Associate Professor in Human Rights and Multiculturalism
Deadline: 07.04.2024
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research
.USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs. They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies have a vacancy for a post as Associate Professor in Human Rights and Multiculturalism
About the position
At the faculty of Humanities, Sports and Educational Science there is a vacancy for a permanent 50 % position as associate professor in human rights and multiculturalism from 01.08.2024.
The position is linked to the Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies, and the immediate superior is the Head of department. The place of employment is Campus Drammen, Norway, but occasional travel to other campuses can be expected.
Responsibilities and duties
The position is primarily connected to the department’s master program in Human Rights and Multiculturalism. The position may further require contributions to the cultural studies and teacher education programs at the faculty. This announcement is directed at candidates working within the intersecting fields of humanities and social sciences, with a proven competence in interdisciplinary research and teaching related to human rights and cultural diversity.
Responsibilities will include teaching and supervision of students connected to the master program, in addition to research. We are currently in a period of development and a considerable amount of study administration and program development will be expected from this position. The candidate is expected to contribute to teaching in cultural theory, multiculturalism, and social justice topics related to human rights. Administrative tasks in the position will include coordinating the program staff, coordinating student internship agreements and facilitating international development collaborations.
The successful candidate will be expected to cooperate constructively in the academic development of the respective staff units and contribute to the development of national and international networks. Preferably, the successful candidate will join the research group “Human Rights and Diversities.”
You may be required to carry out teaching at all levels of the educational cycle within your department and at other departments.
For the University, distance learning and e-learning are target areas and the candidate must therefore be able to provide supervision and teaching via digital media.
Qualifications
Required qualifications for the position:
The candidate must have a PhD or equivalent within a humanities or social sciences field relevant to human rights and multiculturalism. The position requires a particular interest in and experience with human rights, policy and advocacy topics as well as professional practice.
The candidate must have experience in interdisciplinary research and teaching related to human rights, cultural theory, social justice and professional ethics at the master level.
As the language of instruction is both English and Norwegian, fluency in both English and one of the Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish) is required, along with proven ability to lecture in both. If this competence cannot be documented, then it will be tested through a trial lecture during the interview process.
The candidate must have knowledge and experience with study program administration and development work, preferably in Norwegian higher education institutions and including collegial management of academic staff.
For appointment as an Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis), a Norwegian doctoral degree is also required within the subject area or an equivalent foreign doctoral degree that has been approved as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree or similar level of competence documented by means of scientific work of the same scope and quality.
For appointment as an Associate Professor (førstelektor), documented extensive research and development work is required, which in quality and scope equals the workload and level of a doctoral thesis. Special qualifications in teaching or other pedagogical activities are emphasised.
Desired Qualifications:
Competence and interest in interdisciplinary research related to relevant themes in the study of human rights, social justice, diversities and advocacy.
Ability to work independently and at the same time be motivated to work in a team, share knowledge and cooperate with other researchers at the department.
Knowledge of and experience with study administration, quality systems and experience with study program development will be prioritized.
Personal suitability for the post will be emphasized.
Requirements for documentation of educational competence
Teaching at the university shall be based on research, in terms of both teaching practice and content. As such, we aim to recruit teachers who have experience from and demonstrate the motivation to focus on the development of teaching practice and the interaction between teaching and research, in order to promote learning.
In accordance with the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research post, the University of South-Eastern Norway has established requirements that applicants for the posts of Associate Professor must be able to document skills in university and university college level pedagogy, subject didactics and digital competencies.
On this basis, it is assumed that applicants can document educational skills through successfully completed university-level educational programmes of study or equivalent courses with a minimum of 200 hours of work and that they have developed fundamental skills in planning, implementing, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision at a university or university college level.
Alternatively, documentation is required to demonstrate the candidate’s own practice as a teacher, academic supervisor and educational supervisor in higher education, combined with relevant educational programmes, courses and seminars and documentation of acquired basic skills in planning, implementing, evaluating and developing teaching and supervision.
For applicants assessed primarily on the basis of their practice, there is an experience requirement within teaching, academic and educational supervision that corresponds to a portion of a full-time position in higher education corresponding to two years.
Candidates who do not meet the requirements upon hiring are obliged to meet them within two years after being hired for the position. The two-year rule does not apply when applying for a promotion.
Applicants who do not have educational qualifications of this kind may be appointed on the condition that they qualify within two (2) years. Courses in university and university college level pedagogy will be offered.
When assessing applicants, emphasis will be placed on
Scientific and educational qualifications.
Professional competence and scientific production within the intersection of humanities and social sciences.
Publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
Interdisciplinary collaboration and teaching experience related to social justice, human rights and cultural diversity.
Administrative experience and competence, including communication skills in the required languages.
Experience with international study programs and their administration.
Experience with and commitment to study quality and study program development.
Experience from research-driven innovation and industry collaboration.
Experience from international research mobility.
Other relevant competence.
Personal suitability and motivation for the post.
We offer
Exciting and educational academic environment with stimulating work.
Individual competence plan and good opportunities for competence and career development for all employees.
Inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues.
Employee benefits, including opportunity to exercise during working hours.
Salary
Associate Professor (Førsteamanuensis) (position code 1011) and Associate Professor (førstelektor) (position code 1198): LT 66-79 NOK 646 000 – 845 900 per year.
Salary grade according to seniority and competence. Statutory amounts for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted from salary.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post.
Additional information
The appointing body is the appointments committee for teaching and research posts at the University of South-Eastern Norway. An expert committee will assess the applications. Based on the committee’s recommendations, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview and a trial lecture.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post.
According to our human resources policy, it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the post. We endeavor to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt your workplace if required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.
Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Deputy head of department Melissa Murphy, email: melissa.murphy@usn.no ph.: +4731008726
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side - “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).
The following documents shall be attached to the online application:
Certified copies of diplomas from a university college/university and certificates.
Scientific publications (up to 10 for applicants for Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis/førstelektor).
List of scientific publications.
Applicants who have completed their own university pedagogy course corresponding to a minimum of 200 hours must enclose a certificate of completed course/examination along with a curriculum plan or a description of the course and appurtenant topics/themes.
Basic skills in planning, implementing, evaluating and developing of teaching and supervision must be documented in the form of a systematic and holistic overview.
Other applicants must describe, assess and document their competence as teachers, mentors and educational supervisors through a systematic and holistic overview. At USN, the pedagogical portfolio is used. Please read more about the documents that should be included in the pedagogical portfolio in USN’s criteria for assessing educational competence for employment and promotion.
Contact information for three references.
Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.
If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for the recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for being hired.
Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the requested documentation has been uploaded with the application within the application deadline!
The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.
