PhD Candidate – Climate Change in Media and Public Perception

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PhD Candidate – Climate Change in Media and Public Perception

The Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) at the University of Bergen (UiB) is announcing a PhD position on climate change in the media and in public perception.  

CET is an interdisciplinary research centre that aims to produce actionable knowledge about how to achieve deep, rapid and sustainable transformation of society to meet the climate challenge. To strengthen CET’s research in media studies, we are now recruiting a PhD candidate for a period of three years.

About the project/work tasks

The PhD candidate will be supervised by, and work closely with, Associate Professor Dr. Silje Kristiansen, on research connected to climate change in the media and in public perception. Projects can focus on either media or public perception, or a combination of the two. Projects should focus on a Norwegian, Nordic, or international comparative perspective (including Norway) media context. Specific topics of relevance could address media and stakeholder communication and public perceptions concerning the environment, food, risk, science, behavioral and lifestyle change, and health.

The PhD candidate is expected to develop a research project fulfilling the requirements of a PhD in close collaboration with Dr. Kristiansen in the early phase of the fellowship. At the application stage, candidates are asked to submit a letter of motivation, which describes how the candidate’s relevant competence and how this competence matches the research focus described above. The PhD candidate will have their/her/his workplace at CET and is expected to contribute to making CET a dynamic and productive academic environment.

Qualifications and personal qualities

  • A Master’s degree or the equivalent within social science. The requirements are generally grade B or better on Master thesis and for the master’s degree in total.
  • Competence and experience relevant to conduct the proposed research, e.g., media content analysis, survey and interview design, statistical analysis, quantitative and or qualitative methods.
  • An interest in interdisciplinary research, and a demonstrated ability to work with other people.
  • Proficiency in both written and oral English. Norwegian or Scandinavian language proficiency is a requirement.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

About the PhD training

As a PhD research fellow, you will take part in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiB. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the PhD degree. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission. 

We can offer

  • Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
  • Salary: NOK 501 200,- (code 1017, pay grade 54 in the state salary scale). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position 
  • Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • Good welfare benefits

    Your application must include

    • A cover letter including a brief account of the candidate’s competence and motivation.
    • A letter of motivation (1500 – 2000 words) describing the relevant competence of the candidate, and how this competence matches up the research focus of the position. This should include both theoretical and methodological competence, as well as a suggested and tentative topic of research.
    • The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of them should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis.
    • CV, including publications (if any) and presentations at peer-reviewed academic conferences (if any).
    • Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and relevant certificates/references.
    • Academic publications that the candidate wants to submit for assessment, including the candidate’s master’s thesis or equivalent.

    Candidates with a master’s degree from an institution outside of the Nordic countries, or a 2-year discipline- based master’s degree (or the equivalent) in a subject area other than the one associated with the application, may later in the application process be asked to submit an overview of the syllabus for the degree that has been completed.

    The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge following the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”. 

    Closing date: February 1, 2023. The application has to be marked: 22/18102 

    Applications submitted without a motivation letter or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment. 

    General information

    Additional information about the position is obtainable by contacting Associate Professor Silje Kristiansen, silje.kristiansen@uib.no.

    Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to Adviser – HR, Bodil Hægland, bodil.hagland@uib.no.  

    Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Questions about the programme may be directed to Adviser-PhD:  Hanne.Gravermoen@uib.no.  

    The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.  

    The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

    Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

    The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

    For further information about the recruitment process, click here.