Norway : The University of Agder PhD Research Fellow in Social Work, Sociology or Adjoining Subject Areas

PhD Research Fellow in social work, sociology or adjoining subject areas at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, ref. 84/09

The University of Agder invites applications for a full-time fixed-term appointment as PhD Research Fellow social work, sociology or adjoining subject areas for a period of three years, alternatively four years with 25% of the time assigned to tasks at the faculty’s discretion, at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work and Welfare Studies, located in Kristiansand, Norway.

The successful applicant will work with issues relevant to municipal Child Welfare Services. In the preliminary project design the applicants are asked to discuss the problem at hand with persons involved in relevant child welfare schemes. The applicants should have an interest in quantitative research. Cooperation with the national research project “Det nye barnevernet” may take place. The position is funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs.

Information about the appointment criteria for a position as PhD Research Fellow can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Post of Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident, available for download at www.uia.no/vacancies

The PhD Research Fellow must be admitted to a PhD programme at a partner university or university college within three months after the starting date. The PhD Research Fellow is expected to complete a doctoral dissertation within the period of employment.

The applicants should hold a master’s degree or equivalent in the area of social work, sociology or adjoining subject areas with special emphasis on child welfare. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, and any previous research and development work. Relevant practical experience, personal suitability and good teamwork skills will also be emphasised. The University, on its side, is committed to securing good supervision for the successful applicant. Short-listed applicants may be invited for interviews.

Applicants must submit a project description of no more than 10 pages including the bibliography. The project description should include a presentation of possible quantitatively oriented research questions/hypotheses, theoretical framework, and a progress plan for the proposed doctoral project. An essential part of the assessment of applicants is the quality of the project description.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the Civil Service.

The Civil Service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society in its work force. It is therefore a goal of personnel policy in the Civil Service to achieve balanced gender representation, include different age groups and recruit civil servants from backgrounds reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country. Minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply for the position.

The position is remunerated within the State salary scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017, salary grade 45 (NOK 355.400). A 2% compulsory pension contribution will be deducted and paid to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund according to current statutory provisions.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Send application”.

The following documentation should be sent in three hard copies to the following address: Human Resources Office, University of Agder, Service box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway, quoting “ref nr. 84/09”:

* Certified copies of diplomas and references
* List of scientific publications
* Master’s thesis
* Other scientific publications
* Project description (no more than 10 pages)

The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation in a sufficient number of copies before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Closing date: 1 December 2009

In accordance with §25 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act, applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the name of the applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Sigrid Nordstoga, tel. (+47) 38141725, e-mail: sigrid.nordstoga@uia.no or Head of Department Aud-Keila Bendiksen Kjær, tel. (+47) 38141647, e-mail aud-keila.b.kjar@uia.no

The full text of this announcement is also available online at www.uia.no/stilling

In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.

Official announcement can be obtained at:

http://uia.easycruit.com/vacancy/344217/35073?iso=gb