PhD Research Fellow in Political Science - Norway and the EU

PhD Research Fellow in Political Science - Norway and the EU

Vacant position as PhD fellow at ARENA Centre for European Studies

More about the position

Europe is being reshaped by war, geopolitical rivalry and a renewed enlargement agenda. As the EU's rules and decisions reach further beyond its borders, Norway faces key questions about alignment, influence and democratic control. Norway is one of the most closely integrated non-member states. That makes it an important case for understanding what it means to be part of European integration without being a member of the Union.

ARENA is looking for a PhD Research Fellow who wants to write a dissertation on Norway's relationship with the EU. The successful candidate will develop and carry out their own doctoral project in a research environment with long experience of studying European integration and its consequences for countries both inside and outside the Union.

We expect theoretically informed empirical studies and particularly welcome projects that take a comparative approach, but single-case studies of Norway are also welcome. Examples of comparisons could include comparing and contrasting Norway with other associated or third countries (such as Iceland, Switzerland or the United Kingdom), EU member states or candidate countries. Comparisons across policy areas are also welcome. We are open to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches.

Relevant research areas could include, but are not limited to:

• Norway's association model: Projects could for example address how the EEA Agreement and Norway's many other agreements with the EU shape Norwegian politics, public administration and regulation, or how they compare with those of comparable EU member or affiliated states. Projects could look at Norway's room for manoeuvre and influence vis-à-vis the EU, at questions of democratic legitimacy and control, or at how the association model is evolving as the EU changes.
• Justice and home affairs: Projects could for example address Norway's participation in Schengen, European migration and asylum policy, border management, or police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Projects could study how EU developments in these fields affect Norwegian policies, institutions and societal security, possibly compared with other associated or member countries.

We are looking for candidates with interesting and relevant research ideas, strong theoretical and analytical skills, and solid methodological competence. The project proposal should combine clear theoretical and empirical ambitions with a realistic and feasible research design.

Responsibilities

The appointment as a PhD Research Fellow at ARENA is for a period of three years, with no compulsory duties. As a fellow, you will be based at ARENA Centre for European Studies’ premises in Gaustadalléen, Oslo. Presence at the unit is a requirement.

You will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo.

This is a full-time position commencing in the winter or spring of 2027. You will have access to office space, equipment, and services, as well as resources for fieldwork and conference participation as needed.

Basis for assessment

In the assessment of candidates, particular emphasis will be placed on:

(1) the quality and relevance of the project proposal

(2) academic qualifications (transcripts must be attached)

(3) the master's thesis and any other published work

(4) references.

Personal qualities and motivation will be taken into consideration.

Potential candidates will be invited to an interview.

We can offer you

• Salary in positon as Research Fellow (job code 1017) in the range of NOK 550 800 to NOK 630 000, depending on qualifications and experience. A statutory

two per cent deduction is made from the salary for the mandatory contribution to the State Pension Fund.

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organisation with an important societal mission
• An academically stimulating international research environment
• A pleasant and stimulating work environment
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (maximum 1 000 words, approx. two pages), containing:

a brief description of yourself,
a brief description of your qualifications and relevant experience,
a brief description of your planned research project,
a brief explanation of why ARENA is of interest to you

• CV (please note that the duration from admission to completion of your master's programme must be specified)

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Project description (maximum 2 500 words, approx. six pages excluding the reference list), containing:
your research interests,
knowledge of previous research in the relevant field,
evidence of your ability to formulate scientific research questions,
specification of the relevant research design and methodology.
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Academic transcripts
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Up to two writing samples (e.g., master's thesis or published articles). Please note that there is no specific upload field
for such documents in the application portal. These must therefore be uploaded as a separate attachment.

• List of publications

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Contact information for 2–3 references

Your CV must be entered into the Jobbnorge CV form; it cannot simply be submitted as an attachment. This procedure ensures correct documentation and
record-keeping in accordance with Section 15 of the Regulations to the Public Administration Act.

The application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system, Jobbnorge; click “Apply for the position”.

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.