PhD Research Fellow in Human Geography and Sustainable Development
Join the Human Geography and Sustainable Development Research Group at the University of Bergen for a 4-year PhD position exploring critical intersections between society, environment, and sustainability.
Best for:Best for early-career researchers with a Master’s in Human Geography or related disciplines, passionate about sustainability, inequality, and environmental policy, and eager to engage in interdisciplinary fieldwork and teaching.
Overview
This PhD position at the University of Bergen’s Department of Geography focuses on advancing research within the Human Geography and Sustainable Development (HGSD) Research Group. The successful candidate will conduct independent research aligned with the group’s thematic priorities, including climate and energy transformation, food security, global inequality, and green industrial development. The role involves 75% dedicated research and 25% teaching, supervision, and administrative tasks. The position is ideal for applicants with a strong background in human geography or related fields, seeking to contribute to interdisciplinary sustainability studies in a dynamic academic environment.
What you'll do
- Conduct independent doctoral research aligned with the HGSD group’s thematic priorities, contributing to interdisciplinary sustainability studies.
- Develop and execute a research proposal addressing critical questions in human geography and sustainable development.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at academic conferences.
- Teach at Bachelor and Master levels, including course development, supervision, and administrative tasks (25% of time).
- Collaborate with faculty and peers to advance research projects and contribute to departmental initiatives.
- Participate in PhD training programmes and workshops offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.
- Engage in knowledge dissemination through public lectures, workshops, and community outreach.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree or equivalent in Human Geography or a closely related field of study, completed by the application deadline.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency required for teaching and research (Norwegian proficiency is advantageous for specific teaching tasks).
Instruction: English (with some Norwegian for 100-level Bachelor courses)
- Proven academic excellence with a Norwegian grade B or equivalent in the Master’s thesis and overall degree.
- Strong written and oral proficiency in English (required for teaching and research).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a structured academic environment.
- Experience or interest in interdisciplinary research methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
- Familiarity with sustainability, inequality, or environmental policy themes.
- Willingness to engage in teaching and administrative tasks at the university level.
- Applicant must hold or be close to completing a Master’s degree by the application deadline.
- No specific nationality or residency restrictions, but compliance with Norwegian public service regulations is required.
- No age restrictions, but the position is designed for early-career researchers.
- No prior experience caps, though academic excellence and research potential are prioritized.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-15
Applicants must submit a comprehensive application package through Jobbnorge, including a cover letter, project proposal (5-8 pages), CV, transcripts, diplomas, reference letters, and academic publications. The project proposal must outline the research problem, theoretical framework, methodology, and progress plan. Only applications submitted via Jobbnorge with all required documents will be considered.
- Cover letter with research interests and motivation
- Project proposal (5-8 pages)
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
- Certified translations of documents into English or Scandinavian languages if applicable
- Names and contact information for two references (one must be the Master’s thesis advisor)
- List of academic publications
- Academic publications for assessment (including Master’s thesis)
Contact
Rannveig Skoglund· Head of Department
Create a free profile to unlock your personal match score, the full requirements, funding details and how to apply — in English or Persian.