PhD Fellowship position in Visual Communication - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Journalism and Media Studies has a vacant Ph.D. fellowship position.

The fellowship position is financed 100% for three years, with research training culminating in a doctorate degree (Ph.D.).

 The doctoral project's overall aim is to strengthen the scientific knowledge base for visual studies within media studies and photojournalism. Completion of the Ph.D. program ensures necessary qualifications for conducting scientific research and for other activities requiring scientific insight and knowledge about the application of scientific methods.

Visual expressions, visual identity and visual meaning-making play increasingly important roles for media use and understanding. In times characterized by global crises (climate crisis, war and conflict, forced migration, etc.), visual communication plays a prominent political and cultural role. Furthermore, media visuality is intrinsically connected with and dependent upon technology. In a time where all forms of media production are experiencing profound technological transformations, the intersection between technology and the visual has become a vibrant field of growing scholarly interest. 

Visual communication is a broad field that encompasses the dissemination of pictorial information in the broadest sense, i.e. that which is created for visual impressions and the creation of meaning based on what we can see. The term is relevant for both printed and digital media and includes content design (illustrations, typography and graphic design) and the production processes (graphic design, photography and the like). Visual communication can include interactivity, iconography, illustration, text, graphics, genre conventions, perception, data visualization, animation, identity and meaning-making. It can also include creative projects aimed at social and cultural change, where the visual is a focal point.

The Ph.D. project may cover, but is not limited to, the following topics: 

• visual literacy in transformation: how visual media expressions become part of society's social and cultural changes
• visual political expressions, e.g. in connection with war and conflict, climate change, migration etc.
• artificial intelligence (AI) and other forms of manipulative technology and image processing that challenge known requirements for visual documentation and provenance
• genre norms in transformation that have become more important to (re)define and relate to amidst an increasing flow of visual information
•  visual analysis as methodological innovation in media studies

Required qualifications and terms

Successful applicants must have

• Completed a MA degree in journalism, media and communication, alternatively MAs within the humanities or the social sciences (120 credits). The candidate must hold a B or better on the master`s thesis and an average grade B og better on the master`s degree. In special cases MA degrees of 90 credits can also be assessed.
• Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• Good analytic skills.
• Capacity for independent, planned and result orientated work.
• Good cooperative skills
• Professional engagement
• English proficiency, both oral and verbal.

Desired qualifications

• Relevant experience within research and development
• Relevant experience with visual communication
• Ability to be innovative and creative

See program schedule for further information om when 90 credits/ECTS can be accepted.

Admission to the faculty PhD-program is a condition for accession to this fellowship position. A final plan for a phd-education is to be approved and agreed upon – at the latest - three months after accession. 

Applicants must prepare a project description according to the template found here.

The application must include the following items, which are to be submitted before the deadline (all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language). Translations must be authorized.

• A research proposal in English (maximum 10 pages including references). The proposal should clarify the research theme, main research questions, how the research contributes to existing literature and the project, theoretical approach, methodology, and a timeline.
• A CV summarising education, positions, research and pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities
• Copy of Master’s thesis
• Copies of transcripts: All applicants must submit their Master’s degree diploma and transcript(s). The transcript must specify the grade achieved for the Master’s thesis
• Official explanation of the grading and credit system at your university (foreign applicants)
• Names and contact details for 2-3 reference persons (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Reference letters are not needed

The application will be assessed by an expert committee. In the assessment of applicants, particular emphasis will be placed on basic qualifications (grades, professional qualifications, and previous experience) and the submitted project description. The description must be at a professional level that makes it likely that the project will lead to a doctorate within a three-year period.

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.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

If we get more than 20 qualified applicants for the position, a committee will be established to screen out the most qualified applicants before an expert committee assesses the applicants.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional
• 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 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.

 Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

Other information

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

Head of department Anne Hege Simonsen, +47 67 23 83 22/+47 911 45 937

Professor Dagny Stuedahl, +47 67 23 84 37/+47 997 28 156

The position is paid in accordance with the Government´s salary regulations, position code 1017. State salary wage scale 54, 501 200 NOK per year.

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

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

Deadline for applications: 27.02.2023  

Ref.: 23/00153