Senior researcher to the Health, education and labour market integration in refugees project

We invite applications for a 2,5-year researcher position at the “Section for Trauma, Disasters, and Forced Migration – Adults" at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) based in Oslo, Norway. The position will be available from Spring 2026 (starting date based on agreement).

NKVTS aims to assist those affected by violence and trauma. The center operates on an international level, developing knowledge and advancing academic research. Through our research efforts, we inform and report on best practices for practitioners and contribute to the academic field of violence and traumatic stress. Our goal is to prevent and mitigate the health and social consequences of violence and trauma.

The position is part of the “HEaL” (Health, education and labour market integration in refugees) project, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The project aims to study the links between health, migration-related stress and labour market integration in Syrian and Ukrainian refugees resettled in Norway. The project has several work-packages and will utilize both large quantitative datasets as well as qualitative, interview-based data. There is a clear overarching aim to align the quantitative and qualitative elements of the project so that synergistic effects are achieved. The advertised position will primarily be in the qualitative arm of the study and involve study planning, interviewing of refugee women from Syria and Ukraine, qualitative/mixed-methods data analysis and paper preparation. Furthermore, the researcher will be expected to develop additional research papers based on their own research interests and to contribute to potential future grant applications.

Qualification requirements

Essential

• Completed Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (e.g. public health, psychology, sociology, anthropology/medical anthropology or other field), preferably with a focus on health-related issues and/or labour-market dynamics.

• Demonstrated training or solid experience with qualitative research methods, including interview-based methods, preferably within an interdisciplinary/mixed-methods research framework.

• Strong academic background with publications in international, peer-reviewed journals.

Advantageous

• Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams and with multi-method research approaches.

• Previous experience working with refugees or other vulnerable populations.

• Strong enthusiasm for conducting high-quality research. The candidate is expected to demonstrate a high level of initiative, motivation and independence in research and academic writing.

• International research experience and professional networks are a strong advantage.

• Demonstrated experience with quantitative research methods is desirable

• Excellent command of both oral and written English. Non-Norwegian speaking candidates are expected to develop a working knowledge of Norwegian over the course of the 2,5-year- researcher position.

Key tasks / Duties

• Participate in the design of the qualitative arm of the HEaL project where Syrian and Ukrainian refugee women will be interviewed on the topics of labour-market integration and health

• Be an integral part of the interview-based data collection, as well as subsequent data handling and qualitative analysis.

• Write and publish scientific articles in international, peer-reviewed journals.

• Collaborate closely with the quantitative research team to align and maximize the analytical potential of the qualitative and quantitative components of the project.

• Contribute to the planning and writing of research grant proposals.

What can we offer?

-          Active participation in a young and dynamic research group with a good working environment and a unique dataset.

-          Some freedom for the researcher to develop their own research profile.

-          An exciting research environment with a multidisciplinary profile, a strong international network and excellent opportunities for academic development.

-          Potentially opportunities for international research visits through scholarships provided by the Research Council of Norway.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

-          A concise application letter (1-2 pages) explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this position

-          Curriculum vitae

-          List of publications, including a brief description of up to 5 key publications

-          Contact details for 2 referees

-          Academic records for BSc, MSc and PhD degrees. Foreign 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).

Step-by-Step Guide for Using the Application Portal (for non-Norwegian applicants):

Since the application platform is in Norwegian, please follow these step-by-step instructions to submit your application:

1. Click on the blue button labeled “Søk her” (meaning "Apply here") on the right-hand side of the advert, just below the listed contact persons.

2. Fill in your contact details: First name, last name, email address, and phone number.

3. Under the section “CV”, click “Last opp eget dokument” (which means "Upload your own document") to upload your CV.

4. Under “Søknadstekst” (application text), again click “Last opp eget dokument” to upload your letter of motivation.

Please note: Even though the field is marked as “valgfritt” (optional), the motivation letter is required for this position.

5. In the section “Andre dokumenter” (“other documents”), upload any additional required documents as specified in the job posting.

6. Once all documents are uploaded, click “Søk på stillingen” (“apply for the job”).

A confirmation message will appear — please confirm to complete your submission.

If you experience any difficulties during the process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Additional

NKVTS is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic background, disability, or gaps in their CV.

Please note that applicants’ names may be made public even if a request for confidentiality has been submitted. If such a request cannot be granted, the applicant will be notified and given the opportunity to withdraw their application (Offentlighetsloven § 25).

We are approximately 100 employees who go to work every morning to create “A better life for people affected by violence and trauma.” We work towards this goal by preventing and reducing the health-related and social consequences that violence and trauma may cause.
We achieve this through research, development work, teaching, dissemination, and guidance.