About the position 

At the Department of Sociology and Political Science (ISS), NTNU Trondheim there is a vacant temporary position as Postdoctoral Fellow in political science for a period of three years, with 67% research and 33% teaching obligation. The position is connected to the research group Elections, Values, and Political Communication

The position is intended to engage in a research project on “Citizen Responses to European Union Communication”. European Union (EU) institutions are acutely aware that their legitimacy is precarious. Many citizens are skeptical toward the EU and oppose membership. EU institutions therefore invest a lot of resources into communication. Through communicative authority exercise, they try to bolster the EU’s legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens. The EU sends out daily press releases, reports to specific sectoral stake holders, its officials travel to all member states to engage with citizens, and every major EU institution and official has their own social media accounts, to reach out to citizens directly.

The project “Citizen Responses to European Union Communication” sets out to investigate the effect of this self-legitimation by the EU on citizen opinions. Do citizens become more supportive of the EU when exposed to communication by EU institutions and officials? Which types of communicative authority exercise elicit what type of responses? What are the causal mechanisms linking communicative practice to citizen opinion? Are these patterns uniform across member states? These are research questions that this postdoc position could address, for example through a comparative experimental survey design. What exactly the project will focus on within this framework, and how, will be up to the postdoctoral fellow to define.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Develop a personal project within the framework of «Citizen Responses to European Union Communication», in collaboration with project leader Pieter de Wilde.
• Engage in ambitious internationally-oriented social science research.
• Contribute to the research group Elections, Values and Political Communication (EVPOC).
• Contribute to teaching within the department within the confines of the position.

Required selection criteria

• A Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in political science or another relevant field. Candidates who are in the final stages of their PhD project will be assessed, but need to provide documentation of completed PhD degree before starting the position.
• Solid proficiency in quantitative social science methodology.
• Fluency in English, both written and oral.

Applicants will be assessed based on:

• The quality and potential of their research project
• The quality and relevance of previous academic publications

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

• A promising track-record in academic publications.
• A demonstrable research interest through publications and/or course work in one or more of the most proximate research fields: European Union Politics, International Relations, Political Behaviour, Political Communication, Political Psychology, experimental methods and/or survey methodology.

Personal characteristics

• Independence and initiative
• Cooperative skills.
• Willingness to contribute to a good work environment

We offer 

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 553 500 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 

 The period of employment is three years.  

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. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.  

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis. 

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include: 

• A motivation letter.
• CV, including a comprehensive overview of all academic work.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. Candidates who are in the final stages of their PhD- project must attach a document that confirms that their doctoral thesis has been submitted. Additional relevant certificates or diplomas for the position may also be included in the application.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items).
• A research plan of max. 5 pages, including a progress plan for the period of the postdoc.
• Name and email address of three referees.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. 

General information 

Working at NTNU 

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.  

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.  

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

Under the freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Pieter de Wilde, email: pieter.dewilde@ntnu.no If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Senior Executive Officer HR Renate Lillian Johansen, email: renate.johansen@ntnu.no.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).  

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number SU-753 when applying.  

Application deadline: 25th of September 2022 

NTNU

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Sociology and Political Science

We conduct research, teaching and dissemination in sociology, political science, media, communication and information technology, and sport sciences. The Department offers five-year master’s programmes in teacher education (lektorutdanning) in social sciences as well as in physical education and sports. As a social science department we have a special obligation to contribute to the public debate on important social issues. The Department of Sociology and Political Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences.

Deadline 25th September 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Dragvoll