University of Agder: RM200,000 PhD Research Fellowship in Theology

For those interested, the PhD fellowships offered by University of Agder in Norway are worth considering. Note that you will receive an annual salary of 353 200 NOK - that is more than RM200,000! Am I not tempted to do a second PhD?

The closing date is April 15, 2010. Check out the following announcement from the University. Shortlisted candidates will be flown in for an interview.



Two Doctoral Research Fellowships in Theology at the Faculty of Humanities and Education Ref. 3/10

The University of Agder invites applications for two full-time doctoral research fellowships in theology. The Ph.D. stipends are for a period of three years, and the research fellows will be associated with the doctoral program in Religion, Ethics and Society at the Department of Religion, Philosophy and History, which is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Education. More information about the program may be found at the website by clicking here.

The starting date for employment will be determined upon agreement with the Faculty. The employment location is Kristiansand.

The Ph.D. research fellowships are posted in the general field of theology and are open to all theological projects containing an empirical component (cf. the description of the doctoral program for details).

The Department of Religion, Philosophy and History offers an active and exciting academic environment with a scholarly emphasis on empirical religious studies. At present, the department has over 30 persons in the academic staff, six of whom are Ph.D. research fellows. A major research project is currently ongoing in the field of religion as an aesthetic practice.

The successful applicant must have a Master’s degree within a relevant academic field.

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 positions require that the applicant is able to work in a goal-oriented, organised, concentrated and independent manner. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of the project proposal, awarded examination marks, and any previous research and development work. Relevant practical experience and good teamwork skills will also be emphasised.

Applicants must develop a project proposal, which is to accompany the application. The proposal is to be a maximum of 8 pages (including references). It should describe and discuss the applicant’s proposed research topic, relevant theoretical perspectives, and initial methodological plans for engaging empirical material within the chosen conceptual framework. It should also contain a tentative timeline for completion within three years, and a preliminary bibliography.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews.

Women are encouraged to apply. The University of Agder also aims to increase the number of academic staff from immigrant backgrounds. Persons from immigrant backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the position.

The successful applicants will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the Civil Service.

Final decisions regarding appointment will made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

The positions will be remunerated within the State salary scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017, salary grade 45 (353 200 NOK). A 2 % compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

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 applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Applicants must submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Send application” on the website www.uia.no/vacancies

The following documentation should be sent in three hard copies to the address given below:

- Certified copies of diplomas and letters of reference

- List of academic publications

- Master’s thesis (if applicable)

- Other academic publications (no more than 10)

- Project proposal (no more than 8 pages)

Applicants are also asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Send application” on the website. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit complete documentation (in triplicate) prior to the announced deadline (see below).

Application and CV with complete information about education, practical experience, and other academic activities should be sent in three hard copies to the following address:

Human Resources Office, University of Agder, Service box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway, quoting “ref nr. 3/10”. Closing date: 15 April 2010.

For further information regarding the positions and the doctoral program, please contact professor F. LeRon Shults (tlf. 00 47 38142071; epost leron.shults@uia.no) professor Pål Repstad (tlf. 00 47 38141554; epost: pal.repstad@uia.no) or the Director of the Department, Dr. Årstein Justnes (tlf. 00 47 38141558; epost: arstein.justnes@uia.no)

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