Postdoctoral Researcher in Law at University of Oslo

Overview

Two year position as a postdoctoral researcher in the field of women’s rights and equality is available at the University of Oslo, Department of Public and International Law.

Job description

The position is part of the project Human rights and gender dimensions of water governance in Africa: Actors, norms and institutions which is funded by the Norwegian Research Council’s NORGLOBAL program on Women’s rights and gender equality in devevelopment. The overall aim of this programme is to increase the basic knowledge within the field of women’s rights and gender equality in development.

The project is organised within the research group Rights, Individuals, Culture and Society

The primary aim of the project is to lay an empirical and legal foundation for appropriate frameworks and strategies for inclusion of the human rights and gender equality dimension in water governance with emphasis on women’s rights as users and decision makers. The secondary objective is to translate these interrelated dimensions of a rights based approach for water governance into strategies that are nationally and locally appropriate in each of the four country studies, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The postdoctoral researcher will carry out research on the international and regional African law and policy frameworks that are relevant for the wide range of governance structures that have a bearing on women’s right to access and participation, such as national and local government, international donor agencies, international and national NGO’s and economic institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of a team of Norwegian, Kenyan, Malawian and South African researchers and will have her or his workplace at the Department of Public and International Law.

The post doctoral researcher is expected to participate in regional workshops in Africa and disseminate research results in a book edited by the principal researchers in the project and international refereed journals.

Qualifications and Personal Skills

Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to Norwegian PhD/doctoral degree in law.

Experience with international human rights law related to the rights of women and gender equality and the right to livelihood (land, food, water, housing) is required.

The project language is English, and the applicants must therefore have a good command of the English language, written and spoken.

The main purpose of postdoctoral fellowships in general is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions.

We offer

A challenging and friendly working environment
Salary based on salary level 57-65 (448 200-519 500 NOK per year)
Favorable pension arrangement
Attractive welfare arrangements

Submissions

The applicants are requested to write a research proposal (maximum 5 pages) indicating how they plan to structure the proposed research into the overall project plan (see further information below). For this purpose, the complete project description will be sent to all potential applicants who declare their interest by contacting the project leader Professor Anne Hellum.

The applicant must submit:

An application.
A research proposal (project desription): maximum 5 pages, in English, which gives an account of how this research will contribute to the project, including planned publications and a progress plan for the work
Curriculum vitae: maximum 2 pages in English containing information about education, previous positions and other qualifications.
A complete list of published and unpublished works. If a co-authored work is included, the applicant’s role must be documented with a co-author declaration.
Up to 3 previously published works if the applicant regards this as relevant, preferably delivered electronically (otherwise in 4 copies). The works must be in a Scandinavian language or English, unless otherwise agreed beforehand (subject to the approval of Vice-Dean Inger Johanne Sand).
Certified copies of grades and transcripts, in the original language as well as an English translation. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.
Names and contact details for at least two references.
Proficiency in English is required for non-native speakers, as the work will be conducted in English. Applicants who are not native speakers of English must document their proficiency in English.

Other information

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting more women in academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply.

The University of Oslo also has a goal of recruiting ethnic minorities to Norway in academic positions. Ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

It is a requirement that the applicant will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of appointment. Personal suitability and co-operation skills will receive special attention in the selection process.

Short-listed applicant may be invited for an interview at the University of Oslo.