Associate Professor in Quantitative Social Science

At the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS), there is a vacant 100% permanent position as Associate Professor in quantitative social science. The position is expected to play a key role in the further development of quantitatively oriented research at the Centre.

SPS is a leading research and doctoral training environment for the study of professions and is responsible for a PhD programme in the study of professions. The Centre is theoretically and methodologically diverse. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary environment with researchers and PhD candidates from sociology, education, history, philosophy, political science, social anthropology, health sciences, economics, and psychology. The Centre has also developed several research projects which utilize quantitative data, including register data from Statistics Norway (SSB).

Our strategic plan for 2025–2030 identifies three thematic priority areas:

• Inequality, exclusion, and inclusion

Professions can both counteract and reproduce social inequality. We study recruitment to professional education programmes, career trajectories, and professional practice with a focus on gender, social background, ethnicity, functional ability, and other factors. We also examine how professions influence the distribution of resources and services, and how professions can contribute to inclusion.

• Professions in the digital society

Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are transforming knowledge bases, work practices, and interaction. We examine how new technologies affect professional practice, professional education, ethical standards, and the relationship between expertise and the public. Topics include digital competence, technology implementation, and professional-ethical challenges.

• Knowledge production, expertise, and politics

The legitimacy of professions is based on the management and use of scientific knowledge. We study the interaction between research, policy, and practice, and how expertise is developed and challenged. Topics include trust in knowledge, the role of knowledge in governance, and developments within academic professions and higher education.

We seek an ambitious candidate who will strengthen our research and teaching within one or more of these areas. Candidates are expected to contribute mainly to the Centre’s research on inequality, exclusion, and inclusion, while the potential to also contribute to the other thematic priority areas is considered an advantage. The position requires very high competence in quantitative research methods and the ability to teach and supervise at PhD level. The successful candidate is expected to take an active role in developing high-quality national and international research projects and to demonstrate the ability for long-term project development in a competitive funding landscape.

Read more about the Centre for the Study of Professions.
Read more about our research groups.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be to

• develop and lead research projects at a high international level
• contribute to the Centre’s competence development in quantitative methods and stay up to date with developments in research design and new methodological approaches
• supervise and teach in the PhD programme
• disseminate research to relevant academic communities and the public
• maintain and develop the center's quantitative research data and research infrastructure in collaboration with project managers and users
• hold administrative roles and responsibilities
• participate actively in interdisciplinary collaboration and contribute to the strategic development of SPS

Qualification requirements

• a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. sociology, political science, economics, psychology), or equivalent competence documented through scholarly work
• very high competence in quantitative research methods
• publications relevant to SPS’s research areas
• educational competence in accordance with OsloMet’s guidelines. Applicants who cannot document basic university pedagogical competence must acquire this within two years of appointment. OsloMet offers a course in university pedagogy that fulfils the requirement.
• ability to supervise PhD candidates
• ability to develop competitive research proposals and lead projects
• ability to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and to build research environments and networks
• good written and oral communication skills in Norwegian/Swedish/Danish (minimum B2 level) and English (Language requirements for employees at OsloMet)

Applicants who at the time of appointment do not have sufficient skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish will be offered Norwegian language training and must, within three years of appointment, document Norwegian language proficiency at a minimum of B2 level.

General criteria for appointment to teaching and research positions are set out in the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on

• scientific production, with particular emphasis on publications from the last six years of research activity (statutory leave not included). Quality and relevance will be weighted more heavily than quantity.
• ability and interest in interdisciplinary collaboration
• ability to establish and lead externally funded projects
• potential for innovative research and for contributing to the Centre’s strategic development
• experience in teaching and supervision, preferably at master’s and PhD level
• strong pedagogical skills

Experience with the use of administrative registry data in research is an advantage, but not a requirement for the position.

Personal qualities

• initiative and flexibility
• good collaboration skills
• ability to motivate and inspire PhD candidates and colleagues

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

OsloMet will test candidates’ pedagogical qualifications in connection with interviews.

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

We offer

• participation in a strong interdisciplinary environment with ample time allocated for research
• membership in an active research group and shared academic seminars
• loan and pension schemes through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• good welfare schemes and a wide range of cultural and sports activities
• a workplace in central Oslo

The position is remunerated in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreements in the state sector and OsloMet’s salary policy, in position code 1011 Associate Professor, NOK 667,700–821,100 per year. For particularly qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered. A 2% pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) is deducted from the salary.

Application process and assessment committee

An expert assessment committee will evaluate the relevant applications. In the event of a large number of applicants, a screening committee may select the most qualified candidates. The screening committee’s assessments will be forwarded to the expert committee, which is free to override the screening and assess additional candidates. Incomplete applications and applicants who do not document formal qualifications will not be considered.

By the application deadline, you must upload the following documents:

• a cover letter, which should include a description of how your research and other experience are relevant to the position
• CV, certificates, and all pages of transcripts/diplomas. Foreign education should preferably be approved in advance, and the approval letter must be attached. Information is available via the link: Recognition of foreign education – working in Norway | HK-dir
• a complete list of publications
• up to 6 scholarly works, and an overview of these, including the doctoral dissertation if relevant
• a teaching portfolio documenting educational competence
• preferably contact information for two referees

Only applications submitted via our electronic recruitment system will be considered, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. Documents must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be certified, and you should be prepared to present originals at a possible interview. OsloMet conducts document verification to ensure that candidates receive a genuine evaluation and fair competition.

For relevant positions, OsloMet conducts background checks of applicants in cooperation with an external provider, to verify information provided in available documents. Background checks are always conducted with the candidate’s consent, and appointment to these positions is conditional upon an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information about this.

Additional information

For further information about the position, please contact:

• Centre Director Beate Elvebakk: +47 417 84 106, beate.elvebakk@oslomet.no
• Associate Professor Ida Drange: +47 920 10 342, ida.drange@oslomet.no

Application deadline: 2 March 2026
Reference: 26/00629