PhD position in Political Science

PhD position in Political Science

University of Bergen, Norway

Job Type: FullTime Deadline: 07 Jun 2026
28 Apr 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company
University of Bergen
Department
Department of Government
Research Field
Political sciences
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions
PhD Positions
Application Deadline
7 Jun 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)
Country
Norway
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
37,5
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.

 

PhD position in political science

The Department of Government is seeking a PhD research fellow in political science. The position is a fixed-term appointment for a period of four years, of which 25% of the total employment period consists of career-promoting work to be carried out at the Department.

The Department has a political science profile and emphasizes studies of public policy, organization and administration, democracy and participation, policymaking, and political institutions at the local, national, and international levels. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Department’s teaching portfolio and research profile.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in political science, public administration, or an equivalent discipline. The degree must be completed by the application deadline. Master’s students may apply provided that their Master’s thesis has been submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. It is a prerequisite that the Master’s degree has been awarded prior to appointment.
• As a general rule, applicants must have achieved a grade of B or better, both for the Master’s thesis and for the overall Master’s degree.
• The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently, have a high work capacity, and strong enthusiasm for research.
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is considered an advantage.
• Applicants must also have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

 Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

Personal qualities will be given weight in the assessment.

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

About the PhD position:

The PhD project must be independent and situated within a relevant and contemporary area of political science.It should present a clearly defined research topic and a specific research question. Where relevant, applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred supervisor at the Department.

The total duration of the PhD research fellowship is four years, including 25% career-promoting work related to research, teaching, and dissemination. If the applicant has previously held a recruitment position, deductions may be made from the appointment period.

The successful candidate is expected to reside and work in the Bergen area during the project period and to participate actively in the academic community at the Department.

About the PhD programme:

As a PhD research fellow, you will participate in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bergen. The programme has a nominal duration of three years and leads to the award of a PhD degree.

Admission requires a completed Master’s degree. The Master’s programme must normally comprise 120 ECTS credits and be based on a Bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits (normally 3+2 years), or an integrated Master’s degree of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). The Master’s degree must normally include an independent thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. The Master’s degree should normally be within the academic field for which admission is sought.

We can offer:

• A stimulating and challenging position within a strong academic environment.
• Gross annual salary as a PhD research fellow (code 1017): NOK 568 700, - upon appointment, with automatic annual salary increases of 3% for up to four years.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits .

Your application must include:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• A concise project proposal (maximum 3,000 words, excluding references). The proposal must describe the topic, research question(s), and the chosen theoretical framework and methodology, and include a progress plan for the various stages of the project. Upon appointment, a revised version of the proposal will form the basis for admission to the PhD programme. The Faculty has prepared a guide for writing project proposals .
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, or documentation confirming that the Master’s thesis has been submitted.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• Relevant certificates.
• The names and contact details of two referees; one of these should preferably be the main supervisor of the Master’s thesis or an equivalent project.
• A list of scientific publications (if applicable).
• Copies of any publications.

Applicants holding a Master’s degree from a foreign institution, or a two-year discipline-based Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a field other than political science, may be required to submit an overview of the syllabus for the completed Master’s degree.

The application and attachments, including certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language, must be submitted via Jobbnorge. Applications submitted by email, or applications that do not include a project proposal, will not be considered. Only documentation submitted within the application system will be taken into account.

Application deadline:7 June 2026

General information:

Further information about the position may be obtained from Head of Department, Anne Lise Fimreite;  tel. +47 555 83 298. 

Practical questions regarding the application process may be directed to HR adviser Gudrun Horvei, .

The successful candidate will be admitted to the Faculty's PhD programme . Questions related to the PhD programme may be directed to Adviser Elina Troscenko.  

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

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.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here .

 

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

Where to apply
Website https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/300220/
Requirements
Research FieldPolitical sciencesEducation LevelMaster Degree or equivalent
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available1Company/InstituteDepartment of GovernmentCountryNorwayGeofield

Contact
City
Bergen
Website
https://www.uib.no/en/charterandcode
Street
Muséplassen 2

Fully Funded Partially Funded Master PhD PhD Position Research Assistant