Associate Professor in Global Development Studies

About the position

A permanent 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Social Sciences, as Associate Professor in Global Development Studies, at the Department of Global Development and Planning. The position is based at Campus Kristiansand, with a desired start date at the earliest possible convenience, to be negotiated with the faculty.

The Faculty of Social Sciences has four departments: The Department of Global Development and Planning, the Department of Information Systems, the Department of Sociology and Social Work, and the Department of Political Science.

The Department of Global Development and Planninghosts Norway’s oldest academic community within global development studies and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes in global development, planning, and communication. The department is highly interdisciplinary, with staff backgrounds in human geography, sociology, media studies, gender studies, anthropology, philosophy, political science, global development studies, and planning studies.

Teaching and research at the department focus on themes such as globalization, culture and social change, political economy and political ecology, sustainability, democracy, communication, media critique and media literacy, migration and mobility, urban and regional planning, as well as various forms of social and economic transitions, crises, and transformations. The department currently has 16 permanent academic staff, 12 PhD candidates, and 3 postdoctoral researchers.

Responsibilities

We are looking for applicants with strong expertise in key areas of development studies, such as globalization, mobility, democracy, social inequality, civil society, diversity, media critique and literacy, and communication, combined with solid skills in research methods. The successful candidate will mainly teach and supervise at the bachelor’s level and should demonstrate both commitment to and experience with undergraduate teaching. Interest in, and experience with, teaching across the department’s programmes in global development, planning, and communication will be considered an advantage.

Empirical research and/or professional experience from countries in the Global South, or other relevant contexts, will be highly valued.

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring strong teamwork skills and experience in coordination and academic leadership. As departmental responsibilities are shared among staff members, including programme leadership and departmental management, such experience will be considered a clear strength.

The person hired will be affiliated with one of the department's research groups/centers. Read more here.

Required qualifications

• PhD degree in Global Development Studies, or a closely related field, from a Norwegian or accredited foreign university.
• Documented teaching experience.
• Experience in supervising bachelor’s students.
• Experience with coordination and/or academic leadership.
• Experience working with actors beyond academia, and/or practical fieldwork experience related to development and/or planning.
• Experience disseminating research through academic journals and other scholarly publications.

• Fluency in English, both oral and written.

  Criteria for educational competence for Associate Professor at UiA.

Desired qualifications

• Experience in building international collaborations and/or organizing field courses.
• Experience in educational management, including planning, delivery, evaluation, and development of teaching and supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to working in cross-disciplinary academic environments.
• An established professional network with individuals and institutions relevant to global development and/or planning.
• Experience disseminating research beyond traditional academic venues (e.g. policy briefs, media, popular science publications, or public engagement).
• Experience with teaching in Scandinavian higher education systems.
• Experience with external funding

The working language at the University of Agder is Norwegian. Since the position involves teaching at both bachelor’s and master’s levels in Global Development Studies, proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language (oral and written) is highly desirable.

The faculty will increase the number of externally funded research projects in the years ahead, and applicants are encouraged to describe their plans for such project applications in the coming years in their application letter.

The University of Agder is a signatory of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and values diverse forms of research contributions and career experiences. We welcome applications from early career researchers and recognize a broad range of outputs and competences, including societal engagement, teamwork, and interdisciplinarity.

Personal qualities

We are looking for candidates who:

• Show strong engagement in the field of global development.
• Have a clear focus on teaching bachelor’s students and on dissemination.
• Value teamwork and collaboration.
• Possess strong intercultural and communicative skills.

Personal qualities and overall suitability for the position will carry considerable weight. 

The appointment will be based on a holistic assessment of each applicant’s scientific and teaching qualifications relevant to the department’s programmes. In ranking candidates, we will also emphasize how well their specialization aligns with the department’s needs and complements the expertise of the existing academic staff.

We offer

• A variety of responsibilities in a large, dynamic, and socially influential organisation.
• A position with opportunities for professional development in a diverse academic environment.
• Modern facilities and a comprehensive welfare scheme.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

For more information, see Working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.510 Associate Professor, NOK 780 000 – 850 000 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.

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. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews and a demonstration of their teaching competency, usually in the form of a trial lecture. With permission from the applicant the university also will conduct a reference check before appointment. The final recommendation will be an overall assessment based on the expert assessment, the trial lecture, the interview(s) and references. 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:

• CV
• Diplomas and certificates
• List of publications
• Up to 10 academic articles
• Future research plans (up to 5 pages)
• Documentation of educational competence (if available)
• Documentation of outreach and research dissemination (if available)
• Other relevant attachments (if applicable)

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. 

The Competence Assessment Matrix for teaching and research positions at the University of Agder can be a useful tool for documenting and reflecting on one’s own competence in relation to the criteria.

Application deadline: November 2nd 2025

Contact

For questions about the position:

Arnhild Leer-Helgesen, Study program leader Bachelor in Global Development Studies, tel. +47 38 14 15 37, mobile  +47 901 89 627, e-mail arnhild.leer-helgesen@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

Anna Færavaag, senior advicer HR, tel. +47 38 14 24 14, mobile +47 974 29 499, e-mail anna.c.faravaag@uia.no

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

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