Postdoctoral Fellow in Social Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Postdoc on student dropout from Higher Education
You will be working on a research project called "Persistent Passion for Professional Education - Consequences for student completion and dropout" (Persist) funded by the Norwegian Research Council and led by Professor Håvard Helland at the Centre for the Study of Professions. The project will study completion and dropout in higher education (HE), and chart differences and similarities across programmes and disciplines. We will examine the significance of background factors such as sex, ethnicity and social class origin, and examine labour market consequences of dropout. The project will examine possible reasons for dropout and explanations of variations across programmes and disciplines, and thus elaborate influential theories on the dropout phenomenon. The project raises questions such as: How do completion rates vary across study programmes and institutions, and how do these vary among groups (SES, sex, ethnic origin etc.)? What do the non-completing students do instead? Do students drop out because they perform poorly or fail specific subjects, or is it also an opposite tendency? What are the labour market consequences of noncompletion of HE? To what extent do the consequences vary between groups (social class origin, ethnic background, gender, geography, grades from upper secondary and tertiary education etc.), and between those dropping out from different programmes? How do the consequences for labour market outcomes vary over time and with the business cycle?

This position is for a period of three years, supposed to work on Norwegian registerdata (administrative population data) and you will contribute to two of the project’s work packages:

• WP 1 Mapping professional students’ ways through higher education.
• WP 4 Labour market consequences of dropout from higher education.

You must make a project that fits with the above. The description can be found online, but you can also request the full project description from the project leader Håvard Helland.

You will be part of the research group on ‘Professional careers and professional labour markets’, led by Helland, at the Centre for the Study of Professions.

SPS develops the study of professions as a multidisciplinary field of research, comprising research from a wide range of disciplines. The Centre is cross-disciplinary, and theoretically and methodologically diverse. SPS is a leading centre for research and graduate study within the study of professions in the Nordic countries.

You must have

• a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in social science. Candidates in the completing stages of the doctoral degree must have submitted their thesis for evaluation, and have received an approval for public defence by the application date
• a relevant project proposal building on, and contributing to, the Persist project
• the capacity for independent academic research at a high level, preferably documented through publications in international journals
• published empirical research based on quantitative data in high quality journals
• experience with working on large datasets, such as administrative registers.
• advanced knowledge of relevant quantitative research methods.
• excellent written and oral proficiency in English and Norwegian (or other Scandinavian Language)

Residence in Norway is expected, but Researchers are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period. The position will be located at Oslo Metropolitan University.

General criteria for appointment to a position as Postdoc are stipulated in Regulations relating to Appointment (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat) § 1-2, see details in Norwegian

We are looking for applicants with

• a responsible and reliable approach to work
• a collegial attitude
• an intellectual orientation towards, and ability to work in, a cross-disciplinary environment
• a strong interest in research

Norwegian language classes will be offered to comply with the requirements of the position.

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active efforts to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required.

When reviewing the applications we will pay particular attention to

• the quality of the project proposal, and its contribution to the Persist project
• the quality of your previous research, including the doctoral thesis
• competence in quantitative research methods
• the application letter’s description of your motivation for applying for this position and explanation of how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research project.

We will look at your general academic and personal capacity to contribute to the Persist project within the given timeframe, to interact within national and international networks, and to be part of a dynamic research group. You must complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Expert evaluation

An expert committee will assess applicants. You must upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for Applications:

• A project proposal and plan (max 5 pages including research questions, method, progress plan and literature – font size 12, 1 ½ line space and 3 cm margines)
• Application letter. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research Project.
• CV, references and all pages of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A–F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• A complete list of your academic production
• Up to 5 academic documents including your PhD dissertation (in English and Scandinavian languages only)

Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact andjo@oslomet.no

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic professional environment and unique academic network
• membership in an active research group and academic seminars where you will receive feedback on articles etc.
• a work environment where we see and encourage each other
  Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners
• Relocation support, cultural courses and on boarding services
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

OsloMet’s International Career Site gives information on living and working in Oslo.

Other information

If you would like more information about the positon, feel free to contact:

Centre Director, Oddgeir Osland, +47 67 23 53 26, oddos@oslomet.no
Professor Håvard Helland, +47 67 23 53 58, havhel@oslomet.no

The position is remunerated in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, 1352 Postdoc, with a salary range between NOK 524.200-682.200 (annual). For particularly well qualified applicants we may consider a higher salary. By law, 2% of the salary will be deducted and sent to the State Pension Fund

If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

Deadline for applications: 2 January 2019

Ref.:                18/09828

OsloMet has implemented the Charter & Code and been certified by the EU Commission with HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) and is part of the EU network for mobility of Researchers Euraxess.