Chris Horbel

PhD opportunity in Sport Management at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) . The project is centered on understanding what kinds of organized sport offerings are available for adults in the Scandinavian context , how these offerings are organized, and how they can be strengthened or built upon to support social inclusion , belonging , and efforts to combat loneliness . The call is intentionally broad and welcomes a wide range of proposals, with the main geographic emphasis on Scandinavia and room for international comparisons . This makes it a strong fit for applicants interested in sport policy, community sport, participation, inclusion, and the social role of organized sport. Supervising team: Professor Chris Horbel (main supervisor) and Associate Professor Bieke Gils (co-supervisor). Institution: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Norway. Deadline: 3 August 2026. Applicants should review the official Jobbnorge posting for the full call, proposal expectations, and submission instructions.

The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) is advertising a three-to-four-year PhD position in Sport Management within the Department of Sport and Social Sciences. The project sits in a broad research environment covering sports philosophy, sports history, sports sociology, sports psychology, coaching, and sport management . The advertised PhD topic is centered on how organized sport can contribute to increased physical activity among adults , with particular attention to the Norwegian/Scandinavian context. The candidate will have considerable freedom to shape the project within the overall thematic framework. Possible directions include organizational structures and practices in sport clubs, governance and policy, communication, marketing, collaboration between sport organizations and external actors, and participation patterns among adults, older adults, retirees, or young adults. The post also highlights broader social issues such as inclusion, community building, integration of immigrants, loneliness, and mental health. This is a PhD research fellow position , not a scholarship. The appointment lasts three to four years depending on teaching duties. Salary starts at NOK 550,800 gross per year , with standard public-sector pension, loan, and insurance arrangements. Eligibility highlights: applicants must be qualified for a PhD candidate position at NIH and hold a completed Master’s degree in sport management or a closely related field, with minimum grade B or international equivalent. Strong English writing and speaking skills are required; experience with relevant research is an advantage; Scandinavian language skills strengthen the application. How to apply: submit a personal letter, CV, academic transcripts/certificates, a project description of up to 10 pages, and contact details for 2–3 referees. Applications must be submitted through NIH’s electronic recruiting system, and documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Deadline: 10 August 2026. Contact persons include Professor and Head of Department Lone Friis Thing and Professor Chris Horbel at NIH.