in the Nordic hybrid-media landscape. It investigates how populism creates and mobilises political identities and divisions. POL-AID analyses populist practices in four Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. It focuses primarily on studying two features of media discourses in these countries:

• How are Nordic populisms currently undergoing change and renewal?
• How are identities and antagonisms created, and are how neutral signifiers and symbols given new affective connotations?

Our principal empirical research question is: How are identities, antagonisms, and affective signifiers constructed in each country and their different medialised fora? To answer this, the project provides interpretative analyses at the national level, as well as comparative analyses at the Nordic level. This will be particularly interesting in terms of how Nordic populisms are currently undergoing change and renewal, and the implications this has for Nordic societies and democratic politics. The project will collect and compile data material consisting of text, images, and video material from hybrid-media sources. The project draws on theory and methods related to discursive and cultural approaches to populism. Project proposals should relate to concepts such as populism, affect, discourse, and media.

The candidate is expected to work primarily on data collection for country cases, but also contribute to analyses of said country cases, as well as the cross-Nordic comparative analysis. We are therefore looking for applicants capable to collect, interpret and analyse textual data sources from either or several of these countries. 

It is assumed that the candidate will work full time on the project and participate in project events and collaborations with partnering universities (Roskilde University, University of Agder, Stockholm University, and Helsinki University), as well as participate in the local academic community at UiS. The research consortium consists of researchers within media and communication, political science, sociology, and gender studies. The candidate will be able to develop their own independent analysis of data collected for the project.

 

Project proposal

As an applicant, you must prepare a preliminary project proposal for a doctoral/postdoctoral project within the subject area, which explains the problem, relevance, theoretical and methodological approach. Your preliminary project proposal will be included in the application assessment.

For applicants to the PhD fellowship:
During the first three months of the employment period, the project proposal and progress plan will be further developed in cooperation with your supervisors and completed for the final plan for the PhD-project. A project proposal template can be found here.

For applicants to the Postdoctoral fellowship: 
You must submit project proposal including research plan (max 5 page), there is no template for the proposal.

Qualification requirements

Applicants for the PhD position:
We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background. Applicants for a PhD fellowship must have completed a five-year master’s degree (3+2) within social, political, or humanist sciences, such as sociology, political sciences, gender studies or media and communication, preferably acquired recently; or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (master’s degree) in the spring of 2024, you are also welcome to apply. 

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales  to calculate your points for admission.

Applicants for the Postdoctoral Fellowship:
You must have a PhD in a discipline relevant for the project. The PhD thesis must have been submitted for evaluation within the application deadline for the position and approved before starting the position.

For both positions: 
You must be fluent in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Danish or Swedish). You must also have a good command of both oral and written English.

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload

Requirements for competence in English for PhD candidates

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
• Applicants with a completed bachelor's and / or master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on NOKUT's GSU list

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale for PhD Fellow, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 532 200 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. 
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale for Postdoctoral Fellow, l.pl 17.515, code 1352, NOK 615 700 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. 
• From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club  at campus
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• "Hjem-jobb-hjem"  discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme
• language courses : On this page you can see which language courses you may be entitled to (look up “language courses” under employment conditions)

Diversity

We see diversity as a resource in our work and learning environment, and we are committed to respecting each other's differences and backgrounds.

Universal design characterises physical and digital learning environments, and we strive to provide adjustments for employees with disabilities.

You are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, cultural background, disability, or if you have been without employment for a period of time.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position.

Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here .

The university aims to recruit more men within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, male applicants will be given priority.

Contact information

More information on the position can be obtained from professor Lene Myong, tlf +47 51 83 15 09, e-mail: [email protected] . More information about the project POL-AID and the and project description can be obtained from associate professor Liv Sunnercrantz, tel: +47 51 83 16 34, e-mail: [email protected] .

Information about the appointment procedure can be obtained from HR-advisor Christina Storm, tel: +47 51 83 17 53, e-mail: [email protected] .

Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. In your application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• PhD candidates: project proposal, a project proposal template can be found here . 
• Postdoctoral Fellow: a project proposal including research plan (max 5 page), there is no template for the proposal
• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in English if this is required
• applicants for the postdoctoral position must submit 1 - 2 scientific publications

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further assessment.

Employment as PhD Fellow is regulated in "Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow and research fellow, research assistant and resident ".

Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research.

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the Norwegian text takes precedence.

UiS - challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.

In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.

Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Social Sciences has about 2,400 students and 210 employees. The studies are based on a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge, on interdisciplinarity and cooperation with public and private sectors. New knowledge is generated from both practical experience and systematic research, or a combination of them. The educational offer is varied and includes Hospitality and Tourism, Media, Sociology, Social Work and Child Welfare, amongst others. The Faculty consists of: Department of Media and Social Sciences, Department of Social Studies and the Norwegian School of Hotel Management.

Questions about the position

Liv Sunnercrantz
Førsteamanuensis
51 83 16 34
[email protected]

Lene Myong
Professor
51 83 15 09
[email protected]

Christina Storm
HR-rådgiver
51 83 17 53
[email protected]

Requirements

Research Field

Political sciences » Policy studies

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Stavanger

Country

Norway

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/255027/phd-or-postdoctoral-fello…

Contact

City

STAVANGER

Website

http://www.uis.no

Street

Ullandhaug

Postal Code

N-4036

STATUS: EXPIRED