PhD: Research Fellow in social anthropology: Universal Health Coverage and the Public Good in Africa

University of Oslo

The fellowship period is 3 years. The successful candidate must take part in the approved PhD programme and is expected to complete the project within the set period. The main purpose of a PhD fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. In addition to following the required PhD courses, the PhD education includes one year of fieldwork in an African country.

The PhD candidate will be part of the UNIVERSAL HEALTH project and will be expected to work collaboratively with the project team, and to jointly organise workshops and conferences with other members of the team.

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 3 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program.

Supervisor is Dr Ruth Prince, UiO. The applicants must contact the main supervisor before applying for the position.

Qualification requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in anthropology or related social sciences and humanities disciplines. They must have reiceved their Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification, no later than 31 August 2018.
  • A high grade point average in their BA and Master's studies.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
  • Demonstrated research capabilities
  • Extensive knowledge of anthropology
  • Candidates with research experience in Sub-Saharan Africa will be given special consideration although this is not a requirement.

Personal skills

  • Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to a conducive environment for collaborative work.
  • The ability and willingness to do fieldwork under demanding circumstances and work across disciplines

We offer

  •  salary NOK 436 900 - 490 900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
  • academically stimulating working environment
  • opportunities to work in an interdisciplinary academic environment
  • funds for research, travel, conference participation and dissemination, books and equipment
  • attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to the attractions of a Scandinavian capital city with its rich opportunities for social, cultural and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

  • cover letter (statement of motivation and research interests)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work as well as pedagogical and adminisrtative experience, publications and other qualifying activities)
  • project description (for details see below)
  • copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  • a complete list of publications and academic works (if applicable)
  • Examples of 1-2 writing samples that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
  • Names and contact details of 2-3 academic referees (including relation to candidate, email and phone details)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

Project description: Please write a maximum of 5 A4 pages of 2500 characters per page (total 12.500 characters) and use the following structure in your proposal:

  • Introduction/background
  • Research questions and study objectives
  • Theory
  • Methodology (incl. ethics)
  • Work schedule

Please include a separate reference list with up-to-date literature on the chosen topic (max 2 A4 pages).

Evaluation of the application

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s project description for his/her proposed Ph.D. project, a good match between the candidate’s proposal and the wider research project of which it will be part, as well as the applicant’s educational qualifications and academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project.

Further information: Job announcement