Job description

A Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo.

The Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Norwegian Research Council and is associated with the project SCIENCE FICTIONALITY (Link coming soon. For now, see related project “CoFutures” or contact project leader for more info). The project studies contemporary science fiction and speculative fiction (SF), and how these deal with environmental issues. For more about Environmental Humanities focus at the faculty, please see the pages of our project partner, Oslo School of Environmental Humanities.

The Postdoctoral fellow (PD) should ideally have a training in museum studies or related disciplines, with awareness of contemporary exhibition practices related to environmental humanities. They will be closely linked to the Work Package (WP) dealing with Environmental Humanities integrations. The focus of this WP is national and international dissemination of the project ideas and it has a strong practical component.

The position carries three main tasks. First, the PD will co-conceptualize a museum exhibition with the PI that can interface directly with the public and communicate or develop project ideas. Second, they will write one research article based on their project related tasks. Third, the PD will also participate in general organizational tasks within the project during their employment term, including helping with workshops and conferences that are part of the project.

The position is available for a period of 2 years.

The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network of the department and contribute to its development. The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in Museum Studies or similar disciplines, with awareness of contemporary exhibition practices related to environmental humanities. Since the exhibition’s focus will be the Nordic region, candidates with practice based interdisciplinary background in the Nordic context, for instance in curation and communication (for instance exhibition management and outreach), may be given preference.
• The candidate's research project must be closely connected to the main project
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

• The project’s scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame an contribute to the main project
• Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

We offer

• Salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae with grades listed (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• List of publications
• Project description (3 - 5 pages). The project description must present a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment. Since a primary task is to develop an SF themed exhibition, the project plan should contain the idea of an exhibition suitable for the project.
• Up to two academic works (book chapters or journal articles) that the applicant wishes to be considered
• Exhibition curation portfolio, if any

Diplomas, certificates, doctoral thesis and other academic works may be requested later.

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.

The short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

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 of 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

For questions about the position: Project Leader: Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay

For questions on how to apply: HR-Officer Steffen Remvik

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