PhD Fellow in Philosophy 

The position

A PhD position in Philosophy is available at the Department of Philosophy and First Semester Studies (IFF), Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (HSL). 

The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. 

 

The PhD fellow position is for a period of three years and full time studies with the possibility of an extension of the appointment period. If the doctoral dissertation is submitted for appraisal within 3 years or within 3.5 years, the PhD candidate is qualified for a completion grant for either 12 or 6 months. The completion grant should be used to to gain further qualifications (and experience), such as courses in teaching in higher education, lecturing and other relevant work at the faculty. More information about the completion grant scheme can be found here.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

All PhD Fellows must undergo a midway evaluation approximately halfway through the three-year period. The purpose is to assess progress, academic quality, and feasibility. If the evaluation reveals a significant lack of progress and the candidate does not meet the requirements of the research training, it may result in termination of the employment before the original end date.

 

About the Department of Philosophy and First Semester Studies

The Department has an engaged academic environment with broad expertise in both practical and theoretical philosophy, and active research networks in ethics, political philosophy, environmental philosophy, and feminist philosophy. These interests come together in our research group Philosophy for Modern Times (PhilMod), which organizes a range of regular activities throughout the year, such as research seminars, work-in-progress seminars, conferences, workshops, various reading groups, and visits from guest researchers. The postholder will be a member of PhilMod and will be encouraged to engage in all its research activities.

 

Our colleagues contribute both to fundamental research and public debate, and we have a strong presence in national and international networks. The Department of Philosophy also administers the Centre for Women’s and Gender Research.

 

The Department offers education in philosophy at all levels from a one-year programme, Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees up to PhD level. It is also involved in several interdisciplinary teaching programs and other PhD programme across the university.

 

As a PhD Fellow with us, you will become part of an inclusive and intellectually stimulating research environment with excellent opportunities for academic development and international collaboration. We value open dialogue, collegial support, and curiosity in addressing complex questions. Our staff and PhD candidates benefit from a strong culture that supports supervision, mobility, and research dissemination. We aim to facilitate the development of each candidate’s academic profile in line with their individual goals and the Department’s strategic priorities

 

The project / The position’s field of research

Despite increasingly concerning warnings from the IPCC, action on climate change lags far behind that which is needed to avoid dangerous climate change. One common explanation for this is self-interest: both at the state and the individual level. Many states say it is against their self-interest to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, especially if there is the possibility of others free-riding. The same argument can apply to individual persons and perhaps be amplified: most persons who are currently being asked to cut their emissions will not be alive when the benefits of reduced climate change become apparent.

How can we respond to this clash between self-interest and what is widely regarded as a demand of either justice, or morality, namely, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? This question can be investigated in various ways: for example, with an emphasis on metaethics, ethics or political philosophy.

 

Possible research questions include:

• Is there a genuine conflict between self-interest and morality? If so, how can the two be reconciled?
• Can self-interest legitimately constrain climate action?
• How much can a single state or individual reasonably be expected to do about climate change?
• Do states have moral reasons? If so, how do they compare with their non-moral, especially, self-interested reasons and how can this affect their climate policies?
• How should we respond if others fail to do what they ought? Should we accept “second best” solutions, such as paying for others’ emissions cuts, or developing technological measures. Or is doing so nothing more than capitulation?

 

Applicants are invited to submit projects within contemporary ethics, metaethics, and political philosophy. Any tradition or approach is accepted and projects that emphasise marginalised perspectives are welcome. We are open to projects that are informed by relevant empirical research in the social and natural sciences, although the main theoretical framework should be within philosophy.

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project description shall not exceed 10 pages, literature references included. It must include a description of the topic, research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor. Template for project description can be found here.

 

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact the leader of the research group PhilMod Professor Clare Heyward: 

• phone: +47 77 62 51 47
• email: jennifer.c.heyward@uit.no 

 

or Head of Department Melina Duarte: 

• phone: +47 77 64 43 29 
• email: melina.duarte@uit.no 

Qualifications

Required qualifications: 

• A master’s degree or equivalent in philosophy with a grade average of B or better. Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.
• Documented proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.

 

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant’s potential to complete a research education based on the master’s thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. The project description will also be considered. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have the ability to communicate and interact well with colleagues and students
• Want to contribute to a good working environment

 

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

If the candidate does not document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2, then the doctoral fellow must complete a language course equal to 15 ECTS before the end of the fixed-term period. UiT will facilitate this.  

 

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education  and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

 

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS and a master’s degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS. 
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master’s degree of 120 ECTS. 
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS. 

 

All applicants should have a grade point average of B (or equivalent) on their master’s degree in order to be admitted to the PhD programme. The grade point average also applies to 300 ECTS points integrated five-year master’s degrees, in which all courses are to be included in the grade point average. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 2-year master’s degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

 

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

 

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 550 800 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

 

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

 

Application 

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Official transcripts of grades/academic record for bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at a minimum of level A2 (if available) 
• References with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
• Project description (max 10 pages)

 

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

 

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

 

Assessment 

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee’s mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants. 

 

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position. 

 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

 

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

 

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

 

Eallju – Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.