Doctoral Research Fellow (EXPIRED)

Job description
A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in philosophy is available at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo.

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project The Kantian Foundations of Democracy, 324272 - FORSKER21. The candidate is expected to present a research project closely connected to the main project.

Kantian Foundations of Democracy aims to provide the first large-scale analysis of the theory of democracy of the neglected "Kantian School". These were philosophers active in Germany in the 1790s, and included Erhard, Maimon, Heydenreich, Bergk, Reinhold, Tieftrunk, Feuerbach, Jakob, Reimarus, Schlegel, and the early Fichte. Their theories are notable for bringing out fully the Kantian concepts of right, equality, autonomy, and popular sovereignty; for their sophisticated analysis of enlightenment in the public sphere, and their support for popular revolutionary movements. The aim is not just to gain new historical knowledge, but to contribute to improving our understanding of Kant's basic principles, as well as those of democracy more broadly.

More about the position
The successful candidate will examine either Kantian principles of right and their connection to political rights (Task 1), Kantian principles of popular sovereignty (Task 2), or Kantian views of reform and popular revolution (Task 3). Projects may engage with all four crosscutting questions of Kantian Foundations of Democracy (please see project description). Projects may focus more narrowly on one or two of the Kantians, provided that the project relates to the overall topic of the project.

The research will apply methodology from the field of philosophy, and it can be combined with methodology from political theory, legal theory, and intellectual history. An interdisciplinary background in the above-mentioned fields is an advantage.

The successful candidates are expected to be based in Oslo during the project period, starting 1. August 2022. They will actively collaborate with the project’s team, and participate in the Practical Philosophy Group and other relevant departmental activities.

The person appointed will be affiliated with the Faculty's organized research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. The thesis can consist of one continuous work or several smaller works. A thesis based on several smaller works or articles shall normally consist of at least 3 works, as well as an introductory chapter/’kappe’.

The successful candidate is expected to join the existing research milieu or network and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree.

The appointment is for a duration of 3 years. All PhD Candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment with a written recommendation from their supervisor within 3 years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position, will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6 month Completion Grant.

Qualification requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent in philosophy Master’s degrees in other disciplines like political theory, legal theory, intellectual history, or other areas may be considered if relevant for the proposed project. The Master's degree must have been obtained and the final evaluation must be available by the application deadline
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English, see Language requirements. German language skills must be sufficient for analysing philosophical literature
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Oslo, applicants must, as a minimum, have completed a five-year graduation course (Master’s degree or equivalent), including a Master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS. In special cases, the Faculty may grant admission on the basis of a one-year Master course following an assessment of the study programme’s scope and quality.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• The project's scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete research training
• Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities

Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.

We offer
Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications
A professionally stimulating working environment
Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
• Transcript of records of your Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university's grading system
• Documentation of Language requirements (if applicable)
• Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3 - 5 pages, maximum 14,000 characters. See Template for project descriptions)

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Educational certificates, master theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works later.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Formal regulations
See also regulations as well as guidelines for the application assessment process and appointments to research fellowships.

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For questions about the position: Professor and Project Leader Reidar Maliks 

For questions about the application process and how to apply: HR Officer Anders Rykke