The University of Agder invites applications for two full-time fixed-term appointments as PhD Research Fellow in Public Administration for a period of three years (alternatively four years with 25% of the time assigned to tasks at the faculty's discretion), at the Department of Political Science and Management, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. The position is currently located in Kristiansand, Norway.

The dissertation topic should fall within one of the two areas of specialisation offered in the PhD Programme in Public Administration:

• International bureaucracies
• Regional and local government and governance

The PhD Programme in Public Administration focuses on transboundary processes in European public administration. Transboundary activities are processes where public administration spans different policy areas and levels of government (local, national and international levels), thereby creating new complex administrative orders that largely transcend existing administrative orders. For further information about the programme see:

PhD in Public Administration

The applicants must qualify for admission to the PhD Programme in Public Administration, and must hold a master's degree in political science, public administration, or a similar field. The positions place great demands on the applicants' capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, and any previous research and development work. Relevant practical experience, personal suitability and good teamwork skills will also be emphasised. The University, on its side, is committed to securing good supervision for the successful applicants. Short-listed applicants may be invited for interviews.

Applicants must submit a project description of no more than 10 pages including the bibliography. The project description should include a presentation of possible research questions/hypotheses, theoretical framework and a progress plan for the proposed doctoral project. The quality of the project description weighs heavily in the evaluation of the applications.

Applicants are ranked on the basis of the entire breadth of their documented scientific qualifications. Further provisions relating to the position as PhD Research Fellow can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Post of Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident, available for download at www.uia.no/vacancies.

The successful applicants will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the Civil Service. Organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder's Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

The Civil Service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society in its work force. It is therefore a goal of personnel policy in the Civil Service to achieve balanced gender representation, include different age groups and recruit civil servants from backgrounds reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country. Minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply for the positions.

The positions are remunerated within the State salary scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017, salary grade 45 (NOK 355.400). A 2% compulsory pension contribution will be deducted and paid to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund according to current statutory provisions.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link "Send application".

The following documentation should be sent in two (2) hard copies to the following address: Human Resources Office, University of Agder, Service box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway, quoting "Ref nr. 105/09":

-        Certified copies of diplomas and references

-        Complete list of scientific publications

-        Master's thesis

-        Copies of selected scientific publications

-        Project description, including a tentative progress plan for the project

The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation in a sufficient number of copies before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Closing date: 31 January 2010.

In accordance with §25 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act, applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the name of the applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University's intention to exercise this right.

For further information please contact the Head of the PhD-programme, Professor Jarle Trondal, phone +47 38 14 15 61, e-mail jarle.trondal@uia.no, administrative head of the PhD programmes at the Faculty Målfrid Tangedal, phone +47 38 14 15 49, e-mailmalfrid.tangedal@uia.no or Head of Department Are Vegard Haug, phone +47 38 14 15 92, e-mail are.v.haug@uia.no

The full text of this announcement is also available online at www.uia.no/stilling

In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.