PhD candidate in sociology or political science affiliated with the research group “social inequality”

We are seeking a PhD candidate for an international research project on social inequality in adolescence and childhood with particular emphasis on the importance of the organization of childhood, school and related welfare systems.

At NTNU, Department of Sociology and Political Science (ISS), there is a position available as a research fellow in sociology or political science for a period of 3 years. The position is linked to the research group within social inequality at ISS, the Gemini center Oppink-Center for research on inclusion in school and upbringing  and the research group Organization and society .

The position may be subject to work obligations, and may be extended by up to one year. The position as a research fellow has completed doctoral education up to a doctorate as the goal.

Your immediate supervisor is the head of department.

The position is part of the project « Comparing the organization of durable inequalities in childhood: Inequality in childhoods, Schools and associated welfare systems (CODIC). The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway (NFR).

CODIC’s overall goal is to study how actors in and associated with the school, welfare and upbringing fields work and relate to social inequality and social inclusion of children and young people, as well as to study how gender, class, ethnicity and disability structure problem understanding, opportunity structures and social practice. The consequences of social segregation are studied through case studies of schools in high and low status areas, organizational studies, and in the management of social inclusion. The project has involved PhD candidates and postdocs from several academic environments in and outside Norway.

The PhD candidate in sociology or political science will be linked to one of three priority areas: 1. Analysis of similarities and differences in how the Nordic and North American cases are organizationally designed, and the emphasis on social inequality in legislation, policy programs and in practice. 2. Analysis of the actors’ understanding and response to persistent social inequality in the childhood population. 3. Mapping and analysis of social inequality in the childhood population, including key trends and developments in the Nordic and North American cases.

• The candidate will participate in the CODIC project and work together with the other participants with the goal of strengthening research on inclusion in school and childhood.
• The candidate will participate in planned exchanges between the institutes in the CODIC project to ensure collaboration with the other participants/partners in Norway and internationally.
• The position may be extended by up to one year and may include a work obligation. The candidate is expected to contribute to teaching within the department’s study program and the field of sociology or political science as part of this work obligation.

• You must have an academically relevant background in the social sciences, with a master’s degree preferably in sociology, political science, or another relevant field. 
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian study programme, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level.
• The applicant must have a strong academic background from their previous studies, and have an average grade in the last two years of the master’s degree programme or equivalent education (equivalent to 120 credits) that is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants without letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants with weaker grades may be considered if it is documented that the candidate is particularly suitable for a PhD programme. Candidates who are in the final phase of their master’s degree may apply and will be considered, but cannot be employed before they have completed their master’s degree. 
• Good language skills in English, written and spoken.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program
• Good quality of the project outline (max. 1,500 words) in relation to the information above “About the project” 
As a result of the new Higher Education Act and the associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has chosen to use the employment conditions in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 No. 102 on employment conditions for positions as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant and specialist candidate during a transitional period (for decisions on appointments in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025) . We also refer to the Regulations for the degrees of philosophiae doctor (PhD) and philosophiae doctor (PhD) in artistic research work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)   for general criteria for the position.

• Research-relevant experience of 1-2 years, such as publication and participation in research projects, is an advantage. 
• Good methodological expertise, both in quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Good language skills (oral and written) in Norwegian, Swedish or Finnish 

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), you should be able to: 
• work independently
• work in a structured manner, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• present and discuss your research with other professionals
• work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity 
• show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
analyze data, consider different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions 

When assessing the best qualified candidate, emphasis shall be placed on education, grades from the master’s degree, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation for the position.

• Exciting and developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• career guidance and follow-up during the doctoral period
• operating resources that can be used to carry out the project
• open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• favorable terms in the Government Pension Fund
• employee benefits and perks

Inclusion and diversity are strengths, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity of society and that uses the potential of the population’s collective competencies. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender balanced is crucial for us to achieve our goals together.  

We want employees with different competencies, subject combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better task solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. 

In the position of research fellow code 1017, you will normally be paid a gross salary of NOK 532,200 per year depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the Norwegian State Pension Fund will be deducted from your salary. 

The employment period is 3 years. The position may be subject to work obligations and may be extended for up to one year.

Appointment to a research fellowship position requires admission to a PhD program in social sciences , majoring in political science/sociology. As a research fellow, you commit to participating in an organized doctoral program within the employment period, and employment requires that you are actually qualified for admission to the PhD program within three months.

The employment will be carried out in accordance with the principles of the Government Employees Act , and legislation regulating the export of knowledge, technology and services. After employment, you must expect that there may be changes in the work area.

The position is conditional on external funding.

For necessary interaction academically and socially, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The application and description of the scientific work that will be used as the basis for the assessment must be in Norwegian/Scandinavian or English. 

Publications and other scholarly work that you wish to be considered for evaluation must accompany the application. Please note that applications will only be evaluated based on the information available at the application deadline. Therefore, please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application must contain:

• CV, certificates
• diplomas and transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed your master’s degree, you must submit confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
• copy of the master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• project outline or research plan
• publications or other relevant research work
• names and addresses of three relevant references

If all or part of your education was taken abroad, we ask that you also attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in addition to other higher education (for example, “diploma supplement”). A description of the documentation that is required can be found here . If you already have a statement from the HK-dir , it is a good idea to attach it as well.

We take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to the joint work, you must attach a brief account of your participation.

Applicants will be assessed based on (1) the quality and potential of the project outline, (2) the quality and relevance of the scientific output, and (3) potential contributions to the project, the research group, and the institute. 

When assessing the best qualified candidate, we will emphasize education, experience, and personal and interpersonal skills. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and research potential will also count when assessing candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – ​​DORA and the commitments in CoARA regarding responsible assessment and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions.

Working at NTNU

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adapt to changes that developments in the subject entail, and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

A public applicant list with name, age, job title and municipality of residence will be prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to reserve yourself from being included on the public applicant list, you must provide reasons for this. Assessment will be made in accordance with applicable legislation. You will be notified if your reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Håkon Leiulfsrud, email: hakon.leiulfsrud@ntnu.no If you have any questions about the hiring process, please contact Renate Lillian Johansen, email: renate.johansen@ntnu.no

The application and all attachments must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas. 

Application deadline: 10.03.2025