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PhD Research Fellowship in Modern Environmental History

The Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural and Religious Studies invites applications for a PhD position in modern environmental history commencing September 15th, 2024, or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years.

The position is associated with the Department’s interdisciplinary Environmental Humanities research group. This is an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers in the fields of history, archaeology, cultural studies, linguistics, literature, media studies, political science, social anthropology, science and technology studies, and beyond. The research group’s purpose is to bring scholars together to develop interdisciplinary research projects, to expand members’ professional networks and collaboration across the humanities, and to support environmentally-themed research and other contributions from the humanities disciplines.

The successful candidate will be invited to contribute to the research group’s focus areas and to be an active participant in the research group through seminars and outreach activities. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the research agenda of the group and get in touch with the research group leader when developing their projects. The candidate will work closely with group members from multiple disciplines and should be able to think in an integrated way about environmental history and its place across disciplinary boundaries.

While the thematic and geographic scope of the proposed research project in modern environmental history (defined as after year 1700) are open, we particularly welcome applicants whose proposed project includes a transnational or global dimension. The same applies to projects exploring themes related to water, agriculture, conservation, and/or science, technology, and alternative ways of knowing. The proposed project may have interdisciplinary elements, but it must be historically oriented and employ principally historical methodologies.

The successful applicant’s research project will contribute to the research group’s work in the environmental humanities, defined as work that bridges the divide between the natural sciences and the humanities, as well as that between the academy and society, by applying humanistic methods and modes of thought to environmental subjects.

About the PhD position and the research training: 

The main purpose of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral degree, which qualifies for independent research and other forms of employment that demand specific competency. The duration of the PhD position is four years, of which 25 per cent of the time comprises other, career-promoting work associated with teaching, dissemination of results, and administration. The plan for this part of the position is developed in collaboration with the Department at the very beginning of the employment period. 

As a PhD candidate, you must participate in the Faculty of Humanities’ educational programme. The PhD programme comprises a training component corresponding to 30 ECTS, amounting to one semester. In total, this means that 2.5 out of four years are allocated to working on the research project itself. 

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian master’s degree or the equivalent foreign degree in history or an equivalent discipline. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded at the time of application. Applicants who document a foreign degree will be evaluated according to the regulations of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) and The Faculty of Humanities’ PhD Programme plan.
• The applicant must be able to work independently in a well-structured way and have good cooperation skills. 
• The applicant must be proficient in both written and oral English. 

Applicants will be evaluated according to admission requirements in The Faculty of Humanities' PhD Program pt. 2.1.

Applicants must submit a proposal for a research project that will result in a doctoral dissertation, as well as a progress plan for the project. Please note that this progress plan must take into account that the dissertation itself can be completed within a timeframe of 2.5 years. 

In assessing the applications, the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed PhD project and the academic qualifications of the candidate will be considered. Further emphasis is also placed on strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant's personal eligibility.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment. 
• Salary at pay grade 55 (code 1017) in the state salary scale, currently equivalent to a gross annual salary of NOK 540 500 following ordinary meriting regulations. 
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 
• A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise). 
• Good welfare benefits. 

How to apply for the job:

Apply electronically via the link “APPLY FOR THIS JOB”. Applicants are required to use the electronic CV form. Your application must include:

• A project proposal of up to five pages/12.000 characters, when bibliography is not included. The project proposal should describe the research project, including research background, main research questions, theory, method, etc.  
• Bibliography for the proposed project. 
• A progress plan for the project. 
• A brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position. 
• CV. 
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. This must contain information about the number of ECTS of the master’s degree or be followed by an official and personalized confirmation with this information issued by the awarding institution.  
• A short summary of the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis (up to three pages). 
• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list). 
• Publications in your name (up to three works). 
• Relevant certificates/references. 
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis. 

The application and attachments must be in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. Please ensure that all attachments are in either Word or PDF format and are uploaded to Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

Shortlisted candidates will be called in to an interview.

For further information about the appointment process, click here.

Formal regulations:

Applicants who have already held a PhD position at the University of Bergen are not eligible to apply for this position.

The employment period may be reduced for candidates who have previously been employed in a recruitment position at other institutions.

The PhD position demands that the applicant has their regular workplace at the University of Bergen and comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times. 

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting the leader of the research group, Associate Professor Sarah Hamilton at sarah.hamilton@uib.no or +47 55 58 88 58 / +47 93 89 07 39, or the Head of Department, Professor Teemu Ryymin at Teemu.Ryymin@uib.no or +47 55 58 38 79.

Questions or inquiries about the electronic application process can be directed to the Faculty of Humanities at fakadm@hf.uib.no. 

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of applicants. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are four departments and four centres at the Faculty of Humanities. Read more about the  faculty and departments.