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EURAXESS

PhD Fellow in Archaeology

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
22 May 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Department
Department of Archaeology, History, Religious Studies and Theology (AHR)
Research Field
History » Archaeology
History » Other
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Norway
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
37,5
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

The position

A PhD position is available at The Department of Archaeology, History, Religious Studies and Theology (AHR), Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (HSL) for candidates wishing to pursue the degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) within the discipline of archaeology. In addition to the academic fields of Archaeology, History and Religious Studies, the department is also home to the national Registration Centre for Historical Data (RHD). The academic staff of the department together with the administration counts 55 employees in total. The department is responsible for teaching, research and public dissemination with a particular focus on the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural landscape of northern Fennoscandia within national and international comparative frameworks. AHR is an active department that employs 6 PhD candidates and 3 postdoctoral researchers associated within the department’s various sections and research groups. AHR’s section of Archaeology has a staff of six in permanent academic positions. The section conducts research on a broad range of culture-historical topics, Saami archaeology, theory and method, cultural heritage studies and contemporary archaeology.

The PhD-position will be associated with SARG (Sub-Arctic Stone Age Research Group) which focus on northern foragers 9000-0 BC. SARG was established in 2015 and is a small, active group with participants from several of the regions archaeological research environments and a large international network. While the main geographical focus is northern Fennoscandia there is an explicit ambition to participate in the international debate on hunter-gatherer studies. SARG aims to be inclusive with regard to theoretical and methodological approaches as well in research themes.

The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD fellow position is for a period of three years and full time studies with the possibility of an extension of the appointment period. If the doctoral dissertation is submitted for appraisal within 3 years or within 3.5 years, the PhD candidate is qualified for a completion grant for either 12 or 6 months. The completion grant should be used to further qualification measures such as courses in teaching in higher education, lecturing and other relevant work at the faculty. More information about the completion grant scheme can be found here.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The project

The position will be associated with one of SARGs new project themes: Forager Lifeworlds. This aims to explore the integration of material and immaterial aspects in the everyday life and worldviews of prehistoric foraging communities. It is linked to discussions of human interactional dynamics with their natural and cultural environment, be it animals, objects or materiality in a wide sense. A key notion here is the active role of for example the natural environment and objects in the co-existence with humans, how this interplay is fundamental to being in that world, and how variation in interactions may lead to diversity also amongst foraging communities. The current debate is carried out through a variety of approaches, including human-animal relations, relational ontologies and animism, but is theoretically close also to thing-theory, materiality studies and perspectives within human environmentalism. As many elements of early forager lifeworlds, such as beliefs and perceptions, are not directly preserved in the material one of the challenges is if and how these immaterial aspects can be inferred through indirect means.

Proposed projects should include empirical data such as archaeological material, structures or selected landscapes linked to Scandinavian prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Aims and objectives should be directed at investigating how life in foraging communities is affected by and in turn affects the given material environment. Since much of the debate so far has focused on terrestrial mammals or birds an explicit emphasis on examples from coastal or riverine landscapes is welcome. For additional information please contact Professor Charlotte Damm.

The applicants must present an outline of the academic basis of the PhD project. The outline shall not exceed five pages (2000 words), literature references excluded. It must include a description of the topic, research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor. Template for project description can be found here.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Charlotte Damm:

Qualifications

The position requires a master’s degree in Archaeology, or a foreign degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian master’s degree, with a minimum grade of B or equivalent.

Applicants must document fluency of in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. Due the nature of the source material, applicants should be competent in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. Significant emphasis will be put on the project outline, which must present a feasible project within the advertised field of research. Prior knowledge of the chosen material from Scandinavia will be considered advantageous. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

  • Have good collaboration skills
  • Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
  • Wants to contribute to a good working environment

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

  • A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 
  • A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master's degree of 120 ECTS. 
  • A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

All applicants should have a grade point average of B (or equivalent) on their master’s degree in order to be admitted to the PhD programme. The grade point average also applies to 300 ECTS points integrated five-year master’s degrees, in which all courses are to be included in the grade point average. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

  • Involvement in an interesting research project 
  • Good career opportunities 
  • A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
  • Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
  • Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
  • PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Application 

Your application must include: 

  • Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
  • Project description of 5 pages (max 2000 words) excluded references
  • CV
  • Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
  • Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
  • Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
  • Documentation of English proficiency
  • References with contact information
  • Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

Eallju - Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

Requirements

Research Field
History » Archaeology
Education Level
PhD or equivalent
Research Field
History » Other
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Country
Norway
Geofield

Contact

City
Tromsø
Website
Postal Code
N-9037