PhD Research Fellow in Social Science – Flexibility in Working Life

Nord University’s Faculty of Social Sciences is offering 1-2 full-time PhD Research Fellow positions focused on Flexibility in Working Life. These positions are affiliated with the Research group for Society, Organization, Leadership, and Working life (SOLA) and are linked to the Governance and Democracy in Transition specialization within the PhD programme. The research theme centers on the increasing flexibilization of working life, including flexible working time arrangements, work organization, and employment forms. Candidates are invited to develop a PhD project addressing topics such as negotiations about time between managers and employees, management strategies for synchronizing time allocation, challenges from new time management forms, and implications for personnel policies, including inclusion and exclusion mechanisms. The position is based in Bodø or Levanger, Norway, with physical presence expected during working hours. The appointment period is typically three years without teaching duties, but a four-year period with 25% teaching or research-related duties may be considered. The university offers a creative and collegial work environment, flexible working hours, and active sports teams. Salary is set according to the Norwegian government’s pay scale (currently NOK 550,800 per year), with statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and excellent loan, insurance, and pension schemes. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in a relevant social science discipline and/or history. Degrees in the humanities or other relevant fields may be considered individually. Solid knowledge of relevant social science theories and methods is required. Admission to the faculty’s PhD programme is a prerequisite, with a typical grade requirement of a B average in the master’s degree. Strong English skills, both written and oral, are required; applicants from outside the Nordic countries may need to provide documentation. The dissertation may be written in English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). A final project proposal must be approved within three months of employment. Candidates who already hold a PhD are not eligible. Applications must be submitted electronically by January 20, 2026. Required documents include a project proposal (5-7 pages), cover letter, CV, diplomas and transcripts, documentation of PhD admission requirements, digital version or link to master’s thesis, and contact information for 2-3 references. All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, and the faculty reserves the right not to appoint candidates for whom adequate supervision cannot be provided. For further information, contact Associate Professor Anne Kamilla Lund ([email protected]), Professor Hege Eggen Børve ([email protected]), or Professor Frank Jacob ([email protected]). Administrative questions can be directed to Senior Advisor Anneli M. Watterud ([email protected]). Read more about the Faculty of Social Sciences at www.nord.no/fsv .