About the position

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) invites applications for a three-year, full-time position as Doctoral Researcher. The position provides the opportunity to work in a leading international research institution with high academic standards and an interdisciplinary environment. This position is financed through a grant from the Research Council of Norway to PRIO for the project “Knowledge for reconciliation: Truth and contestation in the aftermath of the Norwegian truth and reconciliation commission (RECON)”, led by Research Professor Inger Skjelsbæk.

Working within the social sciences, such as psychology, pedagogy, sociology, or a related discipline, the Doctoral Researcher to be employed in this project is expected to conduct doctoral research relevant to the project's objectives. The candidate is expected to conduct qualitative fieldwork (in-depth interviews and/or focus group discussions) in the Norwegian part of the South Saami area during the first year. Apart from this requirement, the Doctoral Researcher is expected to conduct their work independently, while remaining in close dialogue with the project team. The work should result in an article-based PhD dissertation in English.

Furthermore, the candidate should be committed to PRIO’s broader mission of conducting high-quality academic research on issues relevant to fostering a more peaceful world.

For more information about PRIO’s ongoing research, please check outPRIO’s website.

About the project

What role can truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) play in reconciliation in liberal states with a past of settler colonialism? By analysing the Norwegian TRC case in the South Saami area, RECON critically examines how the dissemination of knowledge about past and ongoing injustices affects reconciliation. The main research questions are:

How do the minority and majority populations in the South Saami area articulate reconciliation needs and how do these views differ?
What knowledge of the past is seen as important for reconciliation in the South Saami area?
To what extent and through which mechanisms does knowledge of the past impact reconciliation in the South Saami area?The project relies on mixed-methods research design.

The position of the Doctoral Researcher in the team

A successful application must make clear in its project how it will contribute to the larger project. Candidates are encouraged to read the background material closely before writing their proposal. The Doctoral Researcher will work closely with researchers at PRIO and NTNU. The Doctoral Researcher will have one supervisor at PRIO and a second supervisor at the PhD-granting institution. Progress on the doctorate will be supported through regular presentations at internal seminars and involvement in appropriate research groups at PRIO, and opportunities to present work at international academic conferences and workshops. The PhD progress plan will be tied to the overall project plan.

Qualifications

Required

Applicants must have the following qualifications:

Hold a MA or equivalent in a relevant social science field;
Documented strong writing skills;
Documented training in qualitative research methods;
Fluent in Norwegian and English;
Independent and self-driven.

Desirable

In addition, the following qualifications are desirable:

Knowledge of South Saami or other Saami language and culture;
Experience with fieldwork and semi-structured interviews;
Experience with teamwork. The candidate will be expected to live within commutable distance from Oslo and will have a workplace at PRIO.

Note that the PhD degree must be awarded by a degree-granting institution. The Doctoral Researcher will be responsible for applying to and enrolling in a compatible PhD programme. Different institutions may have different requirements, and candidates are encouraged to enquire in advance about their eligibility to enrol in a given programme. Tuition fees are not covered by the project.

PRIO offers

Contract:3 years, full-time temporary employment, with a starting salary of NOK 600,298. All employees are offered membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Additional employee benefits include a subsidized canteen, a weekly running group and various social events. Moreover, PRIO provides an excellent work environment.

Location: The institute is located on spacious and attractive premises in central Oslo. The work will be performed in Oslo, Norway (on-site presence required).

Starting date:The Doctoral Researcher is expected to start as soon as possible and no later than 1 May 2026, unless otherwise agreed.

PRIO is an equal-opportunity employer and values staff diversity. For more information on our HR and recruitment approach, please consult our recruitment principles and careers page.

Application procedure

Before applying, candidates should read RECON’s project proposal. To access the project proposal, please email the project leader, Senior Researcher Inger Skjelsbæk (inger@prio.org) and Cc Advisor Catarina Barbieri (catbar@prio.org).

Submit the following documents in English and PDF format by accessing PRIO’s careers webpage and clicking on "APPLY" by 20 March 2026:

A 1-2 page cover letter in English that addresses the requirements for the position as described above and the motivation for applying.
A curriculum vitae in English, including a list of any publications.
One academic writing sample (e.g. MA thesis).
Diplomas and transcripts of grades (combined in a single PDF file).
A PhD project description of max. 6 (six) pages (including references) in English, outlining the following:
- Which aspects of the RECON proposal do you find most interesting or relevant, and why?
- How will your research fit in with the overall objectives and research questions of RECON?
- Which research question(s) will the PhD project address, and how?
- How will you organize and manage the data collection and analysis?
- Tentative descriptions of the articles to be included in the PhD dissertation
- A progress plan for your three-year doctoral research, including start and end dates, key milestones, potential risks and mitigation strategy?
- Tentative list of PhD programs you plan to apply for.
In the online form, please list 2 (two) references (name, relationship to the candidate, e-mail, and phone number). Please note that references will only be contacted after the interview stage.

Contacts

Questions regarding the position, as well as requests for the RECON project description, can be addressed to Senior Researcher Inger Skjelsbæk (inger@prio.org) and Cc Advisor Catarina Barbieri (catbar@prio.org).

For information about the recruitment process or the submission of your application, please contact Advisor Catarina Barbieri (catbar@prio.org), tel. +47 916 94 674

Doctoral researcher on knowledge and reconciliation in the Norwegian South Saami area