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Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism at the Department of Government is looking for a post-doctoral researcher with high ambitions, strong qualifications in quantitative methodologies and a keen interest in comparative child protection research. The duration of the post doc position (100%) is 4 years. The successful candidate is expected to live and work in Bergen.

The Department of Government, one of seven departments within the Faculty of Social Sciences, specializes in political science, studies of public policy, public administration, welfare state, democracy and participation, as well as political institutions and organisation. Research at the department is structured around dedicated research groups. 

About the project and work tasks:

The researcher will work 100% for the whole four-year period as part of the CPS-World project funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and based at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism at the University of Bergen, Norway. Professor Marit Skivenes is the principal investigator for the project. For more information: https://discretion.uib.no/projectsold/child-protection-systems-across-the-world/.

The overall ambition of the project is to conduct groundbreaking research by examining the empirical foundation of an emerging, global typology of child protection systems – systems imbued with the legal authority and responsibility to intervene into the private sphere of the family. The main objective of the project is to examine defining elements of child protection systems and their boundaries by analyzing public and judiciary perspectives across the world, enabling empirical advancements and theoretical innovations. This transdisciplinary endeavor will lay the foundation as a conceptual tool for comparative research on governments’ responsibilities to and for children in vulnerable situations. CPS-World combines innovative methodological approaches and cross-country examinations, applying several data sources and combining survey, vignettes, experiments, and text analysis. The project is the most comprehensive cross-country study ever undertaken in this field. It is pioneering in its empirical and critical ambition to explain the decisive factors and mechanisms in child protection systems. Potential applicants should contact the principal investigator for further details (marit.skivenes@uib.no). 

About the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism

The Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism addresses core themes in the social sciences by examining the government’s use of power toward its citizens and the justifications of state interventions into people’s lives. Important areas of empirical focus are welfare state models, child protection systems, and children’s rights.

The research at the Centre is comparative - between nations, systems, time and individuals, and includes leading researchers across the world. We are an interdisciplinary group including political science, sociology, law, and psychology. In Bergen, the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism is involved in research collaboration with the Centre on Law and Social Transformation (UiB/CMI) and FAIR, a Center for Excellence at the Norwegian Business School.

For more information about the Centre: https://discretion.uib.no/

Your tasks:

• To engage in independent scientific research that will result in high-quality, peer-reviewed publications addressing core themes of the research project.
• To participate in the collection, pooling, and analysis of data.
• To support and work with the principal investigator in carrying out the research project.
• To collaborate with the partners in the project.
• To participate in the organization of research activities and events, such as conferences, workshops, joint publications, and web activities.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a PhD or an equivalent degree within political science. The thesis must be submitted before closing date for this call. The degree must be attained before the position can be started. 
• The applicant must have extensive knowledge and experience with advanced quantitative methods.
• The applicant must demonstrate experience with conducting large-scale, comparative surveys, preferable including survey vignettes, experiments and quantitative text analysis.
• The applicant must demonstrate an interest in engaging in independent research on topics related to the research project CPS-World.
• The applicant must showcase high-quality publications in core journals on relevant topics.
• The applicant must demonstrate an ability to work independently, efficiently, and cooperate well with others in a research team.
• The applicant must be excellent in both written and spoken English and Norwegian.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their academic qualifications; methods skills; the post doc project proposal; the candidate’s interest in the project’s topic; the quality of their publications; and their personal and relational skills.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. 

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 4 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.

A research proposal of 2-3 pages based on the CPS-World project must accompany the application. The proposal should contain a progress plan for the different parts of the post doc project, as well as a plan regarding publishing.  It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.   For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. 

We can offer:

• Position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 624 500. For particularly highly qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered.
• A good, vibrant, and professionally challenging working environment.
• A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise).
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits.
• The city of Bergen - a unique mix of vibrant cultural life and extraordinary nature.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• CV.
• A research proposal of 2-3 pages based on the CPS-World project.
• Diplomas (certified copies). Complete list of publications.
• Selected scholarly works from the last five years (pdf). It is important that each of the scholarly works on which the committee should place special emphasis is attached in its entirety.
• The names and contact information for two reference persons of which one must be the main supervisor for the PhD thesis.

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded electronically at the recruitment portal www.jobbnorge.no (you can follow the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”).

The application must include all information to be taken into consideration in the assessment of the academic qualifications.

Closing date: March 3, 2025. The application must be marked: 2025/90.

Applications submitted without required information or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.

General information:

Further information about the position is obtainable by contacting Principal Investigator Marit Skivenes – marit.skivenes@uib.no - phone: +47 95924979.

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to HR Adviser Gudrun Horvei - gudrun.horvei@uib.no 

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

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met. The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.