About the position

A fixed-term 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Humanities and Education as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in European Languages in Post-Colonial Africa: Historical Perspectives (1950-1990), affiliated to the Department of Religion, Philosophy and History, for a period of 3 years. The position is located at Campus Kristiansand. The preferred starting date is the beginning of 2027.

The position is linked to UiA’s research groups “Claimed Pasts: Critical Knowledge and Heritage Production” and “Language and Power.”

Applicants are invited to suggest an empirically and theoretically sound research project which conceptualizes language, and specifically the role of European languages, as an historical object, heuristic device, and analytical lens for understanding African decolonization as a historical process. Their research project might, for example, address

the role language played for anticolonial mobilization or post-colonial nation- and state-building processes
the late- or post-colonial connections between language, education, and development
the role language played for inter- and transnational collaboration and institutions
language in relation to African subjectivities, collective identities, and social distinction

Ideally, gender should be a central analytical category rather than an add-on variable in the research project. If convincingly conceptualized, any geographic or linguistic area within Africa and its diaspora is pertinent. Projects that place their research topic in a comparative and connective context and converse with discussions in global history will be particularly relevant.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be supported by and is expected to contribute actively to both research groups. They will work closely with Professor Christoph Kalter who is a member of both groups. More specifically, the successful candidate will:

Conduct research on the project they proposed and publish three single-author articles in leading historical journals.
Co-organize an authors’ workshop for and co-edit a special issue on (post-) colonial African language histories in a leading historical journal.
Participate in activities and meetings in the research groups.
Contribute to writing grant applications in the research groups.
Contribute to teaching and supervision activities at the department.

Required qualifications

PhD in history, preferentially in African history. Candidates must have obtained their doctorate or have submitted their doctoral thesis before the appointment decision is made and must have defended their thesis by the starting date.
Familiarity with transnational and global history approaches.
Experience with archival research.
Excellent written and spoken English.
Language skills required to conduct the research they proposed.
The applicants must have excellent international publications or concrete plans for such publications based on their PhD. Furthermore, the applicants must demonstrate strong potential for excellent international publications based on the project proposal they submit.

Criteria for positions as Post-doctoral Research Fellow (in Norwegian).

Desired qualifications

It is hoped that applicants will have defended their thesis during the last five years.
Having done historical work on language previously will be considered a plus but is not a requirement.
Previous experience with international academic mobility will be considered a plus but is not a requirement.
Familiarity with academic institutions and archival research on the African continent will be considered a plus but is not a requirement.
Interest in interdisciplinary learning and conversation.

Personal qualities

Willingness to work as part of a team.
Scientific ambition, curiosity, and creativity.
Good communication and team-working skills.
Independence, inventiveness, and a proactive attitude.
Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
Accuracy, punctuality, and attention to detail.
Patience, commitment, and concentration.
Ability to work and deliver under pressure.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1352, NOK 600 000 – 650 000 gross salary per year. Higher salary grades may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are especially encouraged to apply for the position.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.

Read more about the employment process.

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

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

An application letter in English that addresses the desired qualifications for the position as described above.
A curriculum vitae in English, including a complete list of publications.
Certificates with grades.
A project proposal in English of minimum 4, maximum 7 pages, complete with references, preliminary information about the primary sources that the project intends to analyze and their accessibility, and a project schedule. If you used any AI-tools in writing your proposal, please make sure to include a research-ethical note explaining which tasks you used them for and how.
List of reference persons: 2-3 references to be contacted at the final stage of the application process.
Doctoral thesis.
Up to 4 academic articles, book chapters, or other relevant writings which the candidate wishes to particularly emphasize for the assessment process.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. Application letter, CV and project proposal must be submitted in English. All other documentation may be submitted in English or in a Scandinavian language (Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish), French, Portuguese or Spanish.

In assessing the applications, particular emphasis will be placed on the quality and suitability of the project proposal and the likelihood that the project can be completed within the time allotted. Personal suitability and motivation, including the willingness to be physically present in Kristiansand during the working week, will also be of particular importance.

Application deadline: 15.09.2026

Contact

For questions about the position:

Professor Christoph Kalter, tel. +47 38 14 24 17, e-mail christoph.kalter@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

HR advisor Thomas Gårder Brendefur, tel. +47 38 14 27 79 mobile +47 938 58 801, e-mail thomas.g.brendefur@uia.no

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