OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway’s third largest university, with more than 20,000 students and 2,000 employees. OsloMet delivers knowledge to solve societal challenges, in close cooperation with the society and employers. OsloMet is an urban and diverse university with a clear international profile, and an attractive place to work and study with campuses in Oslo city centre and at Kjeller in the Municipality of Lillestrøm. Our location in the metropolitan area gives us good opportunities to understand and benefit from the city’s diverse population.
SPS develops the study of professions as a multidisciplinary field of research, comprising research from a wide range of disciplines. SPS aims to be a leading centre for research and graduate study within the study of professions in the Nordic countries.
At the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS), there is a vacancy for an associate professor who will play a key role in further developing our research within the field of Knowledge, expertise and the professions.
SPS is a leading research environment for the study of professions and their role in society. The Centre is theoretically and methodologically diverse and hosts an interdisciplinary PhD programme. Our areas of research are defined by three research groups: "Expertise, Politics and Ethics,” “Professional Knowledge and Qualification” and “Professional Careers and Labour markets.” The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment with researchers and PhD students with backgrounds in sociology, pedagogy, history, philosophy, political science, social anthropology, health sciences, economics and psychology. We have also developed several quantitative databases, including register data from Statistics Norway. Currently, about 50 people are employed at the Centre.
The subject area of the position includes topics such as:
- the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge
- judgments, decision-making and the use of discretion
- trust in expertise
- professional learning, development of expertise and the organization of professional education
We are looking for an ambitious candidate who will strengthen our research and teaching and contribute to developing national and international research projects of high quality. The person appointed is expected to be a well-qualified scholar who has conducted research relevant for the position and is able to teach and provide supervision at PhD level.
Read more about the Centre for the Study of Professions.
Read more about our research groups.
Your responsibilities will be to
- prepare and lead research projects at a high international level
- contribute substantially to theory and research within the area of Knowledge, expertise and the professions
- organize and teach PhD courses within the subject area of the position, and contribute to other PhD courses. Relevant courses include for example theory of professions and philosophy of (social) science.
- supervise PhD students
- disseminate research to stakeholders and the wider public
- participate in teaching activities
- actively participate in our interdisciplinary research environment
- take on administrative offices and tasks
- contribute to the strategic development of the Centre for the Study of Professions
Qualification requirements
- a PhD degree or corresponding qualification in relevant disciplines, e.g. philosophy, social science, psychology or educational research
- high-level research of relevance to the Centre
- experience with teaching and supervision
- relevant publications of high quality
- academic and educational dissemination skills, the ability to supervise PhD students
- project acquisition skills and the ability to develop and lead research projects
- the ability to cooperate and build communities and networks
Applicants must document relevant educational competence in accordance with OsloMet's Guidelines for assessment of educational competence. Applicants who are unable to document such competence upon appointment must achieve such qualifications within two years. OsloMet offers a course in university pedagogy (UHPED) that satisfies this requirement.
Good oral and written presentation skills in English are required. Applicants who do not have adequate proficiency in a Scandinavian language upon appointment must acquire Norwegian skills corresponding to at least level B2 within three years of commencement. Courses are offered at OsloMet.
General criteria for appointment to teaching and research positions are set out in the national Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts.
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 (not including authorised leaves of absence). Greater emphasis will be placed on quality and relevance than on the number of publications.
- interest in and capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration
- ability for and experience with establishing and leading externally funded projects
- potential for future research and for contributing to the Centre’s development
- experience with teaching and supervision, preferably at master’s and PhD level
- good teaching skills
- personal suitability and motivation for the position
Personal qualities required for the position
- the ability to facilitate interdisciplinary and innovative research
- initiative and flexibility
- good cooperation skills
- the ability to motivate and inspire students and colleagues
- the ability to lead and work independently
OsloMet conducts testing of pedagogical qualifications in connection with interviews.
It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.
We offer
- interesting work at Norway’s third biggest and most urban university
- ample room for research as part of the position and participation in a strong interdisciplinary research environment
- membership in an active research group and joint academic seminars
- loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- beneficial welfare arrangements and a wide range of sports and cultural activities
- free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses
- attractive premises in downtown Oslo with a wide range of cultural activities
The position is remunerated in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMet’s salary policy for position code 1011 Førsteamanuensis (NOK 534 400–702 100 per year).
Application process
Applications that meet the requirements listed in this advertisement will be assessed by an expert committee. Please upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for applications:
- an application letter which should include an explanation of how your research is relevant to the Centre
- a CV, references and all pages of certificates/diplomas
- a complete list of publications
- up to 6 scholarly works and an overview of them
- a teaching portfolio, cf. Guidelines – educational competence
If you are invited for an interview, at least two references must be provided.
We only process applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorised, and you must present originals if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document checks in order to give candidates a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Before the application papers are forwarded to the expert committee, all applications will be reviewed. Those that do not meet the formal qualification requirements will not be forwarded for assessment.
OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and committed the institution to following its principles in hiring processes.
Further information
If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:
- Centre director Beate Elvebakk: tel. (+47) 417 84 106, beate.elvebakk@oslomet.no
- Professor Anders Molander: tel. (+47) 67 23 53 58, anders.molander@oslomet.no
If you wish to apply for the position, please do so electronically by clicking the apply button.
Deadline for applications: 16 May 2022
Ref: 22/02103
OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commisson holding the right to use the logo HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R). OsloMet is a member of the EURAXESS network supporting a positive work environment for researchers in motion. OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.
