PhD and Postdoc Research Fellowships in Intercultural History of Christianity

VID Specialized University announces one scholarship for PhD project and one Postdoc scholarship within the newly founded excellence research network ?Connected Histories - Contested Values. World Lutheranism and Decolonisation: Processes of Transloyalities, 1919-1970."

The stipulated length of the positions is 3 years.

The research project analyses discourses and negotiation processes between various Lutheran churches and other stakeholders in education and health care with a focus on values and loyalties from 1919 to 1970. In its innovative international and polycentric approach, it starts with the period after World War I, when the concept of ?European civilization" was shaken and new educational and health care projects were initiated. The period ends with decolonisation after World War II, the consequences of which were for the first time seriously discussed at the LWF Assembly in Evian (France, July 1970).

How did Lutherans in different contexts (re-)construct their values in these changing circumstances? How did they negotiate them with political, ecclesial and other stakeholders? How did they deal with competing loyalties? The project analyses these discourses in South Africa, Madagascar, China, Norway and Germany - countries connected by Lutheran educational and health care work. It examines how Lutherans related to processes of decolonization and constructs of ?modernity" and analyses the vast spectrum of positions between adaption, self-assertion, emancipation and resistance. A focus on loyalties, competing loyalties and indeed transloyalties especially in the areas ?education/literacy' and ?health care/diakonia' can help to throw new light on these processes.

Applicants for both the PhD fellowship and postdoctoral are invited to present project proposals exploring main themes of the research projects.

The position as research fellow is educational; it aims at the candidate achieving a PhD Degree after completed research training at one of the University's two PhD programmes. An achieved PhD degree is a relevant qualification for positions within and outside academia.

The PhD position will be within the PhD-programme Theology and Religion

More information about the PhD programme can be found on our website:

https://www.vid.no/en/studies/theology-and-religion-phd/ (https://www.vid.no/en/studies/theology-and-religion-phd/)

Admission to a doctoral degree programme is a condition for appointment as a research fellow. Applicants are therefore requested to specify the connection between their own project proposal and the PhD programme.

General criteria for appointment as a research fellow are stipulated in the Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow, research fellow, research assistant and resident (https://www.uhr.no/).

The project is an integral part of VID's research group Mission and Diakonia Historical Research (MiDiHi).The project proposal should relate to this group, where senior researchers, as well as PhD research fellows and master students, will make up a dynamic research environment. More information about the the research group is available on our website:

https://wo.cristin.no/as/WebObjects/cristin.woa/4/wa/presentasjonVis?pres=560989&type=GRUPPE&la=en (https://wo.cristin.no/as/WebObjects/cristin.woa/4/wa/presentasjonVis?pres=560989&type=GRUPPE&la=en)

Both positions will be located at Stavanger.

Requirements for the position:

• Documented historical skills. For the PhD: At least grade B on a relevant Master's degree and thesis. For the postdoc: A PhD thesis of high quality on a relevant topic to the call.
• Documented international experience
• Documented organisational skills

The following are also desirable:

• Ability to work well with others
• Experience with relevant research and development work
• Ability to carry out and complete major tasks
• Sensitivity towards religious dialogues and developments

In an overall assessment of the applicants, emphasis is on personal qualifications, relevant competence and research experience.

Diversity is one of the characteristics of a good working environment. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender, functional abilities and cultural background. The person appointed must be loyal to the aims and values of VID Specialized University.

The applicant must submit a project description of maximum 3,000 words (reference list not included) where he/she accounts for:

• the chosen topic and motivation for completion
• research question, choice of theories and methods
• a progress plan for the various parts of the research project must be part of the description

The project description must be written in English. VID focuses on strengthening the cooperation between international educational- and research institutions, and expects applicants to indicate plans for studies abroad during the appointed period.

You can find guidelines for applicants to the PhD positions here: https://www.vid.no/en/search/?q=guideline+for+applicants+for+phd (https://www.vid.no/en/search/?q=guideline+for+applicants+for+phd)

Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. Emphasis will be given to the relevance and quality of the project description, quality of the Master's Thesis or thesis at second degree level and any publications or R&D-experience in the last 3-5 years. VID will also do a reference check on relevant applicants, and we ask that the application includes 2-3 names of people we can contact.

Emphasis will also be placed on the interview with the applicant (in person or per skype). The person who is appointed must be loyal to, and work in accordance with, the aims and values of VID and submit to current laws, regulations, guidelines and agreements applying to the position.

Applicants from non-Scandinavian countries who do not have a university degree from an English-speaking country must submit results from a TOEFL test, with a minimum of 550 points (80 points on the Internet).

• Opportunities of academic development with highly qualified and committed colleagues
• A value-based and church based specialized university with high academic teaching- and research ambitions relevant to society and the church
• Membership in the State Pension Plan with beneficial loan- and pension terms. Accident- and group-life insurance scheme is required.
• VID conforms to the main agreement between the Enterprise Federation of Norway (VIRKE) and Employees Unions.
  • The PhD scholarship is placed in code 1017 Stipendiat of the collective agreement, salary table 20, alternative 10, salary grade 54 (NOK 479 600).
  • The Postdoc scholarship is placed in code 1352 (Postdoktor), and is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 552 800 before tax per year, depending on qualifications.
• From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Please uphold the application, CV, diplomas, transcripts, diploma supplements and project description (maximum 3,000 words, reference list not included) through the Apply here link above. It is the full responsibility of the applicant to submit a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Diploma supplements for non-Norwegian diplomas must be included when relevant. Documents in other languages  than English or Norwegian, must include an official translation as well.

If you have documents that cannot be sent electronically, please contact HR-department, Susanne Deila Finne, phone + 47 22 96 37 91 or Susanne.deila.finne@vid.no

Application deadline: 1 April 2020

Starting date: 1 August 2020 or by agreement

A sorting committee will select the applications to be assessed by the expert committee. Please note that applicants not selected for expert assessment will not receive a written evaluation of the project description. The decision of the sorting committee will not be distributed.

Applicants who are invited for interviews must submit certified copies of diplomas, grade transcripts and certificates. For further information about the position or guidance related to the project draft, please contact prof. Frieder Ludwig, frieder.ludwig@vid.no.

Visit our website at www.vid.no/en