Postdoctoral Researcher in Climate Governance & Experimental Social Science

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with 23,000 students and over 2,600 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

Faculty of Social Sciences offers study programmes within archivistics, library and information science, journalism and media studies, social work, social policy and child welfare, public management and business.

The faculty has about 4200 students and nearly 280 members of staff.

ERC Consolidator Grant Project CAMELOT

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position (SKO 1352) in Climate Governance and Experimental Social Science at the Oslo Business School at Oslo Metropolitan University in Oslo, Norway.

The position is based in the academic unit Public Administration and Governance at Oslo Business School (Faculty of Social Sciences) at OsloMet. The group pursues research related to organization, public policy and leadership in the public sector. OsloMet provides a stimulating research environment, with a strategic focus on sustainability, democracy, and expertise for an unpredictable world. The project involves collaboration with international partners and includes empirical work across multiple European countries.

About the Project

The position is part of ERC-funded research project examining how individuals, public institutions and societies develop the capacity to anticipate and respond to long-term climate risks (“Capacities for More Effective Long-term Governance Capacities - CAMELOT). CAMELOT focuses on the cognitive, emotional, and social foundations of “governance capacities” — that is, the ability to engage with uncertain, future-oriented challenges such as climate tipping points. The project combines theoretical development with innovative empirical research, bringing together perspectives from climate governance, political science, futures and sustainability research. The project is led by Manjana Milkoreit.

The Position

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to play a central role in CAMELOT, with primary responsibility for developing and implementing a large-scale experimental study (Work Package 2) and contributing to theoretical work (Work Package 1). The position offers a high degree of intellectual ownership within a collaborative project structure. The successful candidate will be closely involved in shaping the empirical direction of the project.

Residence in Oslo, Norway is expected. The workplace will be on the premises of OsloMet, Pilestredet campus.

Research Focus

The postdoctoral researcher will work on a novel experimental research program, examining how different forms of climate communication and public engagement influence how people understand risk, imagine the future, and develop a sense of agency. Rather than focusing on a single communication format, the project systematically compares contrasting approaches—ranging from analytical and information-based formats to narrative and participatory forms of engagement—to better understand the mechanisms through which future-oriented thinking develops. The study combines online and in-person components across multiple European countries, generating both quantitative and qualitative data.

Your main duties and areas of responsibility will be to

• co-lead the design, coordination, and implementation of a multi-country experimental study
• manage complex data collection processes, including participant recruitment and coordination of in-person research activities
• contribute to the development of experimental materials in collaboration with project partners and domain experts
• conduct advanced quantitative analysis of experimental and survey data
• contribute to qualitative data collection and analysis where relevant
• lead and co-author academic publications arising from the project
• contribute to the development of the project’s theoretical framework on governance capacities

Qualification requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant field or discipline (e.g., political science, environmental psychology, sociology, human geography, sustainability science, communication, or related disciplines); the doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation by the closing application date; appointment is dependent on the dissertation and public defense of the doctoral dissertation being approved
• strong expertise in experimental and/or survey-based research design
• excellent quantitative analysis skills (e.g., R or equivalent)
• demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
• ability to work as a part of a team
• willingness to engage with the practical and organizational aspects of a large-scale research project, including travel and coordination of fieldwork
• ability to fluently communicate research ideas and results including written outputs and conference presentations
• proficiency in spoken and written English

General criteria for appointment to teaching and research positions are set out in the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

It will be an advantage if you have

• experience with large-scale or multi-site data collection
• familiarity with climate change, environmental governance, or sustainability topics
• evidence of involvement in collaborative research projects
• interest in science communication and public engagement
• experience working in interdisciplinary research settings

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and we welcome all qualified applicants. We are actively working to develop ourselves further as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if you need it. If you have periods in your life where you have not been in work, education or training, you are also welcome to apply with us. 

We offer

• engaging professional opportunities at Norway’s third largest university
• participation in research groups and a creative and inspiring academic community
• a central role in an ERC-funded project with high scientific ambition
• individual mentoring and professional development opportunities
• collaboration with an international network of researchers and practitioners
• a friendly, inclusive workplace allowing for a good work-life balance
• good welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• loan and pension benefits with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• a workplace in the center of Oslo

The salary for the position is in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMet’s pay policy for Postdoctoral Researcher in code 1352, salary 584 500 – 745 000 NOK per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. From the salary, 2% will be deducted in pension contributions for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).

The position is offered for three years, with the opportunity for a fourth year.

Application Process and Expert Committee

If you wish to apply for the position, you must do so through our recruitment system.

An expert committee will conduct the assessment of relevant applications. Applicants will be assessed on their methodological and analytical strength, project execution capacity, publication potential, collaborative abilities, and their motivation to contribute to the implementation of CAMELOT.

Before the application documents are sent to the expert committee, all applications will be reviewed by the faculty. Applications from unqualified candidates will not be forwarded to the expert committee for assessment. If the number of applications requires it, an internal screening committee at OsloMet will carry out an initial selection of candidates. The selected applicants will then be assessed by the expert committee.

Please upload the following documents by the application deadline:

• application letter (max 2 pages) describing your motivation for applying for this position and explaining how your background, research, and experience is relevant to the project
• CV, and all pages of academic certificates/diplomas
• complete list of publications
• up to three academic works to date (may include unpublished manuscripts); include a declaration of co-authorship for co-authored works specifying your individual contribution; a doctoral dissertation or monograph counts as three publications
• names and contact information for 2-3 referees (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail, and phone number)

We only consider applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be considered. The documents must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be authorized, and you will be asked to present originals if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet verifies documents to give candidates a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For relevant positions, OsloMet conducts background checks of applicants in cooperation with an external provider, in order to verify information contained in available documents. Background checks are always carried out with the candidate’s consent, and employment in these positions is conditional upon an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information about this.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of project Manjana Milkoreit, (+47) 922 81 887, e-mail: manjana.milkoreit@sosgeo.uio.no
• Head of Section Siri Borlaug, (+47) 993 05 003, e-mail: siri.borlaug@oslomet.no
• For administrative inquiries, please contact (email: stale.bie@oslomet.no)

OsloMet holds the EU certification HR Center of Excellence for Charter & Code supporting researchers in career development, mobility and employee rights.

OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.

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. Candidates who are seen to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter law will not be considered for the position.

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