Phd positions - Digitalisation and Society

Project description 

The PhD programme fosters interdisciplinary research related to the interplay between society and digitalisation. The development of digital technology and its integration into a range of different areas and levels in society fundamentally change the way we act and interact with our surroundings. This includes how we learn and teach, deliver healthcare and welfare services, conduct business, manage and evolve organisations, and shape public policy in a digital context, as well as how we develop new technologies. Each of these areas presents pressing needs for new knowledge and critical inquiry. A more detailed description of the programme’s scope, along with practical information, is available on our website. 

The PhD programme is anchored in a solid interdisciplinary research environment at Østfold University College. As a PhD Reseach Fellow you will become a member of a research community at our institution, and at least one of your supervisors will be employed at Østfold University College.  

The scope for this call is the full thematic range of our programme delimited by four partly overlapping Digi-thematic areas that are in themselves interdisciplinary. You can read more about these Digi-thematic areas by using the links below:  

• DigiEd 
• DigiHealth 
• DigiTech 
• DigiWork 

All applicants must submit a project proposal that falls within the scope of the PhD programme when applying for the position. 

The theme of the PhD project can be relevant to one or several of these Digi-thematic areas. It is decisive that both digitalisation issues and societal concerns are addressed as part of the application. The responsibility lies with the applicant to decide what aspects are considered foreground and background in their specific project, and as well as how these elements are interwoven.

Applicants must explore the research communities at Østfold University College and contact relevant research groups and/or staff members to discuss the potential PhD position. The PhD project will be supervised by experienced researchers, and preferably from different disciplines to ensure an interdisciplinary PhD project.  

Applicants must indicate which Digi-thematic area(s) the project relates to in the application letter, as well as one or more preferred supervisors. This must be confirmed in a Letter of recommendation from the supervisor employed at Østfold University College.  

Please find information about our researchers and research groups on our webpages www.hiof.no and/or contact us for further information. Please find contact details below. 

About the PhD Research fellowship  

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is a full time (100%) fixed term position for 3 years funded by Østfold University College. 

The candidate will be employed at Østfold University College. The candidate is expected to apply and be accepted in our Doctoral Programme “Digitalisation and Society”. Read more on our website: Digitalisation and Society 

Estimated starting date: as soon as the hiring process is completed and preferably no later than 1st of August 2026.

The candidate is expected to:

• Participate actively in relevant research activities organized by the research community.
• Disseminate the project’s research findings through high-quality scientific publications.

Video: https://youtu.be/UDMirdRpu4w

About the position 

We are looking for highly motivated candidates capable of identifying relevant research questions and developing high-quality project proposals within the thematic scope of the PhD programme Digitalisation and Society. 

PhD Reseach Fellows are expected to actively engage in our research community. This involves having Østfold University College as your primary workplace, maintaining a regular presence on campus, and participating in seminars, research group meetings, and other academic activities. Through this involvement, PhD candidates contribute to the strong and vibrant research environment at our institution. 

Our PhD programme spans all three faculties at Østfold University College. The thematic scope of each PhD Reseach Fellow’s project will determine which faculty the PhD Reseach Fellow will be affiliated with, and consequently, which Vice-Dean they will report to. Contact details below. 

Qualification requirements 

The successful candidate is required to have 

• completed a master's degree or second degree (normally equivalent to 120 credits according to Norwegian standard definitions) relevant for the project description and the intended area of research. Candidates that are close to completion may also be evaluated. Any appointment is conditional upon submission of documentation confirming completion of a master’s degree at the required level. 
• been awarded the grade B or better for the Master thesis - in terms of the Norwegian grading scale. If the research summary is of excellent quality, grade C candidates may be considered.  
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English. For international candidates (outside of EU/EEA area), approved TOEFL English proficiency test with min score 90 or IELTS test with min. score 7.5. 
• sufficient oral and written skills in a Scandinavian language if the proposed project requires such skills. 

Desired qualifications

We would like you to have

• an average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree of B or better in terms of the Norwegian grading scale.
• relevant work and/or academic experience.

Personal qualifications

The successful candidate has

• motivation and potential in the field of research.
• the ability to work in a project team and take responsibility for own research goals.
• good communication and collaboration skills and the ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities.

Emphasis will be placed on the following

In the evaluation of the applicants, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the following:

• Quality and relevance of the project proposal 
• Prior academic and/or research performance 
• Prior relevant work experience (if applicable) 

We offer

• a gross annual salary between NOK 550 800 - 570 000, and automatically development with a 3 % annual increase during the period. In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 
• an exciting job opportunity at Østfold University College. 
• participation in a new interdisciplinary doctoral programme and a research group where the project is located. 
• beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund. 
• good employee welfare arrangements. 
• working locations at Østfold University College, Halden or Fredrikstad (Norway).

Submitting an application  

Please submit your application electronically via our recruitment system Jobbnorge.no. All attached documentation must be in a Scandinavian language or in English.

Application must include the following: 

• Letter of motivation: a one-page document that briefly outlines your qualifications and relevant skills and explains your motivation for applying for this PhD position. 
• Curriculum vitae: please use the CV template in the Jobbnorge portal. Your CV must clearly demonstrate that the academic requirements are met. 
• A project proposal of maximum 6 pages, not including references. You must use our PhD project proposal template
• A list of publications (if applicable). Include a short description of your contribution in multi-authored publications.
• Letter of recommendation from an intended supervisor employed at Østfold University College [use this template]. Important: Your application will not be evaluated if this is not included.
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records. Higher education taken outside the Nordic countries must be documented with a dated and signed diploma/certificate and a transcript of grades in the original language. If the original language is not English or a Nordic language, you must also enclose an official translation. Foreign applicants must attach an official description of the grading system issued by the university where the degree was obtained, if not included in the Diploma Supplement.
• Approved TOEFL English proficiency test with min score 90 or IELTS test with min. score 7.5 (for international candidates outside of EU/EEA area).

All attachments must be included electronically in the Jobbnorge portal within the application deadline. Østfold University College may require supplementary documentation at a later stage, if necessary. 

Documents to be sent as hard copies by post

Applicants with degrees from: Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines and the USA must send their transcripts and diploma of master’s and bachelor’s education as hard copies directly from the relevant college/university, in addition to uploading them online. The hard copies must be received by us within 4 weeks after the application deadline expires. 

To send hard copies to HiØ, please use the following address:

Høgskolen i Østfold
HR-section
Postboks 700
1757 HALDEN

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Admission and appointment 

The PhD position will normally be a full time (100 %) fixed term position for 3 years. The position is fully funded by Østfold University College. 

The successful applicant employed at Østfold University College must apply for admission to Østfold University College’s PhD programme Digitalisation and Society. 

Admission to the doctoral programme Digitalisation and Society is a condition for appointment as a research fellow. The final plan for research training shall be approved and regulated by contract at the latest three months after the appointment is taken up.

The successful candidate will receive assistance in the application process to the PhD programme Digitalisation and Society at Østfold University College when starting in the position.  

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the State Employees law, the act relating to Universities and Universities Colleges and the national guidelines for appointment as a PhD student, a postdoctoral fellow or a research assistant. 

Contact persons 

Note that all applicants are required to contact a supervisor employed at Østfold University College and provide a Letter of recommendation from this person. 

For information about the possible fields of study and reseach environments at Østfold University Collge, please contact the Vice-Dean of the faculty of interest

• Faculty of Health, Welfare and Organisation: Ann Chatrin Leonardsen, ann.c.leonardsen@hiof.no 
• Faculty of Computer Science, Engineering and Economics Susanne Koch Stigberg, susanne.k.stigberg@hiof.no   
• Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages Øyvind Gjems Fjeldbu, oyvind.g.fjeldbu@hiof.no 

For information about the ph.d.-programme as such, please contact the PhD Senior Advisor Liv Simensen, +47 69 60 85 61, e-mail: liv.simensen@hiof.no  

For general questions about the hiring process, please contact HR Senior Advisor: Hilde Gunn Avløyp, +47 69 60 82 97, e-mail: hildegav@hiof.no

Other information

The university college is committed to fostering a diverse and gender-balanced workforce. We seek employees with diverse skills, academic backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CVs, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview.

In accordance with the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25, paragraph 2, information about the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not to be included on the list of applicants.

If you disclose that you have an immigrant background, disability, or gaps in your CV, this information, in anonymized form, may be used for statistical purposes.