PhD Fellowship in Politics

The Department of Media and Social Sciences

Organisation/Company: University of Stavanger
Department: The Department of Media and Social Sciences
Research Field: Political sciences » Science and society, Sociology » Sociology of labour, Economics » Economic systems, Technology » Information technology
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: Norway
Application Deadline: 4 May 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The University of Stavanger (UiS) invites applications for a PhD Fellowship on the consequences of the "AI Revolution" for higher-educated professionals in Norway. The position is located at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Department of Media & Social Sciences.

This position offers an opportunity to conduct an original research project on how higher-educated professionals perceive and handle their exposure to AI-related technological change, and how this affects their social and political attitudes and behaviours. By doing this project, you will develop in-depth knowledge of the social and political effects of technological change and the "AI Revolution". You will also get hands-on skills in social science and media studies research methods, especially qualitative methods.

A PhD Fellowship will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

You 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 position is available from December 1st 2025, the appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively.

Your PhD project will address the issue and use qualitative (or mixed) methods to provide an in-depth perspective on Norwegian higher educated service workers' perceptions of AI-related technological change, and how they handle this transition and its effects. This will allow you to contribute new insights to an important societal and scientific debate on the effects of digitalization and the "AI revolution".

You will work under the supervision of Associate Professor Carlo Knotz, Professor Raul Ferrer Conill, and Professor Helle Sjøvaag.

Project proposal

As an applicant, you must prepare a preliminary project proposal for a doctoral project within the subject area, in which you develop a concrete research plan, including specific research questions, hypotheses, theoretical and methodological approach for your doctoral research within the overall scope of the project. We are particularly interested in the strategies you would use to get in contact with professionals in the Norwegian media and finance/insurance industries to do your research.

Your preliminary project proposal will be used to assess your qualification for the position together with other qualification requirements (see below). The proposal should be a maximum of 3000 words including references. A project proposal template can be found here.

Applications without a project proposal will not be considered.

During the first three months of the employment period, the project proposal and progress plan will be further developed in cooperation with your supervisors and completed for the final plan for the PhD-project.

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree (3+2) within political science, media/journalism studies, sociology, economics, psychology or a related discipline, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate. If you finish your degree by September 1st 2025 you are also welcome to apply.

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.

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.

We also put emphasis on:

• interest in digitalisation, AI technology, political and social attitudes and behaviour, and the media and/or finance & insurance industries
• strong skills in qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, document analysis), preferably documented with thesis project(s), work experience, or similar. Additional knowledge about and interest in quantitative methods (e.g., survey and/or experimental social science methods) or mixed-methods approaches would be an advantage.
• an ability to use, and/or willingness to learn, relevant software tools (e.g., NVivo)
• strong motivation for and clear potential to contribute to international social and media science research
• an ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• a structured approach to work, resiliency, and curiosity

You must have good communications skills in English (see below) and Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, as interviews, research data and information gathering are conducted in Norwegian.

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

• hands-on experience and training in empirical social science & media studies methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys, experiments)
• an interdisciplinary and international team of supervisors, combining political science and media studies
• integration in one of two relevant doctoral schools at the Faculty of Social Sciences as well the Digital Society Research Group.
• a friendly and supportive work environment that values creativity and new ideas
• 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.
• 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
• an attractive region with a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities, including nature experiences such as fjords, beaches and mountains
• a salary in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale l.pl. 17.515, code 1017: NOK 532 100 per year (gross), with development according to seniority in the position. From the salary, 2% are deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• access to Lifekeys, a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
• discounted public transport to and from work
• discounted membership at the SiS gym and sports club located right on campus.
• as an employee in Norway, you have access to high-quality health care, generous maternity/paternity leave, good pensions, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• a relocation programme providing assistance when moving to Stavanger, Norway

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a full summary of your education and experience, including contact information of three references
• certificates/diplomas/transcript of record and other documentation relevant for the assessment
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on English skills, where relevant (see above "Requirements for competence in English")
• other documentation of relevant activities (publications, research, work experience, course certificates, etc.), if relevant

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge. Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation.

The documents must be uploaded in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed.

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.

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.

Contact and further information

For questions about the project and the PhD position, please do not hesitate to contact Associate Professor Carlo Knotz, tel: +47 51831628 email: carlo.knotz@uis.no

For questions regarding the application process, please contact HR Advisor Janne V. Endresen, tel: +47 51831216, email: janne.v.endresen@uis.no

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.

You will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research. It is expected that you have a residence in the Stavanger-region 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 English 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 Faculty of Social Sciences has about 2,400 students and 210 employees. The studies are based on a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge, on interdisciplinarity and cooperation with public and private sectors. New knowledge is generated from both practical experience and systematic research, or a combination of them. The educational offer is varied and includes Hospitality and Tourism, Media, Sociology, Social Work and Child Welfare, amongst others. The Faculty consists of: Department of Media and Social Sciences, Department of Social Studies and NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation.

The Department of Media and Social Sciences offers a year course in Communication, bachelor studies in Sociology, Political Science, Journalism, and Television- and Multimedia Production. In addition, the Department offers four master programmes: Master's in Change Management and Master's in Documentary (both in Norwegian), and two international master programmes, Master's in Digital Society and Societal Transformation and Master's in Energy, Environment and Society. The Department delivers research within all these study programmes and the Department also has its own PhD research school (POLSOC). The Department currently has 700 employees (including Post Docs and PhD's) and approximately 900 students.