PhD Research Fellow in “Sports, Outdoor Life, Technology and Policy” to University of South-Eastern Norway (Second announcement). Apply no later than March 31, 2019

The Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Educational Sciences has a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow within the theme “Sports, Outdoor Life, Technology and Policy”.

The position is located in the Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies and reports to the Head of Department. The desired campus of employment is Bø, followed by Notodden or Vestfold.

The PhD research fellow will also be associated with the research group “sports and cultural policy,” although other research groups located at USN might also be relevant. The successful fellow must be admitted to the PhD program in Culture Studies at USN within three months of accession.

The theme for the positions research project is “Sports, Outdoor Life, Technology and Policy.” The project should focus on the relation between technology, humans and policy within the field of sports and/or outdoor life field. Technology seems to play an ever more important role in sports and outdoor life: GPSs, pulse watches and treadmills; recognition technology such as Facebook, Strava and Instagram is increasingly being incorporated into people’s sporting and outdoor activities. Technology can be both disciplining and empowering, guiding an individual’s actions in a variety of ways.

Every day smartphones, pulse watches and other technology gives people feedback on whether they have moved enough or if they have to make an extra effort. People can do “research” on themselves and their own training. At the same time, research on physical activity and health in general, and research generated by sport’s measuring apparatuses more specifically is used when health policy is formed. Technology can be seen both as an actor that plays a part in creating health policy and as a follow up to health policy.

This PhD project should provide new knowledge on the nexus between sports/outdoor life, technology and policy. Further, the project should point to how technology can be both disciplining and empowering at the same time as technology contributes to create knowledge-based policy. Health plays an ever more important role in the political legitimation of physical activity and sports. Hence, it is important to understand the processes behind political decision making in this field, and the role technology plays in the implantation of the politics of health. The project could also study how technology used in sports and outdoor life affects participants experiences, motivation and identity.

The PhD research fellow will determine him- or herself the project’s theoretical and methodical framework. The project must include cultural perspectives that provide in-depth understandings of the role technology plays in sports/outdoor life and that take into consideration how technology influence both individual and political actions.

The applicant’s written project description should contain precise research questions, with justification provided for the theoretical and methodical approaches chosen.

Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree or equivalent higher education qualifications in Sports, Outdoor life, Physical Education, Culture Studies, Sociology, Philosophy or equivalent.  The applicant must have completed his or her degree by the time of application, with a grade of B or better.

The candidate must have the ability to work independently and focused, and at the same time be motivated to share knowledge and work as a part of an active research team. The faculty’s staff work to a large degree within thematic teams. As part of such a team, the candidate must be motivated to share his or her knowledge and work cooperatively. Good interpersonal abilities will therefore be emphasized. Good written and oral presentation skills in Norwegian and/or English are a prerequisite.

The successful candidate’s employment will be contingent upon admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Culture Studies. A short description of the program can be sent upon request to Professor Lars Frers (lars.frers@usn.no). We also encourage our applicants to familiarize themselves with the Program’s areas of research, https://www.usn.no/english/research/postgraduate-studies-phd/our-phd-programmes/culture-studies/.

• • A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
  • A good social environment
  • Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
  • Opportunity for physical activities within working hours

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 449 400 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.

In special cases, employment in code 1378 may be considered.

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

The appointment takes place under the conditions that at any time apply to employees of the state.

The Appointments Board will ultimately appoint the PhD Research Fellow. A panel of scientific experts will assess the applicants, and those short-listed for the position will be called in to interview and to present and discuss their projects.

The successful applicant must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply to the position.

The University of South-Eastern Norway aims to reflect the composition of the general population, and has therefore as a personnel policy objective to balance the composition of its personnel by age, gender and ethnicity.  People from ethnic minority backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the position.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information act § 25 2 paragraph, information about the applicant may be included in the public listing of applicant list, even when the applicant has requested that this not be disclosed at the time of application. The applicant will be informed if his/her request for non-disclosure has been declined.

For questions about the position:

• Head of Department Annette Bischoff: +47 35952787
• Associate Professor Tommy Langseth: + 47 35952760

For questions about the application process:

• HR Advisor Kristine Aa. Aasland: +47 35 02 65 89

University College of Southeast Norway uses online applications. We ask applicants to register their applications and CVs online by clicking on the “Send application” link to the right. The application must include the following documents:[1]

• • Certified diplomas and certificates from university college/university
  • Master’s thesis
  • A 5-page (maximum) project description
  • Any scientific publications and a list of these
  • Three references (contact information)

Please note that all documents must be translated into English or a Scandinavian language by an authorized translator. Requested attachments must be uploaded along with the application/CV for an application to be considered.