Tre stipendiater innen psykososialt arbeidsmiljø og storulykkerisiko

Three PhD Research Fellows in Psychosocial Work Environment and Major Accident Risk

How Does the Work Environment Shape Major Accident Risk?

About the Position

The University of Stavanger invites applications for three PhD Research Fellow positions in psychosocial work environment and major accident risk at the UiS Business School, Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing. The positions are available from 1 March 2027.

As part of the PSYCHMAJOR research project, you will explore questions that matter for people’s safety at work. You will join an interdisciplinary research community working closely with the petroleum industry and develop your own doctoral research project within the scope of PSYCHMAJOR.

We are looking for someone who thinks critically, identifies connections and develops well-founded solutions. You take initiative, follow through and drive work forward, while collaborating effectively and sharing knowledge across disciplines.

The PhD fellowship leads to a doctoral degree and gives you the opportunity to develop research expertise in an active and stimulating academic environment. Through the doctoral education, you will acquire knowledge, skills and experience that qualify you for a further career in research, higher education, and other knowledge-intensive sectors.

The successful candidate will be admitted to the PhD programme in Social Sciences. The programme includes coursework, an independent research project culminating in a doctoral thesis, participation in national and international research communities, dissemination of research, a trial lecture, and a public defence of the thesis. For more information about the PhD education at UiS, please visit our website.

The position is for three years of pure research training or four years with research training combined with other career-promoting work. The final arrangement will be clarified during the recruitment process.

As a PhD Fellow at UiS, you will receive supervision and support for your academic and professional development through mentoring, skills development, and career planning.

One of the positions is externally funded by the Research Council of Norway, while the other are funded by the Ministry of Education and Research.

Research Topic

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the research project Psychosocial Factors and Major Accident Risk in the Petroleum Industry (PSYCHMAJOR). The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, Equinor and Vår Energi. It will run from 2027 to 2030 as a collaboration between the University of Stavanger, NTNU Samfunnsforskning AS, SINTEF, NTNU, Equinor and Vår Energi, and will be led by NTNU Social Research AS.

Major accidents in the petroleum industry are rarely caused by a single technical failure. They often arise from complex interactions between technology, organisational conditions and human actions. However, we still know too little about the role of the psychosocial work environment in the development of major accident risk.

The project has five main research areas:

• Developing an integrated theoretical framework for the psychosocial work environment and major accident risk
• Conducting quantitative analyses of relationships between the work environment, safety behaviour and safety incidents
• Conducting qualitative studies of the mechanisms linking psychosocial factors to safety-critical processes
• Developing and evaluating interventions targeting the work environment and safety
• Studying how organisational and technological change processes affect the work environment and major accident risk

The PhD Research Fellows will join PSYCHMAJOR’s research group. Participation in the project’s seminars, meetings and other activities will be important for the fellow’s academic and social integration. The doctoral research must be relevant to the project as a whole, and the doctoral thesis will form part of the project’s scientific outputs.

PSYCHMAJOR will use both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The project includes analyses of extensive data on the psychosocial work environment and safety incidents, interviews, document analyses, observations and workshops, as well as the development and evaluation of organisational interventions. The doctoral project may adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approach, depending on the research questions developed. We therefore welcome applicants with different methodological backgrounds.

The workplace will be the UiS Business School’s premises at Ullandhaug in Stavanger. Some travel for data collection, meetings and other project activities should be expected.

Qualifications

You must have a strong academic background with a five-year master’s degree or a professional degree in a relevant discipline, such as psychology, organisational psychology, work and organisational studies, social psychology, social sciences, human factors, risk and safety studies, occupational health and safety, or an equivalent qualification that provides a basis for undertaking doctoral education.

We are looking for applicants whose master’s thesis grade and weighted average grade for their master’s degree are each equivalent to B or better.

If you have completed your education at an institution that uses a grading scale other than A-F, please provide documentation explaining how your grades correspond to the Norwegian grading scale. You may use these conversion tables to calculate your admission score.

Proficiency in both spoken and written English is required. Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage.

We will also place emphasis on whether you:

• have an interest in the psychosocial work environment, organisations and safety
• have experience in data collection and analysis, and a sound methodological foundation in qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research. Strong quantitative research skills are particularly desirable
• drive work forward, follow through on tasks and commitments, and meet agreed deadlines
• work effectively both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative and creativity
• think critically, identify connections and develop well-founded solutions
• are well organised and manage your workload effectively
• remain calm and maintain perspective in challenging situations
• collaborate across disciplines, share knowledge and contribute to shared outcomes

English Language Requirements

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required for admission to the PhD programme.

International applicants who do not qualify for one of the exemptions listed below must document their English language proficiency by submitting a valid test result from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 90/4.5
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.5
• Cambridge English: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): minimum score of 62

You are exempt from this requirement if you:

• have completed at least one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
• have completed a master's degree taught in English in an EU/EEA country or in India
• qualify for an exemption according to the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) GSU list
• do not fall within any of the exemption categories listed above, but have resided in Norway for the past five years.

As a PhD Fellow at UiS, you will receive

• Doctoral research training at a large institution with an important societal mission
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD as part of a major interdisciplinary research project in close collaboration with the petroleum industry
• The opportunity to work in a stimulating academic environment with a strong research community and an employer that prioritises academic excellence and an inclusive working environment
• The opportunity to undertake a research stay abroad
• Considerable academic autonomy and freedom to develop your own research interests and networks within the scope of the project
• Flexible working arrangements
• Office space at our premises at Ullandhaug and the option to work from home
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys, a digital service that supports mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, code 1017, NOK 580.000 gross per year, with salary progression during the employment period. A statutory 2% contribution is deducted for membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens pensjonskasse), which provides favourable pension and insurance schemes
• favourable membership terms at SiS Sports Centre and the university sports club
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation committed to reducing sick leave and promoting an inclusive working life
• access to the Hjem-jobb-hjem programme, offering discounted public transportation to and from work
• relocation support
• access to comprehensive health services, generous parental leave arrangements and a well-developed welfare system.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is a strength at the University of Stavanger. Different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds contribute to better solutions and a positive working and learning environment. We welcome applicants with diverse qualifications, life experiences and perspectives, and encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender, age, disability, cultural background, or whether they have experienced periods outside the workforce. UiS is committed to supporting employees in different stages of life and to providing reasonable accommodation for employees with individual needs.

In accordance with applicable regulations, at least one qualified applicant with a disability, a gap in their CV, or an immigrant background will be invited for an interview. If this applies to you, you may indicate this in the application portal. Read more about the scheme here.

How to Apply

Apply for this job by clicking "Apply for this job" button on this page.

In Jobbnorge, you must register at least your application, relevant education and work experience, as well as language skills. In your application letter, please describe your research interests, your motivation for applying for the position, and how your background is relevant to the research project.

The following documentation must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a complete overview of your education, experience, and any scientific or scholarly work
• diploma and transcript of records documenting completion of a master's degree. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, you must submit an up-to-date transcript of records
• Diploma Supplement or equivalent documentation, and a confirmed grade conversion scale if required
• documentation of English language proficiency, if required
• publications or other relevant research work
• references and other documentation considered relevant to the application

The documentation must be provided in a Scandinavian language or in English.

Applications will be assessed based on the information available in Jobbnorge when the application deadline expires. Please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements described in the announcement, and that all required documentation has been uploaded. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 100 MB, the files must be compressed before upload.

UiS only considers applications and attachments submitted through Jobbnorge.

Information about applicants may be made public even if an applicant has requested not to be included on the public list of applicants, cf. Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act. If such a request is not granted, you will be notified.

Terms of Employment and Recruitment Process

UiS is subject to the Norwegian Security Act. Employees are expected to demonstrate security-conscious behaviour and comply with applicable security and export control procedures. In the appointment process, attributes such as reliability, sound judgement and loyalty will be emphasised.

Employment as a PhD Fellow is regulated in Regulations to the Universities and Colleges Act, chapter IV. Admission to the doctoral programme is governed by the Regulations for the degree of Philosophia Doctor (PhD) at the University of Stavanger.

Your qualifications for the position, based on the documentation registered in Jobbnorge by the application deadline, will be assessed by an internal committee. Based on the committee's assessment, selected candidates will be invited to an interview. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. Read more about the recruitment process on our website.

The PhD work will primarily be carried out at the University of Stavanger. It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate resides in a location that enables regular presence at and active participation in the academic environment during normal working hours.

The position is advertised in both Norwegian and English. In the event of any discrepancy between the texts, the Norwegian version shall prevail.

UiS - challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.

In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.

Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The University of Stavanger School of Business and Law carries out research and offers study programs across all areas of business. The study options include bachelor programs in Business Administration, Digital Service Leadership, Accounting & Auditing, and Law. The school also offers master programs in Economic Transformation and Innovation, Business Administration, Accounting & Auditing, Service Leadership in International Business and Executive MBA, as well as research education (PhD). The Centre of Innovation Research is part of the school. There are currently 130 employees and 2,200 students at the school. The UiS School of Business and Law is organized in three departments; Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing, Department of Accounting and Law and Department of Economics and Finance.