PhD Fellowship position in Art in Society

A PhD Fellowship position in Art in Society is available at the Department of Art, Design and Drama, the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet). The Doctoral Fellowship is associated with the interdisciplinary research group Art & Society and the new PhD programme Innovation for Sustainability. We seek an innovative, curiosity-driven and scientifically strong candidate who is keen to explore ideas and topics which focus on how aesthetics, arts and culture may intervene in the ways in which we attempt transformation towards a more sustainable, just and livable planet.

Area of research

Sustainability challenges – from climate change and biodiversity loss to social inequality and unrest – require responses that are not only characterized by technological advances and calculability, but that also mobilize imaginative acts that open new spaces and practices for dealing with the effects of interlinked social and environmental problems. One of the appeals of the arts in this regard is that they are seen to open up much needed spaces for creativity and experimentation and to work on an affective, sensuous and emotional level. This level is often seen as lacking in the more technocratic language of policy and planning. Furthermore, the arts play an important role in thinking through our representations of environmental change and may give tangible form to the imagination of alternatives outside of the constraints of the given present.

However, artistic strategies and formats are struggling when it comes to attempts at intervening in general issues of power and politics concerning questions of sustainability. Too often they become isolated islands of empowerment and their outcomes often remain marginalized in the overall policy process. More work is needed to critically interrogate how (or indeed where or by whom) the arts might intervene in sustainability issues in ways that challenge and change the status quo. An important first step is to create stronger links between critical social theories and artistic strategies, practices and formats in order to explicitly address the politics of this kind of work and its political implications. This entails focusing not only on the transformative potentials of aesthetic processes and outputs. It is also necessary to critique the politics and elitism of many art forms, including white heteronormative forms of cultural production and those based on elite and/or solely Western expertise, knowledge practices and framings of the environment.

The doctoral project designed by the applicant is expected to explore topics and ideas related to the discussions outlined in this call, focusing specifically on the politics of the arts and aesthetics in terms of engaging with a world in ecological crisis. We seek projects that in various ways both recognize and appreciate the possibilities of the arts and aesthetics to tell alternative stories about sustainability, and that critically explores their potential to intervene in authoritative institutional and disciplinary spaces, as well as within more everyday places and communities. The ways in which the project responds to the call should be outlined in the application letter and project description.

Main duties of the position

The candidate is expected to conduct independent research that advance the state of the arts at the intersection of arts and aesthetics and sustainability, and to contribute to the broader research environment in the department. This includes participating in joint research activities and research training, as well as disseminating findings in research seminars, conferences, peer-reviewed journals and other fora.

The PhD fellowship will be offered for a period of three years (100% position), or alternatively, four years including 25% compulsory work (teaching and supervision activities or research administrative work). The decision on whether a 3 or 4-year position is suitable will be discussed as a part of the interview process.

Qualification requirements

• A Master’s degree or equivalent with a grade B or better and a Bachelor’s degree with grade C or better.
• The Master’s degree should be in visual or performing arts or, alternatively, an interdisciplinary Master’s degree or equivalent in which artistic strategies, methods or practices are put to work in disciplinary contexts outside the art field (i.e. the GeoHumanities, cultural geography, the environmental humanities, design). The Master’s degree must have been obtained and the final evaluation must be available by the application deadline
• Candidates from other academic disciplines will be assessed based on the relevance of the project description
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Candidates who already hold a PhD in the same or similar field may not apply. General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Civil Service Act (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat).

Admission to the doctoral program at the faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet, within 3 months after employment in the position, is a prerequisite for joining the position. To be admitted to the PhD program, the applicant must have a B or better at the master's degree and C or better at the bachelor's degree.

We are looking for applicants who

• have good collaboration skills and ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities
• have the academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• have ambitions to conduct high-level research

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further 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.

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 letter of motivation where you describe why you apply for this project, the relevance of your project to the call and what makes you especially suited to finish a PhD (500-1000 words).
• Project description: maximum 5 pages, including:
  • research aim, objectives and questions, theoretical framework and methods
  • description of research challenges and/or research gap and advancement beyond the state of the art
  • outputs and impact
  • progress plan
  • list of references (excluded from the page count)

The final project description will be developed with the candidate’s supervisor when applying for admission to the doctoral programme

• Curriculum Vitae with an overview of education, publications, employment, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying experience (i.e. artistic work)
• 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 (www.nokut.no/en/), and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.

• Copy of master thesis
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
• Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to include a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en
• Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test).
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted).
    
    
• The following applicants are exempt from the above-mentioned language requirements:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA.
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Please apply electronically to this position.

All the documents must be written in English or a Scandinavian language (Danish, Swedish or Norwegian). Any translations must be authorized by government. Originals 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 Katja Lindseth: katja.lindseth@oslomet.no

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

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development as part of a creative and innovative research environment
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements, including free Norwegian classes to employees
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title and position code. State salary wage scale 54, 501 200 NOK per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well qualified applicants.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

Other information

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

• Head of Department Liv Klakegg Dahlin, tlf: +47 99 71 71 99
• Research group leader Cecilie Sachs Olsen, tlf. +47 91 83 69 63

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

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

Deadline for applications:      20.02.2023

Ref.:                                          22/08878