项目介绍

2025年11月27日

PhD Research Fellowship in Cultural Studies at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion

We are seeking a motivated and academically strong candidate for a PhD Research Fellowship in cultural studies at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion, commencing May 4th 2026 or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of three years. 

The PhD position is reserved for a project on natureculture relations in museums, and will contribute to improving research, research competence, and collaborations on research and development in museums. 

The position is advertised in conjunction with the research project NAMUS, a collaboration between the University of Bergen, Museums of Sogn og Fjordane, Hardanger and Voss Museum and Museum Vest and an external advisory board with leading international experts. The PhD candidate will become part of a research group collaborating closely on museological questions in the intersection between the university environment and the museum sector.

The successful candidate will get the opportunity to work with top scholars in the field,  attend domestic and international conferences and seminars, and  conduct a continuous and comprehensive field work within chosen institutions at the consolidated museums in Vestland county.

About NAMUS:

The Nature of Museums: On the Interweaving of Nature and Culture in Museums (NAMUS) is a research project funded by the Research Council of Norway for the period 2026-2029.

The project will focus on how the modern divide between nature and culture is articulated in Norwegian museums, and builds on a framework combining perspectives on museums from Cultural Studies and Cultural History with insights from history and social anthropology.

We are looking for a candidate who develops a project with a starting point in the museums of Vestland County that explores how naturecultural relations have been / are articulated in establishing new museums, in traditional crafts, in collecting and communication practices and in different ways of understanding history, cultural and natural heritage in the Anthropocene. The project description with more information regarding the different research themes of NAMUS is available on the web pages of the Museums in Sogn og Fjordane.

About the PhD position and the research training:

The primary objective of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral degree that qualifies for independent research and other roles requiring specific competencies. 

The duration of the PhD position is three years, of which 2.5 years will be allocated to the research project itself. As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the Faculty of Humanities’ PhD program. The program includes a training component of 30 ECTS, corresponding to six months of the employment period.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

The applicant must have:

• A Norwegian master’s degree or an equivalent foreign degree in Cultural Studies, Cultural History, Museums and Heritage Studies, Environmental Humanities, History, or other relevant museum disciplines. Foreign degrees will be assessed in accordance with the standards set by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills.
• An ability to work independently in a well-structured manner, combined with strong collaborative skills. 
• An ability to understand and interpret Norwegian sources in connection with field work and data collection.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English.  

It is an advantage to have:

• Experience with or knowledge on the museum sector. 
• Experience with collaborating across sectors.

Applicants will be assessed based on the admission requirements outlined in section 2.1 of The Faculty of Humanities’ PhD Program.

Applicants are required to submit a project proposal for a research project intended to result in a doctoral dissertation, along with a progress plan for the project. 

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

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating work environment. 
• Opportunities to build strong professional networks.
• A secure and flexible working environment with good welfare benefits.
• Salary as a PhD fellow (position code 1017), currently corresponding to a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700 in a full-time position (code 1017). Salary increases will be based on seniority in the position.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which provides a secure occupational pension scheme, disability and survivor benefits, as well as access to favourable housing loans.

How to apply:

Applications must be submitted electronically through the link “APPLY FOR THIS JOB”. Follow the steps in the application process and include the following:

• Under “Application text”: Write a brief description of your research interests and motivation for applying. 
• Under “CV”, include: 
  • Personal details.
  • Relevant experience and qualifications (complete the sections applicable to you). A list of publications/scientific works may be uploaded as a separate document if preferred (publication list).
  • Language proficiency.
  • At least two referees, one of whom must be the main supervisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis.
• Under “Attachments”, upload the following as separate documents: 
  • A project proposal of up to 12.000 characters including spaces (excluding bibliography). The project proposal should clearly describe the research project, including the research background, main research questions, theoretical framework, methodology, ethical considerations and the empirical material to be used. A bibliography for the proposal must be included.
  • A progress plan for the project that takes the training component of the Ph.d.-program into account.
  • Transcripts and diplomas for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, preferably uploaded from Vitnemålsportalen. If unavailable, please upload as regular files. This must contain information about the number of ECTS credits awarded for the master’s degree and thesis, or be followed by an official and personalized confirmation with this information issued by the awarding institution.  
  • A short summary of the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis (up to three pages). 
  • Full list of any scientific work (publication list). 
  • Relevant certificates/references documenting your qualifications, skills, experiences or qualities. 

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

The Evaluation Committee may occasionally request additional documentation be submitted.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

Click here for further information about the appointment process.

Formal regulations:

• Applicants who have previously 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 held a recruitment position at another institution.
• The appointed candidate is required to have their daily workplace at the University of Bergen and must comply with the applicable guidelines.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting the Head of Department, professor Teemu Ryymin, email: teemu.ryymin@uib.no, phone: +47 55 58 38 79 or the project leader, associate professor Torgeir Rinke Bangstad, email: torgeir.bangstad@uib.no, phone: +47 40 09 03 80.

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

International Center UiB has information about relocating to Norway for international applicants.

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 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.

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