PhD fellowship position in Journalism and Media Studies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Journalism and Media Studies has a 3-year fixed-term position available as a Research fellow in journalism and media studies, which is a field of study under the PhD program in social sciences. The field of study currently has 8 scholarship holders.

Area of research

The scholarship holder is linked to the research group Media Narration Group (MNG), which investigates various forms of narratives in the media – media understood as journalism, general non-fiction and other media production, on all platforms.

The group analyzes how the narratives in the public media develop over time, and how they construct and reflect different ways of seeing reality.

MNG places particular emphasis on how different developments in society affect the media's texts (verbal, visual and aural), and vice versa. An important part of the group's work is to strengthen the discussion between researchers, practitioners of the media professions, and the general public.

The starting point for the call is that narratives in journalism and non-fiction must be based on truthful knowledge. Within the field of journalism and non-fiction, there is a so-called reality contract between sender and receiver that cannot be found in fiction. Furthermore, research and specialist material form a significant part of the basic material both for journalists, non-fiction writers and other media producers. At the same time, narrative is widely used and popular on all platforms - both as an element of texts and as the texts' main form.

But what happens to the reality contract as journalism and non-fiction texts take on a narrative character - whether in the form of historical accounts, documentary, news, reportage or debate texts about contemporary conditions, or research-based representations of the future (based on predictions)?

A classic discussion in historical studies, which is relevant to all non-fiction, is the extent to which the sender constructs her own reality through the combination of means such as source selection, language use and dramaturgy, etc., which are  applied in narrative presentation.

The Media Narration Group investigates and describes, particularly through textual analysis and interview/observation, how text producers carry out this business, and how they reflect on it.

Main duties of the position

The PhD project must be designed and carried out in a way that contributes significantly to the Media Narration Group of which the successful candidate will be a part. Applicants must prepare a project outline with:

• an independent problem statement
• research questions
• indication of method

We welcome all projects relevant to the themes and questions that the research group emphasize, but we are particularly interested in project descriptions that contribute to new knowledge and understanding on one or more of the following points:

• develop methods, concepts and empirical knowledge that contribute to enhanced insight into the role academic and research material plays in journalism narratives and/or other narrative non-fiction and media production.
• develop concepts and methods for how journalists and non-fiction writers can critically assess the knowledge that research/expert sources draw on in order to describe various events and happenings in the past and present - and to calculate and outline scenarios in the future.
• create a knowledge-based ethical framework for source evaluation in journalistic narratives /non-fiction

Qualification requirements

completed a MA degree in journalism, media and communication or other relevant MA degrees (120 ECTS). The candidate must hold a B or better on the master`s thesis and an average grade B or better on the master`s degree. In special cases MA degrees of 90 credits can also be assessed education taken abroad should preferably be recognized in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed

• good analytic skills
• capacity for independent, planned and goal orientated work
• good cooperative skills
• professional engagement
• english proficiency, both oral and verbal

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

Admission to PhD-program is a condition for acceptance 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

Desired qualifications

• relevant experience within research and development
• relevant experience with qualitative research methods

Project outline

The project outline must be a maximum of 10 pages and must contain:

• problem statement, theoretical grounding and methodological approach
• description of knowledge needs and the dissertation's contribution to research in the field
• plan for completing the doctoral study, including timetable and which articles are planned
• any planned stay at a relevant foreign university
• reference list

Applicants must prepare a project outline according to a template available here

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.

Expert evaluation

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

• cv, certificates, reference letters and 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
• project description written in Scandinavian language or English (max. 10 pages incl. reference list) master thesis
• scientific work
• list of possible publications and presentations at international seminars / conferences

You must upload all of these documents. Certificates and publications must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized.

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.

The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.

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 development
• beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses
• workplace in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

It is important for 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 make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

Other information

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

• Head of Department, Anne Hege Simonsen, tlf. +47 67 23 83 22/+47 91 14 59 37, email: anne.hege.simonsen@oslomet.no
• Professor Birgitte Kjos Fonn, tlf. +47 67 23 83 37/+47 90 66 21 38, email: birgitte-kjos.fonn@oslomet.no
• Professor Harald Hornmoen, tlf. +47 67 23 83 28/+47 97 98 64 34, email: harald.hornmoen@oslomet.no

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, Ph.D. fellow, position code 1017.  State salary wage scale 54, 501.200 NOK per year.

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. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to OsloMet.

OsloMet has adhered to the principles in the DORA declaration (sfdora.org/read/) and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration.

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications: 27.02.2023

Ref.:23/00086