Postdoctor in Social Sciences

-
30th January 2026
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English
Join Nord University and help shape the future! We seek a postdoctoral researcher passionate about collaboration.
Postdoctor in Social Sciences
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About the position

Nord University, Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV), invites applications for a full-time (100 %) fixed-term position as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Social Sciences. This is a 3-year position. 

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic and active research team working at the intersection of Arctic/Ocean governance and policy. The successful candidate will contribute to Nord University's social science Arctic research initiative "Nord Arctic ". 

The position is based at our Bodø campus. Regular presence at the office during working hours is expected.

We are seeking a candidate who can start as soon as possible.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate should be interested in working with justice analyses and conceptual development, and ideally have a background in geography, political science, legal studies or a related social science discipline. The postdoctor will become part of the GEO-Security Research Group and will have both research and administrative responsibilities. Teaching, grading, or other tasks related to teaching may be required in the position, depending on the employee’s qualifications and the faculty’s needs.

The research will primarily focus on two recently funded projects: ICE BRIDGE and AUTO-MARE . The position will be primarily associated with the ICE BRIDGE research project, with some involvement in the AUTO-MARE project. ICE BRIDGE examines the biodiversity impacts of geoengineering in the Arctic Ocean and is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. AUTO-MARE explores technological development and governance of autonomous shipping and is funded by Nordforsk. The position may also involve participation in other research tasks or projects as needed by the team.

In addition to research, the postdoc will be expected to support administrative tasks within and beyond the projects. This could include arranging fieldwork logistics, workshops, or seminars, as well as assisting in coordinating funding proposals and producing communication materials.

After employment, the faculty will prepare a career development plan for the postdoctoral fellow, specifying the competencies to be acquired during the appointment. Nord University is responsible for ensuring that the career plan is followed up and that the postdoctoral fellow has access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral period.

If the appointed candidate does not have skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, Nord University will offer free Norwegian language training as an optional opportunity, with the goal of achieving at least this level of proficiency. 

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Qualification requirements and skills

Required:

• PhD in a social science discipline (e.g., political science, international relations, geography, legal studies, or another related field).
• Experience with or strong interest in research on Arctic governance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with high work capacity and a structured approach to complex and parallel processes.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload and strong organizational skills.

Desired:

• Service-oriented, proactive, and possessing strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork and conferences.
• Proficiency in Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language).
• Academic publications (appropriate to the position and career stage).
• Previous teaching experience.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Personal suitability
• The applicant`s motivation for applying for the position
• The statement of research interests that should be included with the application (see details below).
• Professional profile and the quality of publications and submitted written works
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English 

We offer

The position is compensated according to government regulations, code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow. Salary by agreement. 

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for loans, insurance and pension
• Creative and collegial working environment 
• A workplace with steady progressive development 
• Flexible working hours 
• Active university sports team 

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

Nord University is subject to the Security Act, which imposes requirements for handling protected and sensitive information. To enhance the security of the hiring process, Nord may conduct background checks on potential candidates.

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply. If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :

• Professor Corine Wood-Donnelly, email c.wood-donnelly@nord.no , phone +47 755 17 921 

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Short-listed applicants will be called for an interview.

The faculty notes that it reserves the right not to hire applicants who are scientifically qualified but do not meet other criteria such as personal qualities, language proficiency or relevant academic profile.

Application

Application should be submitted electronically by 30 January 2026.

Complete documentation in electronic form must be submitted by the closing date for applications.

The electronic application must contain: 

• Cover letter with a description of your motivation for applying for the position. Please also describe interests/fit with the projects and tasks.
• Complete CV summarizing education, positions held, teaching/research experience, publications, administrative experience and other qualifying activities.
• Copies of diplomas, transcripts and certificates.
• A two-page statement of research interests outlining your specific scientific interests, overarching research vision, and how you see this position contributing to your professional development. The statement should demonstrate alignment with the position’s responsibilities and the objectives of the GEO-Security Research Group. This is not intended to be a formal research proposal, but should characterize the applicant's scientific and professional ambitions. 
• Complete copies of up to 5 of the most relevant publications/academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered. The doctoral dissertation should be included.
• Contact details for 2-3 referees. 
• Other activities considered relevant to the position and desired to be taken into consideration during the assessment.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

Reference number: 30249771

Nord University

Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future.
In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally.
Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV) educates social scientists and professionals who meet society’s need for innovation in welfare, development and communication. The Faculty offers a PhD in Social Science. The Faculty of Social Sciences has 1,900 students and 200 employees.

The professional community is organised into the following five divisions: History, geography and international relations; Journalism and creative media; Social work; Organisation, leadership and working life; and Sociology, research methods and philosophy of science.

Read more: www.nord.no/fsv

Apply for this job
Deadline

30th January 2026

Employer

Nord University

Municipality

Bodø

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Universitetsalléen 11, 8026 Bodø

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