OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan Universityis Norway's third-largest university, with 23,000 students and more than 2,600 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and the Romerike region. Our research and education address the needs of working life, the welfare state, and the wider metropolitan region.
About the position
The Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS) is seeking to appoint a permanent full-time Associate Professor in historically oriented research on professions, knowledge and expertise. The successful candidate is expected to play a central role in the further development of historically oriented research at the Centre.
SPS is an internationally recognized research and doctoral training environment for the study of professions and hosts a PhD programme in the Study of Professions. The Centre is theoretically and methodologically diverse, and the successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers and doctoral candidates from fields such as sociology, education, history, philosophy, political science, social anthropology, health sciences, economics and psychology.
The academic field of the position includes historical perspectives on:
- professions in the Norwegian welfare state
- knowledge and value foundations in professional practice, including the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge
- assessments, decision-making processes and the exercise of professional judgement
- trust in expertise, professions and knowledge institutions
- learning, expertise development and the organisation of professional education
The Centre’s strategic plan for 2025–2030 also highlights three thematic priority areas:
- Inequality, Exclusion and Inclusion
- Professions in the Digital Society
- Knowledge Production, Expertise and Politics
We are seeking an ambitious candidate with the potential to strengthen the Centre’s research and teaching within the academic field of the position and in relevant parts of the Centre’s strategic priority areas. The position requires high teaching competence (documented) and the ability to supervise at PhD level. The successful candidate is expected to take an active role in developing nationally and internationally competitive research projects of high scientific quality, and to demonstrate the ability to pursue long-term project development in a highly competitive funding landscape.
Read more about the Centre for the Study of Professions.
Read more about our research groups.
Your main duties and responsibilities will include
- developing SPS’ historically oriented research on professions, knowledge and expertise
- developing and leading national and international research projects
- contributing to the Centre’s competence development within research design and new methodological approaches
- supervising doctoral candidates and teaching in the PhD programme
- disseminating research to relevant communities and the wider public
- administrative duties and responsibilities
- participating actively in interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to the strategic development of SPS
Qualifications required
- PhD in a relevant field (e.g. professional studies, social sciences or humanities)
- historically oriented publications relevant to SPS’ research areas
- high methodological competence and awareness
- educational competence in accordance with OsloMet’s guidelines. Applicants who cannot document basic university pedagogical competence must acquire this within two years after appointment. OsloMet offers a course in university pedagogy that fulfils this requirement.
- ability to supervise PhD candidates
- ability to develop competitive research applications and lead projects
- ability to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and to build academic networks
- good written and oral communication skills in Norwegian/Swedish/Danish (minimum B2 level) and English (Language requirements for employees at OsloMet)
Applicants who do not have sufficient proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at the time of appointment will be offered Norwegian language training and must, within three years of appointment, demonstrate Norwegian language skills equivalent to at least B2 level.
General criteria for appointment to academic positions are set out in the Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act.
Applicants who are qualified for a full professorship can be promoted after a formal review process once they have taken up their position.
In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on
- scientific production, with particular emphasis on publications from the past six years of research activity (excluding statutory leave). Greater emphasis will be placed on quality and relevance than on the number of publications
- interest in and aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration
- ability to establish and lead externally funded projects
- potential for original and innovative research, and for contributing to the Centre’s strategic development
- experience with teaching and supervision, preferably at master’s and PhD level
- strong pedagogical skills
Personal qualities
- initiative and flexibility
- strong collaboration skills
- ability to motivate and inspire doctoral candidates and colleagues
Personal suitability will be emphasized.
OsloMet conducts assessments of pedagogical qualifications in connection with interviews.
We offer
- participation in a strong interdisciplinary environment and ample time for research
- membership in an active research group and participation in shared academic seminars
- loan and pension arrangements through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- good welfare schemes and a broad range of cultural and sports activities
- a workplace in the center of Oslo
The position is remunerated in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale and OsloMet’s salary policy under position code 1011 Associate Professor, NOK 667 700–821 100 per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly qualified applicants. A 2 % contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) will be deducted from the salary.
Application process and expert committee
An expert committee will assess relevant applications. In the event of a large number of applicants, a screening committee may select the most qualified candidates. The screening committee’s assessments will be forwarded to the expert committee, which is free to overrule the screening and assess additional candidates. Incomplete applications and applicants who do not document formal qualifications will not be considered.
By the application deadline, you must upload the following documents:
- application letter, including a description of how your research and other experience are relevant to the position
- CV, certificates and all pages of diplomas. Foreign education should preferably be approved in advance, and approval documentation must be attached. Information here: Do you have education from abroad and want to work in Norway? | HK-dir
- a complete list of publications
- up to 6 academic works along with a list of these, including the doctoral thesis if relevant
- teaching portfolio documenting educational competence
- preferably contact information for two references
We only process applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be considered. Documents must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be authorised, and applicants may be required to present originals at interview. OsloMet conducts document verification to ensure fair evaluation and competition.
For relevant positions, OsloMet conducts background checks in cooperation with an external provider in order to verify information contained in available documentation. Background checks are always conducted with the candidate’s consent, and appointment to these positions is contingent upon an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information about this.
Information for applicants
Inclusion and diversity strengthen our ability to fulfil OsloMet's mission to society. We therefore welcome employees with diverse competencies, life experiences, and perspectives. We continuously work to be an inclusive workplace and, through dialogue, provide reasonable accommodations for employees who need them.
OsloMet is an EU-certified HR Excellence in Research institution for Charter and Code for supporting researchers' career development, mobility, and employment rights.
OsloMet has endorsed the principles of the DORA Declaration (The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment) and is committed to implementing its recommendations.
Appointments are made in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian State Employees Act and legislation governing the export of knowledge, technology, and services. Applicants who are subject to restrictions under this legislation will not be considered qualified for the position.
About us
OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan Universityis Norway's third-largest university, with 23,000 students and more than 2,600 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and the Romerike region. Our research and education address the needs of working life, the welfare state, and the wider metropolitan region.
For more than 200 years,OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan Universityhas contributed to building the knowledge and expertise that underpin the Norwegian welfare state. Today, OsloMet is a modern, urban university with strong academic environments in teacher education, health and social sciences, social research, design, and technology.
