Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway's largest independent comprehensive university college, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on leadership, voice, and communication in equestrian sport. The position is based at the School of Communication, Leadership and Marketing, which is renowned for its practice-oriented programs and active research groups. The PhD project, titled "Speaking for the Horse: Participant Voice and Equestrian Wellbeing (EQUIP)," is funded by the Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research and involves collaboration with the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

The research will explore the relationship between voice behavior, organizational processes, and equine welfare in Scandinavian equestrian sports from 2026 to 2029. The goal is to generate new knowledge on fostering a culture of openness in equestrian sports to improve animal welfare and examine the sport’s social license to operate. The successful candidate will design an independent project related to how leaders in Scandinavian equestrian sports address issues of animal welfare, stakeholder communication, democratic governance, and ethical leadership responsibility. Applicants should have a professional interest in organizational development, leadership practice, communication skills, and sport management.

The PhD candidate will conduct original research, engage in critical literature review and synthesis, develop theoretical frameworks, collect and analyze data, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present at academic conferences. The candidate will also contribute to the Workplace, Inclusion and Diversity (WID) research group. The position offers a high salary (NOK 550,800 per year), equipment, NOK 50,000 per year for conference travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, and strong labor laws including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days.

Eligibility requires a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant social scientific discipline (leadership/management, communication, organization theory) with a grade B or better, a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS, and a relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Personal qualities such as curiosity, motivation for independent interdisciplinary research, communication and cooperation skills, and systematic work habits are valued. All educational credentials will be verified, and background checks are conducted.

Applicants must submit a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts (in Scandinavian or English), CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, written in English) outlining their intended PhD research. Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The earliest start date is 01.09.2026, and the application deadline is 02.03.2026. Only applications received through the university's application portal will be considered. For more information, visit Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and PhD in Communication and Leadership.

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and persons with minority backgrounds. The school is located in Oslo, offering numerous amenities and urban experiences. For further details, contact Professors Nigel Halpern ([email protected]) and Hans Erik Næss ([email protected]).