Job description

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352) in Sociology or equivalent. The position is for a period of three years without compulsory work or fire years with compulsory work (primarily teaching duties).

More about the position

The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is dedicated to the newly established research center PROMENTA in which the Department of Sociology and Human Geography will participate with the project Drug Policy Reform. We will investigate questions related to the development of international drug policy, new knowledge regimes, drug user careers, social marginalization and the possible consequences of decriminalization of the use and possession of drugs. We will also monitor new patterns of alcohol and drug use among adolescents, associated sociocultural aspects and identities, and new models of prevention and sanctioning by the police and the court system. 

The overall project involves working with a combination of data sources, from historical archives, recent document analyses, ethnographic methods, qualitative interviews, and a variety of quantitative data sets, such as surveys, data from national administrative registers, and so-called geodata.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will primarily work with quantitative data sources but also contribute to the theorizing of the development and effects of a new drug policy.

The Postdoctoral fellow will be part of the larger interdisciplinary PROMENTA center and take part in a number of activities involving researchers from other disciplines and institutes. At the Department of Sociology and Human Geography, the Fellow will work closely with a research group consisting of Professors Willy Pedersen, Arne Mastekaasa, Torbjørn Skardhamar and Cathrine Holst. Professor Tilmann von Soest at the Department of Psychology will also be part of the group.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Sociology or related field. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing application date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Applicants must have the capacity for independent academic research at a high level, preferably documented through publications in international journals.
• Applicants must be familiar with important sociological theories and approaches.
• Applicants must have experience with working with large data sets.
• Applicants must have advanced knowledge of relevant quantitative research methods.
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

Residence in Norway is expected, but Postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period.

We offer

• salary NOK 515 200 - 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research project. 
• CV summarizing education, positions, research experience, and other qualifying activity 
• A complete list of publications 
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only) 
• Up to five academic works that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process (a doctoral dissertation or a monograph will count as three publications). 

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed upon the academic and personal capacity of the candidate to contribute to the project within the given timeframe, to interact within national and international networks, and to be part of a dynamic research group. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

The final hiring decision is the responsibility of the Department Board. The length of the employment period will be based on a consideration of the Department’s budget situation. In addition, teaching needs and the overall qualifications of the successful candidate will be taken into consideration

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure 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

• Professor Willy Pedersen (project leader)
• Head of Administration, Inger-Lise Schwab

About the University of Oslo 

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Department of Sociology and Human Geography is Norway's leading department for both Sociology and Human Geography. The Department offers four Bachelor's and three Master's programmes. Research, teaching and dissemination activities within both fields are of the highest level. The Department is renowned both for the breadth of topics and methodologies employed and for its highly qualified researchers. Gender balance among the academic staff is an important distinguishing feature. The Department has 35 permanent academic staff, nearly 40 doctoral and post doctoral research fellows and 12 administrative staff members. There are approximately 80 PhD. candidates and 1500 students enrolled in the Department.