Temporary position as a researcher in the QUANTA project

Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally known 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/M5n6RnScNgAResearcher

A temporary position as a researcher is available at the Department of Social Psychology, The Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen (UiB). The position is for a limited period of 12 months from 01.01.2027 to 31.12.2027, and is part of the project "Evolution of Cognitive Tools for Quantification (QUANTA)", funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through a Synergy Grant to Andrea Bender (UiB), Francesco d’Errico (CNRS Bordeaux), Russell Gray (MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig) and Rafael Núñez (UiB).

The place of work for the position is Bergen.

About the project/tasks:

• QUANTA aims to reconstruct the origin and development of number systems: when and why they were invented, and how and why they were diversified. The six-year project, which started in September 2021, is anchored at three institutions – UiB, CNRS Bordeaux and MPI EVA Leipzig – which collaborate closely and have regular exchange.
• The position will be part of the team led by professor Andrea Bender (UiB), and the work will be directed towards evolutionary analyses of large-scale interdisciplinary data. The position will also be linked to the SFF center Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE) at the University of Bergen.

More information about the project is available on this website.

Qualifications and attributes:

• The applicant must, at the time of application, hold a PhD or equivalent degree in psychology, with a specialization in the development of language and cognition.
• The applicant must have in-depth knowledge of the literature on cultural and cognitive evolution. Knowledge of theories regarding the development of number systems is also desirable.
• The applicant must have experience with empirical methods for hypothesis testing, and particularly with conducting transmission chain experiments across cultures.
• The applicant must be able to document interdisciplinary collaboration, including examples of integrating insights from different fields (for example, scientific manuscripts, research grant applications, and similar).
• The applicant is expected to have the potential to publish in high-ranking scientific journals.
• The applicant must be able to work independently and structured, and must be willing and able to collaborate with others.
• High competence in both written and spoken English is required.
• Broad scientific interest beyond one's own field is expected. Knowledge of the research area at the SapienCE center will be an advantage.

Personal and relational attributes will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions, and potential will also count in the evaluation of the candidates.

The University of Bergen is subject to export control regulations. The regulations will be used in the processing of applications. If the university has not received an assessment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 6–12 weeks after an application for an export license, any offer of employment will be withdrawn.

We can offer:

• Exciting and developing tasks in a strong academic environment
• An annual salary of NOK 685,900 before tax (position code 1109) in the state salary system. For particularly qualified applicants, it may be possible to consider a higher salary. Further salary increases will depend on seniority in the position.
• Membership in Statens pensjonskasse
• Good welfare schemes

The application shall include:

• A short presentation of research interests and motivation for applying for the position. This should include one paragraph on how each of the qualification requirements above are met (with particular emphasis on experiences relevant to QUANTA), and one paragraph on how your research interests are relevant to the advertised position and the QUANTA context.
• CV.
• Certified copies of diplomas (higher education), transcripts, and other relevant certificates. Applicants with foreign education must include both diplomas in the original language and authorized translations.
• Names of two references (name and contact information).
• A complete publication list.
• Publications in your own name that you wish to be included in the evaluation of the application (maximum 3).

The application and attachments with certified translations to English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded in Jobbnorge.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• professor Andrea Bender, Department of Social Psychology, andrea.bender@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.

We encourage men to apply. If several applicants have nearly equal qualifications, the rules for moderate gender quotas apply.

The University of Bergen uses 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 honored, 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.

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 Psychology consists of five departments and two centers. Read more about the faculty and associated departments.