PhD Fellow at the Department of Geography

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB aims to be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a social institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place of study and work.

Video: https://youtu.be/M5n6RnScNgAPhD Fellow

We welcome you to apply for a position as a PhD Fellow in human geography and sustainable development at the Department of Geography. The position is for a period of 4 years, where 25% of the total employment time is career-advancing work to be performed at the department.

The position is linked to the research group in Human Geography and Sustainable Development (SGBU) which largely explores the interaction between people, society, and the environment. We are seeking a candidate with research interests that align with the SGBU group's professional focus areas, which include: climate and energy transition; food production and food security; global development and inequality; green transformation, circular economy, and industrial development; local and regional development, place, and planning; political ecology, land use, and natural resource management. In the application and cover letter, the candidate should outline how the doctoral proposal will contribute both to human geography in general and to one or more of the aforementioned thematic areas.

The candidate will become a member of the SGBU research group. Career-advancing work will include, among other things, teaching at bachelor's and master's levels within the department's portfolio for human geography and sustainable development.

The workplace for the position is in Bergen (remote work is not possible).

Qualifications and properties:

• Master's degree or equivalent degree in human geography or a related field. The degree must be completed by the application deadline.
• The minimum requirement for applicants shall normally be B or better, both for the master's thesis and for the master's degree as a whole.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and structured and have good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.
• Personal and interpersonal qualities will be emphasized. Ambition and potential will also count when assessing candidates.

Suitable candidates will be called for an interview.

The language of instruction is usually English, but some of the teaching is in Norwegian (especially at the 100-level in bachelor's courses).

The following applies to the position:

About the PhD fellowship (applies to university research fellow positions):

The total fellowship period is 4 years, where 25% of the time is career-advancing work related to research, teaching, and dissemination. If you have previously been employed in a recruitment position, a deduction may be made from the employment period.

About the Ph.D. education:

As a PhD Fellow, you will participate in the Ph.D. education at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiB. The education has a normative timeframe of 3 years and leads to a Ph.D. degree. For admission, you must have completed a master's degree. The scope of the master's degree must normally be 120 ECTS credits and build upon a bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2+3 years), or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). The master's degree shall normally include independent work of a scope of at least 30 ECTS credits. The master's degree shall normally be within the subject area for which admission is sought.

We offer:

• Position as PhD Fellow (code 1017) with an annual salary of NOK 593,700 - gross. Automatic salary development for up to 4 years with a 3% annual increase.
• A good academic and social environment with high quality in research and teaching.
• Membership in Statens pensjonskasse.
• Good welfare schemes

The project:

A concise project description of 5-8 pages (including a list of references) must be attached to the application. The project description shall account for the theme, research question(s), and choice of theory and method. The description shall include a progress plan for the various parts of the research work. Upon appointment, the project description will be the basis for admission to the Ph.D. education. The faculty has prepared guidance for writing the project description.

The candidate shall deliver a Ph.D. plan within three months after commencement in consultation with supervisors, and shall further reflect on improvements to the original proposal.

The application must include:

• A short statement about the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• Name and contact information for two references, one of whom must be the main supervisor for the master's thesis or equivalent.
• Project description.
• CV.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees.
• Relevant certificates.
• Any list of scientific work (publication list).
• Any publications.
• Academic publications you wish to submit for assessment (including your master's thesis or equivalent).
• If you have a master's degree from a foreign educational institution, or a 2-year discipline-based master's degree (or equivalent) in a field other than the one you will be affiliated with, you may be asked to submit an overview of the curriculum for the master's degree you have obtained.

Application and attachments with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded in Jobbnorge.

Application deadline: October 15, 2026.

Applications without a project description or applications sent by email will not be considered. Only attached documents will be used as the basis for assessment.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting the Head of Department Rannveig Skoglund, email: rannveig.skoglund@uib.no

Practical questions regarding the application process can be directed to HR – advisor Gudrun Horvei, email: gudrun.horvei@uib.no

The person appointed will be admitted to the faculty's Ph.D. education. Any questions about the Ph.D. education can be directed to senior advisor Elina Troscenko, email: elina.troscenko@uib.no

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

The University of Bergen utilizes increased transparency in the recruitment of scientific positions. Information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the applicant list. If the request is not granted, the applicant shall be notified of this.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. If you check this box in the application, you may receive positive special treatment. We always invite at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups to an interview. More about the recruitment process here.

Life as a Ph.D. candidate at UiB

Astrid Nybø tells about life and the everyday work life as a Ph.D. candidate at UiB.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3Z63yzkKA&list=PLf8ZIYfAO0qjhROTj6SthDbSScg0lSO6G&index=5

About the employer:

The University of Bergen is a recognized educational and research institution, organized into seven faculties and approximately 54 departments and academic centers. The campus is located in central parts of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien, and Årstad.

The Faculty of Social Sciences consists of seven departments. Read more about the faculty and associated departments.