PhD candidate (SKO 1017) within the field of public administration / European studies

ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a 3-year research fellowship as PhD candidate (SKO 1017) within the field of public administration / European studies. The position is part of the research project «European Integration and National Law: A theory of administrative behaviour in complex institutional settings» (COMPLEX), led by professor Erik O. Eriksen at ARENA.

ARENA is a multidisciplinary research centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo. The centre promotes theoretically oriented, empirically informed studies seeking to analyse the dynamics of the evolving European systems of governance. It is renowned for its cutting edge research on the transformation of Europe, and coordinates and participates in numerous international research projects and networks, mainly funded by European and Norwegian research programmes. Its international staff is conducive to a vibrant and integrated research community, where the working language is English. More information about ARENA is available at www.arena.uio.no

The position is part of the research project «European Integration and National Law: A theory of administrative behaviour in complex institutional settings» (COMPLEX) which is financed by the Research Council of Norway. COMPLEX studies administrative decision-making in the European multilevel constellation. The Commission does not have its own agencies at the national level but it works closely with independent national agencies (directorates and supervisory authorities), often bypassing national ministries. These agencies are then double hatted: they serve their respective national ministries, and are at the same time part of the multilevel EU administration. The project investigates how these bodies interpret and practice EU’s secondary laws. Sometimes they make mistakes. The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, NAV, for example, is embroiled in an ongoing controversy. Due to NAV’s allegedly incorrect interpretation of EU rules, a number of benefit recipients were wrongly convicted of fraud. The empirical focus in the project is on the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet), the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet), and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). The PhD fellow will be part of a research group led by Erik O. Eriksen at ARENA Centre for European Studies. More information about the project is available here.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Master’s degree in Social Sciences or law (which meets the requirements of enrolment in the PhD-programme) before taking up the post
• For applicants who have yet to receive their Master’s degree, the Master’s thesis must have been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline (1 September 2021). Such applicants should note the date of submission of their Master’s degree in the cover letter. Appointment is dependent on the master thesis being approved
• Knowledge of administrative law would be preferred
• Knowledge of and experience with quantitative analysis, and/or qualitative analysis is an advantage
• Ambitions for high-quality research
• Interest in the project’s and ARENA’s research fields
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

In assessing the candidates, particular emphasis will be placed on the quality and relevance of the project proposal, academic qualifications, as well as command of English. Finally, personal suitability and motivation for the position will be taken into consideration. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview.

• A salary of NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• An academically stimulating and international working environment
• A friendly and inclusive work environment
• Opportunity to participate at international conferences and workshops
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• A good work-life balance and access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare.

The online application must include:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) including statement of motivation
• A project proposal (max. 3 pages),  containing description of the theme, problem formulation, research approach, case selection and a tentative progress plan
• A CV summarizing education, any academic employment or other qualifying activities and publications you may have. The period of enrolment (admission – completion) in the candidate’s master study programme must be specified
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts from university degrees only)
• Copy of Master’s degree diploma or documentation of thesis submission
• Up to two publications (e.g. master’s thesis or published articles). Please note that there is no separate prompt for uploading such documents in the application portal. These must therefore be uploaded as separate “Attachments”
• Names and contact details of two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number). Reference letters are not needed.

The application and all supporting documents must be must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”. International applicants are advised to attach an official explanation of their University’s grading system, translated into ECTS. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.