About the position
One full-time (100%) position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Social Sciences as a PhD Research Fellow in Digital Sociology/Sociology of Artificial Intelligence, affiliated with the Department of Sociology and Social Work and the Center for Digital Transformation (CeDIT), for a period of three years, or four years with 25 % required teaching duties.
The position is located at Campus Kristiansand in southern Norway.
The Faculty of Social Sciences consists of four departments: the Department of Global Development and Planning, the Department of Information Systems, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Sociology and Social Work. For more information about the faculty, read more here.
The Department of Sociology and Social Work (ISS) offers studies in sociology, social work, and child welfare at the bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels. In addition, it contributes to teaching in teacher training programs. The department is continuously growing, with an increasing focus on internationalization and the development of research projects and teaching; read more here.
Responsibilities
The position is connected to the broad subject area of Digital Sociology and/or the Sociology of Artificial Intelligence, and we are looking for candidates wishing to conduct research on sociological topics within this area. Relevant thematic areas may include but are not limited to the sociology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, digital sociology, AI and the sociology of knowledge, AI and expertise, and digitalization and criminology (digital criminology).
A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is admissible to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and that the Department of Sociology and Social Work or CeDIT currently has a thematically relevant advisor available to supervise the doctoral project.
Required qualifications
- A master’s degree of 120 ECTS credits, with an average grade of B or higher, in Sociology or a related field in the social sciences, such as Anthropology, Criminology, Communication Studies, Human Geography, Social Work, or similar. The master’s thesis must also have been awarded a grade of B or higher.
- An original, academically outstanding project proposal that can make an independent contribution to the research literature and the field of Sociology
- Strong analytical skills
- Good knowledge of English, both written and oral
The master’s thesis must be submitted for assessment by the application deadline, and the master’s degree must be approved no later than 4 weeks after the application deadline.
Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.
Desired qualifications
- knowledge of and interest in Digital Sociology and/or the Sociology of Artificial Intelligence
- experience conducting scientific/academic research, completing academic projects, and writing and publishing academic texts
- teaching experience in a university context (such as giving lectures or holding seminars)
- good pedagogical skills
- ability to communicate in Norwegian and/or a Scandinavian language
The working language at the University of Agder is Norwegian and most of the teaching in the Department of Sociology and Social Work is in Norwegian. Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, both written and spoken, is therefore a desirable, but not necessary, qualification.
Any scientific publications will be given weight in the assessment of the application. If applicants have published any work previously, they are invited to enclose a maximum of two such works as well as a complete list of relevant publications.
Personal qualities
- strong commitment to academic originality and rigor
- good communication skills (both written and oral)
- an interest in teaching
- proactive, flexible and open to new ideas
- result-oriented
- motivation to contribute to a good academic and social work environment.
- experience with and ability to work both independently and as part of an international, multidisciplinary team
Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasized.
We offer
- professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organization
- a positive, inclusive, open-minded and diverse working environment
- modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers including voluntary language courses in Norwegian
- membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 555 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
More about working at UiA.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected.
Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this job announcement, the Norwegian version takes precedence.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link “Apply for this job.”
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
- BA and MA diplomas with grade transcripts
- Master’s thesis
- References (contact details, including phone number and e-mail, of two people)
- A maximum of two academic publications (articles or book chapters), as a complete list of academic publications and research projects
- Project description with a maximum length of 10 pages, including:
- a description of research topic and question(s)
- discussion of relevant theory and empirical materials/data
- description of planned methods
- progress plan
- references/bibliography
The quality of the project description and the feasibility of the proposed project will be given great weight in the assessment of applications and ranking of applicants.
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
Application deadline: 15.09.2025
Contact
For questions about the position:
- Alexander Ruser, Director of Centre for Digital Transformation (CeDIT) and Professor, tel. (+47) 38141529, e-mail [email protected]
- Amanda Machin, Department PhD Coordinator and Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, tel. (+47) 92041229, e-mail [email protected]
- Victor Lund Shammas, Head of Department, Department of Sociology and Social Work, tel. (+47) 38141718, e-mail [email protected]
For questions about the application process:
- Lars Solheim, Advisor, Faculty of Social Sciences tel. (+47) 38142619, E-Mail [email protected]
- Eirik Rustad, Administrative Coordinator of CeDiT, Faculty of Social Sciences, tel. +47 38141313, E-Mail [email protected]
