About the position

ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a temporary position as Researcher (SKO 1109) within political science, European studies or sociology. 

The researcher position is hosted by ARENA and funded by the EU Horizon grant EGRUiEN – Encouraging a Digital and Green Transition through Revitalised and Inclusive Union-Employer Negotiations. 

ARENA Centre for European Studies is a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Oslo, studying the direction, dynamics and sustainability of the evolving European political order. The Centre has conducted research on political, economic, legal and social integration, transformation and cooperation in Europe since 1994. As a member of the ARENA team, you will be part of a professional research centre with extensive experience in coordinating international research projects and networks financed by European and Norwegian research funding institutions. More information about ARENA is available at www.arena.uio.no

About EGRUiEN

EGRUiEN is a multi-disciplinary and multi-level research project providing an original and comprehensive analysis of the ability of Europe’s social dialogue institutions to navigate the labour market transformations resulting from the ongoing green and digital transitions, to protect workers within (or from) non-standard forms of employment and ensure socially and economically just outcomes. 

The project will provide new and integrated understanding of the previously unexplored links between fundamental economic disruptions, and the institutional design of social dialogue institutions. In this way, we aspire to give scientifically based guidance on how social dialogue institutions can be designed to guide societies through fundamental transformations, including the rise of new sectors, and the growth of new forms of work. While there are multiple and continuously evolving transformations in the world of work, EGRUiEN aims to study two critical macro labour market transformations, the green transition (decarbonization) and technological change (digitalisation and automation). We will look at how workers, employers and the state – as well as other social actors – negotiate the growth of new forms of non-standard work, such as temporary employment, platform work, and zero hour contracts, with the goal of preserving, optimizing, or building strong social dialogue institutions capable of producing social just outcomes in a period of rapid transformation. 

EGRUiEN addresses the question: What forms and institutions of social dialogue are needed to facilitate the current comprehensive economic transition, in a socially just manner? 

Job description 

The employed researcher will conduct interview research, including roughly 40 interviews in Norway as well as focus groups with key actors that will be identified in the team. The researcher will also participate in analysis, report writing and will contribute to the team with project-related tasks, including participation in project workshops and in meetings with the project's advisory board; co-organization of international and national academic, policy and public events; and dissemination of research results to decision-makers, practitioners and the wider public. 

As a researcher, you will be working in the EGRUiEN project together with Professor Ines Wagner at ARENA. ARENA will lead the Energy Work Package of the EGRUiEN project and there is the possibility for the researcher to gain experience in co-leading a Work Package of an international Horizon project. Alongside working on team-defined research tasks, the researcher is encouraged to pursue their own focused research interests within the frame of the project. 

You are welcome to get in contact with Research professor Ines Wagner if you have questions regarding your research interests' potential fit with EGRUiEN’s research agenda.

The position is for the duration of two years with no teaching obligations. The proposed starting date for the position is no later than 1 January 2026. You will be provided with office space, equipment, and services as well as necessary resources for research related field work and conference travel. 

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant discipline within the social sciences before taking up the post (SKO 1109). 
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate an ability to conduct high quality research in areas relevant to EGRUiEN. Expertise in climate/energy policy at the EU level or within the Norwegian context is considered an advantage but expertise in one of the following areas will be considered too: automotive, care and/or transport on demand. 
• Applicants must have experiences with qualitative interviews. An interest in conducting focus groups is expected.
• ARENA’s working language is English. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are therefore required.
• A good command of either Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is also a requirement: the fieldwork will be conducted in Norway and policy reports will be written in Norwegian. 

In assessing the candidates, particular emphasis will be placed on the quality and relevance of the submitted research publications and the article proposal. 

Personal suitability and motivation will be taken into consideration.

 Potential candidates will be invited for an interview. 

We offer 

• A salary of NOK  635 900 – 750 000 per annum, depending on qualifications, in a position as researcher (position code SKO 1109),
• An academically stimulating and international research environment combined with a friendly and inclusive work environment.
• A good work-life balance and access to Norway's excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare.
• Attractive welfare benefits, including a generous pension agreement. 
• The city of Oslo: A unique mix of vibrant city life and extraordinary nature with rich opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities.

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

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

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.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

Application

The online application must include:

1.  A cover letter (maximum 1000 words). The letter should consist of four paragraphs in the following order:

        a) a short presentation of yourself,

         b) a short presentation of your merits,

         c) a short presentation of your intended research and

          d) a short account of why ARENA and EGRUiEN is of interest to you. 

2.  A proposal for a journal article relevant to the EGRUiEN research focus (maximum 1500 words, excluding bibliography). The proposal must demonstrate familiarity with previous research within the area, an ability to formulate a scientific problem and to specify a relevant research design and methods. 

3. A CV summarizing your education, academic employments and other qualifying activities that you may have. The period of enrolment (admission – completion) in the PhD programme you have attended must be specified.

4. A complete list of publications 

5. Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts from university degrees only) 

6. Three writing samples (e.g. published articles or working papers).

7.  Names and contact details of two persons from whom recommendation letters may be solicited. You should indicate your relation to these persons. Please do not submit any recommendation letters before we contact you and explicitly ask you to.

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.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Contact information

For further information regarding the position, please contact:

• Research professor Ines Wagner
• Administrative director Ida Hjelmesæth