项目介绍

2025年3月6日

The Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion invites applications for a PhD position in the Study of Religion focusing on ancient religions commencing 01.01.2026, or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years.

The PhD position is earmarked for a PhD project on strong, individual commitment in ancient Jewish apocalyptic and prophetic literature in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple era and visionary-prophetic models and ideals of commitment. 

The position is the first set of positions advertised connected to the RADHEART project. In addition to this and another PhD position, three postdoctoral positions will also be advertised. The PhD candidates will thus become a part of a closely collaborating research group that works on individual commitment in radical ancient religion, as well as a large and dynamic research environment at the department focusing on the ancient world. The PhD candidates will get the chance to interact with top scholars in the field and travel on conferences and research stays.

About the RADHEART Project

RADHEART: Radical Habits of the Heart: Emotions, Embodiment, and Strong, Individual Commitment in Ancient Religions, an ERC Consolidator Grant led by Laura Feldt.

The project focuses on the role of emotions and embodiment in strong, individual commitment in the ancient world and investigates how emotionally intense, strong religious commitments (i.e., radical habits of the heart) are expressed and cultivated in Jewish and Christian formative traditions across the three axes of textuality, mediality, and practice, from the 6th century BCE to the 6th century CE. The project advances an innovative theoretical framework that combines the aesthetics of religion, experience-oriented anthropology, and forward-oriented philology. The research group will be using perspectives from the aesthetics of religion, experience-oriented anthropology and forward-oriented philological methods.

About the PhD position and the research training

The main purpose of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral degree, which qualifies for independent research and other forms of employment that demand specific competency. The duration of the PhD position is four years. The time allocated to the research project itself is 2.5 years, whilst a total of one year will be devoted to other, career-promoting work such as teaching, dissemination of results and university administration. A plan for this part of the position will be established in collaboration with the Department.  

As a PhD candidate, you must participate in the Faculty of Humanities’ PhD programme. The PhD programme comprises a training component corresponding to 30 ECTS, which corresponds to one semester. The remaining six months will be allocated to this formal training.

Qualifications and personal qualities

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian master’s degree or the equivalent foreign degree in the Study of Religion / religious studies / history of religion or a closely related and relevant discipline or research area. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded by the application deadline. Applicants who document a foreign degree will be evaluated according to the regulations of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) and The Faculty of Humanities’ PhD Programme plan.
• The applicant must be able to work independently in a well-structured manner and have strong cooperation skills. 
• The applicant must be proficient in both written and oral English.
• The applicant must be able to work with the sources in their original language, mainly Hebrew and possibly Aramaic and Greek.

Applicants will be evaluated according to admission requirements in The Faculty of Humanities’ PhD Program pt. 2.1. 

The applicant must have completed a supervised independent research work. This work should normally consist of a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. As a main rule, the applicant must get at least a grade of B or equivalent for the independent research work.

Applicants must submit a proposal for a research project that will result in a doctoral dissertation, as well as a progress plan for the project. The project proposal (ca. 5 pages) must be aligned with the goals of the RADHEART project and engage with the project’s hypotheses, theories and methods. 

In assessing the applications, the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed PhD project and the academic qualifications of the candidate will be considered. Further emphasis is placed on strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant’s personal eligibility.

We offer

• A stimulating and professionally challenging work environment. 
• Gross annual salary of NOK 560 000 for a full-time position (code 1017). Further salary increases will be based on seniority in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 
• Good welfare benefits. 

How to apply for the job

Apply electronically via the link “APPLY FOR THIS JOB”. Applicants are required to use the electronic CV form. The application must include:

• A project proposal of up to five pages/12.000 characters, when bibliography is not included. The project proposal should clearly describe the research project, including the research background, main research questions, theory, method, ethical aspects, a timeline for completion, and the selected empirical material.
• Applicants must elaborate their project as a contribution to the common research project RADHEART and engage with the hypotheses, theoretical perspectives and methods of the RADHEART project. Applicants can read more about the project on the project website and a project description can be obtained via email request to the PI. 
• Bibliography for the proposed project. 
• A progress plan for the project that accommodates career-promoting work and the obligatory training component. Please note that the progress plan must take into account that the thesis itself can be completed within a timeframe of 2.5 years.
• A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position. 
• CV. 
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This must contain information about the number of ECTS of the master’s degree or be followed by an official and personalized confirmation with this information issued by the awarding institution. 
• Documentation for relevant Hebrew proficiency and if, relevant, proficiency in Aramaic and/or Greek.
• A short summary of the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis (up to three pages).
• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list). 
• Publications in your name (up to three works). 
• Relevant certificates/references. 
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main supervisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis. 

The application and attachments must be in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. Please ensure that all attachments are in either Word or PDF format and are uploaded to Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

The Committee of Experts may occasionally request additional documentation be submitted.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

For further information about the appointment process, click here.

Formal regulations

Applicants who have already held a PhD position at the University of Bergen are not eligible to apply for this position.

The employment period may be reduced for candidates who have previously been employed in a recruitment position at other institutions.

The PhD position demands that the applicant has their regular workplace at the University of Bergen and comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times. 

General information

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting the PI of the RADHEART project, Dr. Laura Feldt at laura.feldt@uib.no or the Head of Department, Professor Teemu Sakari Ryymin at teemu.ryymin@uib.no , phone: +47 55 58 38 79.

Questions or inquiries about the electronic application process can be directed to the Faculty of Humanities at fakadm@hf.uib.no. 

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of applicants. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage men to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.