PhD fellowship in project on employment of vulnerable citizens in small and medium sized enterprises (ENGAGE) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the project

The PhD position is part of the project “Sustained employment of ‘hard-to-place’ citizens in small and medium sized enterprises: A mixed-method study in Norway and the Netherlands” (ENGAGE). The project is financed by the Norwegian Research Council and Oslo Metropolitan University, and it will run from September 2020 to August 2024.

The project will study employer engagement to promote sustained employment of people with work impairments or disabilities in small and medium sized enterprises (SME). The project is interdisciplinary and finds inspiration in social policy and active labour market (ALMP) studies, Human Resource Managmenet (HRM) and organization studies, governance studies and studies vocational and occupational rehabilitation.

The project has the following objectives:

1. To develop new knowledge on how (a) employer engagement and (b) organizational, HRM and workplace practices can contribute to the sustained inclusion of vulnerable groups in SMEs.
2. To develop new knowledge on how service providers can meet the support needs of SMEs regarding the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
3. To deepen the knowledge mentioned under the former objectives by developing and testing a theoretical model for employer engagement and workplace practices.
4. To develop new knowledge on how SMEs engage with ALMP efforts in the context of different welfare regimes (Norway and the Netherlands).
5. To develop a practical toolkit for SME managers regarding the sustained inclusion of vulnerable groups.

The project is multi-method (qualitative case studies, survey, literature review) and it involves a national comparison of Norway and the Netherlands. The project will be conducted in dialogue with key stakeholders.

Please see the project homepage for further details about the project: Project ENGAGE. A full project description can also be forwarded upon request.

Description of the PhD position

The PhD position is expected to be relevant for the objectives in the project. The core responsibility of the PhD lies with the research in Norway, and it may also involve a cross-national study. It should preferably involve both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Applicants are expected to develop an outline (max 5 pages) of a PhD research project description that explicates its relevance for the project. The project description should also describe how it relates to previous research, as well as its theoretical perspective(s) and methodological design. Final development of the PhD project description will be conducted in collaboration with the other members of the project upon employment.

The PhD researcher will be employed at AFI/OsloMet. In addition to being part of the project Engage project group, s/he will also be part of the research group “Organization of the Welfare State” at AFI.

The PhD position will be undertaken for three years.

Qualifications

• A masters degree (120 ETCS and at least a B is required) in a relevant field; Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, Organization Science, Management, Health Sciences, Social Work, or similar
• Good/excellent language skills in English and Norwegian (or other Scandinavian languages)

Prerequisites

• Employment is regulated through Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of postdoktor (post-doctoral research fellow), stipendiat (research fellow), vitenskapelig assistent (research assistant) and spesialistkandidat (resident)
  
• You are expected to accomplish your doctoral thesis within the duration of the fellowship
• Your designated work place is at AFI
• Employment is determined by admission to the doctoral programme, either at Social work and social policy or at The Study of Professions before entry. Read more about the doctoral programme and the admission requirements here: Social work and social policy The Study of Professions
• Application to the programme should be sent after a doctoral fellowship has been offered
• Applicants that have been granted a doctoral fellowship earlier, will be given a lower priority, and may be outsorted prior to the evaluation of the expert committee
• A final plan for your research training should be approved and regulated by contract no later than three months after entry

It is desirable that you have

• Experience with or knowledge of qualitative or quantitative research methods
• Relevant research experience
• Interest in cooperating in an international research team
• Interest in producing academic publications and participation in international seminars/conferences
• Ability to work independently
• Good cooperation skills
• Reliable

Evaluation

In evaluating the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the following:

• The quality and suitability of the PhD project description, including its relevance to the project
• Other submitted materials (incl masters thesis)
• Relevant practical experiences
• Grades from higher education

Expert evaluation

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

• Letter of application in English
• 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.
• Your master's degree/second degree thesis and any other scholarly work that you wish the expert committee to take into consideration (max 5)
• A list of your publications, if relevant
• Official language test report (applicants from the Nordic countries and applicants with English as first language are exempt from this requirement)

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 a diploma is not available by the application deadline, you must send a transcript of record of your grades and send a copy of the original diploma by mail.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact Christina Lindskog by email, licr@oslomet.no.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying for the position and what makes you particularly suited to carry out this PhD work.

Application deadline is August 24th 2020.

We offer

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development in a creative research environment
• Participation in an active, interdisciplinary research group with the opportunity for international stay and collaboration
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Free Norwegian classes to employees
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors to develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in work, education or training.

Remuneration Salary is set in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale, position code 1017 NOK 479 600 – 504 700. By law 2% of the salary is deducted as to the Norwegian State Pension Fund.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) your name may be published on the public applicant list even if you have requested non-disclosure. You will in this case be contacted before your name is published.