Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Science & Technology studies (STS) – Norway

The Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK) at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a 3 year Post-doctoral Research Fellowship.

The post-doctoral position will be affiliated with the TIK Centre’s research programme “Science, Technology and Culture” which carries out STS-oriented research on science and technology as cultural and material practices that are shaped by society and crucial in the production of social and political reality. This research programme is focused on e.g. understanding relationships and tensions between various forms of scientific and technological knowledge/expertise, the ways in which scientific knowledge is used in politics, and the dynamics of technoscientific controversies related to nature and culture in particular. Research within the programme uses historical and contemporary source material, as well as interdisciplinary methods and analytical resources.

Candidates should have a strong interest in and competence for contributing to the development of such analyses. The position will focus particularly on conducting original work that contributes to theoretical development and empirical knowledge both within the above areas and within the field of STS more generally. The position also encompasses teaching within TIK’s multidisciplinary Ph.D. and masters programs, including supervision of candidates and students within these programs.

Qualifications and Personal Skills

Relevant candidates should have a Ph.D. in relevant areas of social science, history or STS, as well as in-depth familiarity with relevant approaches within STS as documented through academic degrees or course work, research and publishing.  The successful candidate should have documented excellence in both theoretical development and empirical work within relevant areas of STS. A strong international publication record and well-developed international research networks are meritorious.  Experience of and interest in cross-disciplinary work will also be advantageous, as scholars both within the research program and the TIK Centre more generally reflect a diversity of backgrounds within social science and the humanities.

Only candidates who have submitted their doctoral thesis prior to the application closing date may apply for the position. (A prerequisite for taking up the position is the successful completion of a doctoral degree.)

Applicants should describe their intellectual background and qualifications, indicating the main theoretical approaches, empirical tools and publishing goals of their work to date. Applicants can obtain additional scientific information about the position from professor/TIK director Jane Summerton or professor Kristin Asdal.

We offer

• Pay grade 57-64 (NOK 468 400 – 533 000), depending on level of competence/length of service
• Academically stimulating working environment
• Good pension benefits under the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund scheme
• Good welfare benefits 

Evaluation of the application

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s project description for his/her proposed post-doctoral project, as well as the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out this project. A good match between the candidate’s proposal and the centre’s activities and competences is a main selection criterion along with the quality of the proposal and the qualifications of the candidate.

Interviews will be part of the appointment process.

The electronic application should include

• Application letter
• Project description and progress plan (no more than 5 pages) for the work to be undertaken during the course of the term of appointment
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• A complete list of publications

Actual academic works should not be included at this time. After the first stage of the review process an expert committee will invite the most appropriate candidates to submit up to three academic works that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process.

Guidelines for appointments to post-doctoral research fellowships at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property rights to research results, etc.

According to the Norwegian Law « Offentlighetsloven §25.2 ledd », information about the applicant can be published although the applicant has requested not to be included in the public list of applicants.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender representation in the workforce and to recruit individuals with an immigrant background.

• Job type:
• Contract

• Working hours:
• Full-time

• Working days:
• Day

• Application deadline:
• 15 January 2013

• Reference number:
• 2012/12969

• Home page:
• http://www.sv.uio.no/english/

• Contacts:
• Director Jane Summerton
  Telephone: +47 22 84 16 28
  Mobile: +47 930 00 870
• Head of Administration Anne C. Wesnes
  Telephone: +47 22 84 16 18
• Professor Kristin Asdal
  Telephone: +47 22 02 52 32