At the Department of Design there are two vacancies for PhD positions (100 %), for a fixed-term period of four years of which 25% comprises required duties.

About the project/work tasks:

We are calling for artistic research proposals in which design practice is central to explore our complex entanglements with the world.  We are looking for candidates who are accomplished practitioners in the design areas Visual communications or Spatial design and who can perform research through design.

The Department of Design prioritizes research projects that can contribute to sustainable development, people- and environment-friendly structures and materials, and humanistic and ethical communication, connected to our prioritised research areas:

Social re-imagining
Ecological agency
Technology and materiality

Artistic research at the Department of Design at KMD should be reflective, process-driven, and critical, generating new knowledge responding to the current challenges and needs within different cultural, social and political systems.

We are looking for PhD candidates who will push the boundaries of design, challenge any established notions of what design is, what design can be and do.

Applications will be assessed according to the criteria in the PhD program description as well as the artistic practise and research competence at the department.

Project description

The project description should place the project in a subject/research field within design, and present the theme, issues, context, methodology, use of theory and choice of work, presentation, and dissemination forms. The project description shall present the project’s position in, and artistic relevance to, the academic environment at the department, and account for the specific needs for professional and material resources, as well as any legal and ethical issues. Applicants must disclose any potential collaborating institutions and cooperation partners. We also request a separate progression plan for different parts of the project. We encourage applicants to contact a potential supervisor in the department to consider the relevance of the project idea for the research environment and possibilities for supervision.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in design. The degree must be completed within the application deadline.
Applicants must have experience in artistic (design) practice and production at a high level.
Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and have the ability to cooperate with others.
Applicants must have good written and verbal English skills.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities/ personal aptitude. Ambitions and potential will also be considered when assessing candidates.

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

About the research training: As a PhD candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty within three months after you have started work in the position. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

The required work constitutes 25% of the position and can be structured as an integral part of the total employment period of 4 years.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position.

The faculty will normally require residency in Bergen.

We can offer:

Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
Salary according to the the civil service salary scale. This currently constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 501 200. Further promotion is made according to length of service.
Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

Project description of maximum 3000 words.
Documentation of relevant artistic production
Documentation (confirmation) of formal professional competence. The documentation of education should include documentation of completed BA and MA with diploma, transcript and Diploma Supplement (or similar) as well as authorized translation if the language is any other than Nordic/English.
Budget (see our website, and template for budget).
Progression plan.
Proposed supervisor.

Your application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge. Documentation that has not been uploaded by the application deadline will not be considered.

No written assessment of applications will be sent out.

General information:

Detailed information about this appointment may be obtained by contacting: Head of Department Mona Larsen, e-mail mona.l@uib.no

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are three departments at Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design. Read more about the faculty and departments.