Kristiania University College have a vacant Ph.D. candidate position in the field of sport management this fall. The Ph.D. candidate will take part in a collaborative project called SPORTRIGHTS. To rejuvenate International Sporting Associations (ISAs) like International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), SPORTRIGHTS will explore how to reform their institutional designs. Over the years, these ISAs have acquired privileged access to many arenas where the most important thing in international politics is done: making decisions. By controlling the geographical distribution and commercial development of major sporting events on the one hand, and being governing monopolies of world sports on the other, they have become partners for various actors trying to acquire influence on the geopolitical scene. Because of their global appeal, these ISAs are expected by an increasing number of stakeholders to promote ‘the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family’, as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights state in its preamble. Some, however, argue that while the ISAs support these principles they fail to translate them into institutionalized procedures. The project objective is therefore to investigate what ISAs actually do when it comes to the human rights situation in countries where sporting events are held. The ambition is to explore their potential for institutional innovation in order to remain independent as servants of sport and through that, as interlinked by the Office of the High Commissioner, contribute to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In this project (a complete description can be distributed to the applicant on request), it is expected that the Ph.D. candidate focus on the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Possible research ideas include topics on sport governance, sport media, sport business, or the organization of sporting events on global, regional or national levels. Research findings are expected to be presented at relevant conferences and in scientific journals.
Currently Kristiania University College does not offer a Ph.D.-programme. Consequently, the selected candidate must be admitted to a Ph.D.-programme at another institution. For the Ph.D.-position, a collaboration has been established with a doctoral granting institution, University of Bergen (UiB), and the application process will be assisted by our Research Administration Department. The candidate has to fulfill the entry requirements for Ph.D programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bergen. Confirmed admission to a Ph.D. programme must be available at the latest six months after signing the employment contract.
As part of the international context of SPORTRIGHTS and Kristiania University College’s aim of taking part in international research networks, the Ph.D. candidate will be obliged to have a research stay outside of Norway. Although the School will facilitate this research stay, it is the responsibility of the candidate to find an eligible host institution.
Competence requirements and selection process
The applicant must be qualified for a Ph.D. candidate position at the University of Bergen (relevant master’s degree/exam from higher education higher degree with grade B or better).
Given Kristiania University College’s ambition of becoming a full University of Applied Sciences by 2030, work experience from sporting organizations will be favorably emphasized in the evaluation of candidates. Moreover, as the position include collaboration with both fellow project members and affiliated parties internationally, excellent communicative skills in English are desired. Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is a bonus. At last, personal engagement for sport governance will be considered.
The applicant will have to propose a research project plan (7 pages, including time line and budget). The following will be evaluated:
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- Quality of the project plan: Scientific excellence, applied value, and feasibility
- Relevance to the overall project (SPORTRIGHTS)
- Quality and relevance of previous work in the relevant area of research
- Quality and relevance of Master thesis and/or publications
Working conditions
It is desired that the candidate joins this position as soon as possible.
Salary is estimated to be between 450,000 and 480,000 NOK a year.
The Ph.D. research fellowship period is 3 years. Working place is School of Communication, Leadership and Marketing. The School is located in downtown Oslo, with numerous amenities, recreational spaces, and urban fun right next door.
Kristiania University College welcomes and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds. Women and persons with minority background are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications will be handled according to the relevant regulations as defined in the Norwegian Open Files Act.
Contacts
- Associate Professor in Sport Management, Hans Erik Næss, tel. +47 91 38 23 57, hanserik.naess@kristiania.no
- Pro-rector Research, Trine Meza, tel. +47 90 89 22 29, trine.meza@kristiania.no
PLEASE NOTE! Application deadline: September 29th 2019. Only applications that is recieved through our application portal will be considered.
