PhD Fellow in Social Sciences affiliated with project SOTRUST

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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzrda-wPIc8About the position

At Nord universitet, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bodø campus, a temporary 100% position is available as a PhD Fellow in Social Sciences. The position is affiliated with the research project "(Mis)trust: Norwegianization of language, people and land in Sør-Saepmie. Why reconciliation, how and between whom?" (SOTRUST), funded by Norges forskningsråd.

The employment period is initially three years, without career-advancing work. However, there is also the possibility of a four-year employment period with 25% career-advancing work. Any career-advancing work may involve teaching and/or research-related tasks at the faculty, depending on the candidate's competence and the faculty's needs.

SOTRUST is based on the concept of trust and investigates how trust or lack of trust is connected to conflict and cooperation in the past and present in Sør-Saepmie, and what is required to build the trust necessary for reconciliation. Our task is to investigate the reasons for trust and mistrust in the region, fill possible gaps in the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, further develop truth and reconciliation theory and practice, map patterns of conflict and cooperation in this region, and suggest possible solutions to improve inter- and intra-ethnic dynamics.

We invite applicants from various disciplines, for example sociology, social anthropology, political science, geography, or history, to design their own project within the project's thematic scope. The applicant chooses the theme, research question, as well as the theoretical and methodological perspective for the project.

The position is based in Bodø. As a rule, presence at the office location is expected during working hours. In the event of career-advancing work, the position may also involve tasks at other Nord universitet campuses.

The employment starts from 01.03.2027 or by agreement of another commencement date.

Qualification requirements

• For admission to the Ph.D. program, a bachelor's degree and a completed scientific master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent education in a relevant social science subject and/or history is required. Applicants with a master's degree in humanities or another master's degree relevant to the field may be considered on an individual basis.
• The candidate must document solid knowledge of relevant theories and methods that provide the necessary prerequisites to be able to carry out the proposed doctoral project.
• It is a prerequisite that the person employed can be admitted to the faculty's doctoral program. See admission requirements: Ph.d. i samfunnsvitenskap
• It is a prerequisite that the candidate meets the grade requirements for admission to Ph.D. studies (normally a grade B on average in the master's degree).
• The position requires good English skills, both oral and written. For applicants from countries outside the Nordics, documentation is required. See details in ph.d.-forskriften pkt. 6-1. The thesis can be written in English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language).
• A final project outline with a plan for the doctoral work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after commencement.
• Candidates who already hold a Ph.D. degree will not be considered for the position.

In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:

• The attached project outline
• Competence related to Sami language, history, society, and culture, with particular emphasis on the Southern Sami area
• The combination of educational background and grades from the master's degree
• Any experience from research work
• Relevant academic background
• Personal suitability
• The applicant's description of motivation for the doctoral work and possibilities for completion

We offer

The positions are paid according to the State regulations, PhD fellow code 1017, NOK 565,000. For particularly qualified applicants, higher salary may be considered. Statutory contributions to Statens pensjonskasse are deducted from the salary.

• Good loan, insurance, and pension schemes in Statens pensjonskasse
• A creative and collegial working environment
• A workplace in constant development
• Flexible working hours
• An active corporate sports club

General information

The state workforce shall, to the greatest extent possible, reflect the diversity of the population. Nord universitet therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in CV, immigrant background, and otherwise diverse life experiences to apply.

Information about disabilities or gaps in CV may be used for anonymized statistical purposes.

The person employed must comply with the laws, agreements, and instructions that apply to the position at any given time. Reservations are made regarding changes in responsibility and work areas as a result of future organizational development and reorganization at Nord universitet.

Nord universitet is subject to the Security Act (sikkerhetsloven), which places requirements on the handling of protected and sensitive information. To increase security around recruitment, Nord uses background checks on relevant candidates. Security suitability will be emphasized.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• Project leader: professor Astri Dankertsen, astri.dankertsen@nord.no, +47 75517923
• Study program manager for Ph.D. in Social Sciences: professor Christian Lo, christian.lo@nord.no, +47 75517226
• Administrative coordinator for the Ph.D. program: senior advisor Anneli Maria Watterud, anneli.m.watterud@nord.no, +47 75517572

Application process

The applicant will be assessed by a professional committee. See more information on Nords nettside.

Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview.

The faculty points out that it reserves the right not to hire applicants who are scientifically qualified but do not satisfy other criteria such as language or personal qualities.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 01.11.2026.

The electronic application shall contain:

• A project outline of approximately 5-7 pages explaining the idea for the Ph.D. project, theoretical anchoring, methodological approach, and progress plan.
• A cover letter describing your motivation for applying for the position.
• A complete CV (education, work and teaching experience, and an overview of any scientific publications).
• Diplomas and official transcripts for bachelor's and master's education, as well as any other relevant certificates.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to document that all requirements related to admission to the Ph.D. program at the Faculty of Social Sciences are met.
• A digital version of, or a link to, the completed master's thesis and any other scientific works.
• Names and contact information for 2-3 references (name, your relationship to the person, email, and telephone number).
• Applicants from countries outside Scandinavia must attach a Diploma Supplement in English or a Scandinavian language.
• Applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA must submit HK-dir-godkjenning av mastergraden sin. Applicants without approval must apply for Automatisk godkjenning.
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA area may be asked for additional documentation of education.
• Other activities considered relevant to the position and which you wish to be taken into consideration during the assessment.

All documentation must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit complete documentation electronically before the application deadline.

After the application deadline has expired, a public list of applicants will be prepared. We point out that information about the applicant may be made public even after a request to be omitted from the list. Applicants who nevertheless request confidentiality must provide specific reasons in the application. In such cases, applicants will be notified in advance of the disclosure.

Refnr. 30256448

About the employer:

Through research, education, and community participation, Nord universitet contributes to creating a sustainable future based on our geographical location.

In collaboration with society and industry in Nordland and Trøndelag, our 11,500 students and 1,350 employees promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, locally and internationally.

Nord universitet has four strategic priority areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security and health, welfare and upbringing.

Fakultet for samfunnsvitenskap (FSV) educates social scientists who meet society's need for innovative practitioners in both the private and public sectors. The faculty offers Ph.D. education in social sciences. FSV has approximately 2,200 students and 190 employees.

The faculty's activities are organized into five subject groups:

• History, geography, and international relations
• Journalism and creative media studies
• Social work
• Sociology and education studies
• Organization, management, and working life

The Faculty of Social Sciences has employees at two different campuses: Bodø and Levanger.

Read more: www.nord.no/fsv