The Department of Political Science aims to recruit a Postdoctoral Fellow (Assistant Professor) with a background from Political Science or a closely related discipline. The successful applicant will work full time on the project ‘Climate Politics During Recessions: Examining Drivers of a Green Economic Recovery (CLIMREC)’, funded by the Research Council of Norway (FRIPRO).
The appointment is for a fixed, non-tenured term of four years with a 25% teaching requirement.
About the project
CLIMREC comprehensively analyzes climate-related post-pandemic stimulus spending in G20 economies and identifies drivers of such spending by combining cross-national comparative analysis of spending packages with in-depth case studies of four advanced and four emerging economies. The unique nature of the current recession and the universal use of stimulus packages to aid economic recovery allow us to revisit debates about the trade-offs between environment and growth and to develop cross-national explanations that address gaps in existing research. CLIMREC thus fills both an empirical and a theoretical void in the literature on climate politics.
The project is led by Professor Jon Hovi and runs from the 1st of December 2021 to the 30th of November 2025. The postdoc period might end a few months later, depending on the starting date. The project will be part of the Department’s research group on the Politics of Energy and Climate Change. We encourage applicants to read more about the project here.
More about the position
The postdoc will contribute to:
- Collecting data on the size and distribution of stimulus funds in the G20 countries (thereby helping to expand CLIMREC’s emerging database on G20 recovery packages)
- Developing a theoretical framework for explaining cross-national variation in climate policymaking during economic recessions
- Conducting case studies
- The postdoc will conduct research in collaboration with CLIMREC’s PI and other members of the team at UiO, at other research institutions in the Oslo area, and at Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC
The postdoc should have a background (with a record of publishing) in research on environmental policy/politics, economic stimulus policies, or other relevant field.
The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines. Appointed postdoctoral fellows are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period.
Formal qualification requirements
A comprehensive assessment of the applicant’s scientific qualifications forms the basis of appointment.
- Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (Ph.D) in Political Science or a closely related discipline before taking up the post
- For applicants who have yet to receive their PhD degree, the Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline (November 1, 2021). Such applicants should note the date of submission of their PhD in the cover letter. Appointment is dependent on successful completion of the defense of the doctoral thesis
Other qualifications
- Applicants must have a very good command of English (written and orally)
- Previous research on and familiarity with one or more of the topics covered by CLIMREC is an advantage
The evaluation of applications is based primarily on documented, academic qualifications and the relevance of research ideas for CLIMREC. In addition, personal suitability and motivation are considered. The most promising candidates are invited to interviews.
We offer
- Salary according to “SKO1352 postdoktor”, pay grade 59-67, NOK 526 000–608 200 per annum
- Budget for travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45 000 per year). Staff can apply for additional research support from the department and faculty
- An academically stimulating and international working environment
- A friendly and inclusive workplace
- A good pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Fund
- A good work-life balance and access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare (including the University’s kindergarden)
- Female postdocs can take part in the UiO Mentor program for female postdocs
How to apply
The online application must include the following items:
- A cover letter (max 2 pages), including a statement of motivation
- Applicants must submit a note on research interests within the project (max. 1,000 words, including references) laying out promising research ideas and specifying how they contribute to the project
- A CV summarizing education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities
- A complete list of publications (if not included in the CV)
- Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
- Upload a copy of (what you consider to be) your best academic analysis to date (only one). If this is a co-authored paper/publication, the applicant’s individual contribution must be clarified and confirmed by co-authors.
- Upload a copy of your PhD dissertation
- Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letter not needed
- Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation, need to include a letter confirming that it is submitted for defense
The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system.
The application deadline is November 1, 2021. The screening and evaluation of the candidates will begin immediately. We expect the whole evaluation process, from the application date to an offer is made, to take 12-16 weeks, depending on the number of applications. The position will be awarded from early 2022 (or a mutually-agreed upon date).
We aim to increase the diversity of backgrounds in our staff, and we especially encourage female researchers to apply.
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.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.
If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.
Contact information
Principal Investigator: Jon Hovi
HR-adviser: Anders Haave
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 Political Science is a part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and conducts research, teaching and dissemination. The Department currently has 33 permanent academic staff members, 13 research fellows conducting PhDs, six postdoctoral fellows and ten administrative employees. About 1100 students are currently enrolled in Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD study programmes in political science, as well as the interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree programmes in International Studies and Public Administration and Leadership, and the Master’s degree programme in Peace and Conflict Studies. The department is the host of C-REX Center for Research on Extremism.