Postdoctoral Fellow at Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) at University of Oslo

Job description

Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) at the Department of Political Science is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352) with specialisation in extremism and related topics (e.g., Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and Racism) in Norway. The successful applicant will be part of C-REX, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The appointment is for a fixed period of 2 years, with no teaching requirement.

C-REX studies political extremism as both an ideology and as ideologically justified violence. This provides a more holistic understanding of the causes and consequences of, as well as responses to, political extremism. The center unites perspectives from political science, sociology, history, anthropology, criminology, psychology, gender studies and media studies, providing theoretical and methodological pluralism. This cross-disciplinary approach allows us to study the formation of extreme attitudes and behaviour as well as the ideological and organizational development of political extremism at the transnational, national and local levels.

A key task for the center is to generate research-based knowledge about political extremism and related topics, such as Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and racism, in contemporary Norway. This postdoctoral position is expected to contribute to this task by focusing on hitherto underexplored aspects of extreme actors and extreme ideas in Norway. These aspects should be related to one or more of the centre’s five key themes: ideology and identity, violence and hate crime, movements and parties, the role of gender and/or prevention and intervention. A more thorough description of these themes can be found on our website. Projects might be comparative in terms of ideologies (i.e., comparing various forms of political extremism) or geography (i.e., comparing dimensions of political extremism in Norway with similar dimensions elsewhere). However, the analysis of political extremism in Norway should constitute a significant part of the project.

We encourage all applicants to read about C-REX on the center website: www.uio.no/c-rex. 

The main purpose of the fellowship is for researchers to qualify for work in higher academic positions. To this end, the focus of this position is to conduct research, including publication and dissemination. In addition, the fellow is expected to actively contribute to the broader research agenda and environment of C-REX, developing research-based knowledge and expertise on political extremism in Norway.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in Social Science or a closely related discipline (e.g., History, Criminology, Gender Studies) before taking up the post.
• For applicants who have yet to receive their PhD degree, the Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline.
• Applicants must have a very good command of English (written and oral).

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Understanding a Scandinavian language is an advantage
• Previous research into and familiarity with political extremism and related topics in contemporary Norway is an advantage.
• A project description with a clear focus on political extremism and/or related topics in contemporary Norway

The evaluation of applicants is based on documented, academic qualifications and the research plan. Personal suitability, motivation, and compatibility with the rest of the project team are also considered. The most promising candidates are invited to an interview.

We offer

• Salary according to “SKO 1352 postdoktor”, NOK 594 500–657 300  per year
• Personal research funds that can be used for e.g. travel and research assistance (currently NOK 45,000 per year)
• A stimulating and international research environment
• A friendly and inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• Access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare (including the university’s kindergartens)
• Norway’s capital with its rich cultural life and easy access to beautiful nature
• Financial and practical support for international staff moving to Norway (international staff may also benefit from tax cuts in their first years)
• The university’s mentoring programme for female postdocs

The expected start date is April 1, 2024.

How to apply

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”. All documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.

The online application must include the following items, which are to be submitted before the deadline:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages), including a statement of motivation
• A research plan (maximum 1,500 words excluding references) that includes a theoretical approach, methodology, and a publication plan. The research plan should clarify how your research ideas will contribute to the existing literature and the overall project
• A CV summarising education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities. Career breaks, including parental leave, that are noted in the CV will be taken into consideration when evaluating applicants’ academic production.
• A complete list of publications
• Copies of educational diplomas and academic transcripts (PhD, MA)
• A copy of what you consider to be your best academic work to date (only one). If this is a co-authored paper/publication, you must additionally submit a declaration of co-authorship specifying your individual contribution and signed by your co-author(s)
• Your PhD dissertation (any language)
• Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letters are not needed

For applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation: 

• A letter formally confirming that the dissertation has been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline. The exact date it was submitted should be noted in the cover letter

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

Deputy director Anders Ravik Jupskås, +47 22 85 76 42, a.r.jupskas@c-rex.uio.no

About the University of Oslo 

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7500 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) is a cross-disciplinary center for the study of the extreme right, hate crime and political violence. The center was established in early 2016 and is a joint collaboration with five of the leading Norwegian institutions and three of the leading international universities on extremism research. The research focuses on both ideological and behavioral aspects right-wing extremism. In particular, C-REX concentrates on the following areas of research: (1) ideology and identity, (2) violence and hate crimes, (3) gender in extremism, (4) parties and movements, and (5) analyses of prevention and intervention. Geographically, the center concentrates on Europe.