PhD Fellowships in Innovation and Regional Studies
Application website: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/272234/phd-fellowships-in-innovation-and-regional-studies
Deadline: 20th Feb. 2025
Job description
The University of Stavanger invites applicants for two PhD Fellowships in Innovation and Regional Studies at the UiS School of Business and Law, Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing. The positions are vacant from 01.08.2025.
- This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.
- The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Social Sciences. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.
- The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively.
- The positions are associated with a project funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
Research topic
The PhD Fellows will be affiliated with the following project:
PowerPlay: complementarity formation and local effects of the Nordic battery value chain
Project description: In recent years, the energy transition in major economies has led to huge demand for batteries with high energy density. Due to heightened geopolitical tensions as well as the urgency to decarbonize the economy around the globe, localization of the battery value chain has become a common strategy adopted by politicians around the world. In addition to security considerations, nations today are eager to capitalize on what is being termed the new ‘white oil,’ and billions of investments have been pumped into building up battery-related capacities in different localities. Against this backdrop, PowerPlay aims to examine the ‘battery arms race’ in the Nordic context. Specifically, it will provide a comprehensive examination on the extent to which complementarities and synergy effects are formed in the Nordic battery ecosystem (Norway, Finland, and Sweden) given that this sector is the recipient of substantial public investment. In addition, PowerPlay will investigate the local impacts of battery activities in 3 Norwegian regions—Mo i Rana, Arendal and Haugaland— on local society, economy and nature. The project will hire two PhD research fellows to conduct complementary research. One PhD fellow will ideally have a background in qualitative methods or mixed methods, while the other PhD fellow will have experience with quantitative methods.
Project proposal
As an applicant, you must prepare a preliminary project proposal for a doctoral project within the subject area, which explains the specific issues within the PowerPlay project that you aim to address as well as the research methods (qualitative or quantitative) that you plan to apply. Your preliminary project proposal will be included in the application assessment. A project proposal template can be found here. The proposal must be a maximum of one page. After the first round of selection, the shortlisted applications will be required to provide an extended version of the proposal (five-page) to further elaborate on their research ideas.
Qualification requirements
We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree in economic geography, regional studies, political science, sustainability transitions, sociology or economics, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.
To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (masters degree) in the spring of 2025 you are also welcome to apply.
Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales to calculate your points for admission.
Emphasis is also placed on your:
- motivation and potential for research within the field
- professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
- ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
- having a good command of both oral and written English
Requirements for competence in English
- A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90 IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
- Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62
- The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:
- Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
- Applicants with a completed master’s degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir’s GSU list
We offer
- a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
- an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
- colleague-based guidance programme (NyTi) if teaching is a part of your position
- access to Lifekeys, a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
- salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 532 200 gross per year with salary
- development according to seniority in the position. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
- automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus
- employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
- “Hjem-jobb-hjem” discounted public transport to and from work
- as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
- relocation programme
Diversity
- Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions.
- At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other’s differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases.
- If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been out of the workforce for a period.
- If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position.
- Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here.
- The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.
Contact information
More information on the position (and project description) can be obtained from Huiwen Gong (e-mail: Huiwen.gong@uis.no) or Silje Haus-Reve (e-mail: silje.haus-reve@uis.no).
Information about the appointment procedure can be obtained from Senior HR Advisor Helene Engelsgjerd Figved, tel: +47 51831558,
e-mail: helene.e.figved@uis.no.
Application
To apply for this position please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. In your application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.
The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application: project proposal, a project proposal template can be found here.
- CV with a full summary of your education and experience
- references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
- documentation on competence in English if this is required publications or other relevant research work
Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation.
The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.
Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants – see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act. If your request is not granted, you will be notified.
UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.
General information
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further assessment.
Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee’s statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.
The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research.
It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.
The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the Norwegian text takes precedence.
UiS – challenge the well-known and explore the unknown
The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.
In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.
Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.
The University of Stavanger School of Business and Law carries out research and offers study programs across all areas of business. The study options include bachelor programs in Business Administration, Accounting & Auditing, and Law. The school also offers master programs in Business Administration, Accounting & Auditing, and Executive MBA, as well as research education (PhD). The Centre of Innovation Research is part of the school. There are currently 120 employees and 1,400 students at the school. The UiS School of Business and Law is organized in three departments; Department of Innovation, Leadership and Marketing, Department of Accounting and Law and Department of Economics and Finance.
Additional information
Contact persons:
Silje Haus-Reve, avdelingsleder Phone: | E-mail: silje.haus-reve@uis.no
Helene Engelsgjerd Figved, senior HR-rådgiver Phone: | E-mail: helene.e.figved@uis.no
Place of service:
Ullandhaug 4021 Stavanger (Stavanger Municipality)