PhD Position in Long-term Climate Governance OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway

OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University is inviting applications for a temporary PhD position in long-term climate governance within Oslo Business School and the academic unit Public Administration and Governance. The position is linked to the ERC-funded research project CAMELOT – Capacities for More Effective Long-term Climate Governance, led by Associate Professor Manjana Milkoreit. The appointment is expected to begin in April 2027.

The PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary and international environment focused on climate governance, public policy, futures research, and the social sciences. The project examines how individuals, groups, and institutions can better think and act for the long term in the context of climate change and Earth system risks. CAMELOT combines theory development with experimental and participatory research and brings together perspectives from political science, public administration, environmental governance, sustainability science, futures studies, psychology, and related fields.

The doctoral project should be independent, theoretically informed, empirically grounded, and based on original research designed and conducted by the candidate. Applicants are encouraged to propose their own research questions, provided they clearly connect to CAMELOT's broader agenda on long-term governance capacities. Potential topics include narratives and stories about climate futures, differences in engagement across audiences and contexts, foresight and scenario-based interventions, serious games or simulations, educational or professional interventions, and whether changes in governance capacities lead to changes in reasoning, decision-making, or action. A range of methods may be used, including qualitative, quantitative, experimental, and mixed-methods approaches.

The position is offered as a three-year full-time PhD fellowship with the possibility of extension to four years if teaching duties are included. The salary follows OsloMet's pay policy for PhD candidates and is stated as NOK 550,800 per year, with standard pension deductions applying. The successful candidate will be enrolled in OsloMet's PhD programme in Social Sciences, specialization Business Administration, Innovation and Governance (BIG), and is expected to complete the doctoral degree during the employment period.

Eligibility requirements include a master's degree of 120 ECTS or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as political science, public administration, environmental governance, sustainability science, sociology, psychology, futures studies, science and technology studies, or human geography. Candidates must have a grade of B or better on both the master's thesis and the overall master's degree, strong analytical and academic writing skills, excellent written and spoken English, and relevant research-methods competence. Applicants who are close to completing their master's degree may apply if the degree is completed before the start date.

The application must be submitted through OsloMet's electronic recruitment system by the stated deadline. Required documents include an application letter, a project proposal of up to five pages, a CV, degree certificates and transcripts, a copy of the master's thesis, up to two published academic works, and the names and contact details of two referees. Only complete applications uploaded in English or a Scandinavian language will be considered.

For questions about the position, applicants may contact Siri Brorstad Borlaug or Manjana Milkoreit at OsloMet.