Associate Professor in Art or Visual Culture before 1000 CE

Job description

We welcome applications for a tenured position in art and visual or material culture broadly defined chronologically and geographically to encompass all ancient worlds up to approximately 1000 CE (including, but not limited to Ancient Greek and Near-Eastern art, Islamic art, Pre-Columbian art, as well as art from the African continent and Central- and South Asia). Attention to the interconnections of a given area with other parts of the world
are especially welcome, as the department supports cross-regional, transnational, and transcultural modes of analysis. We further encourage applications from scholars who combine art or architectural historical research with archaeological expertise or who focus on the material aspects of their research objects.

Open to a wide range of geographical, chronological, and material focus areas, emphasis will be placed on the applicants’ ability to relate their expertise and theoretical or methodological perspectives to the ongoing research and teaching of the academic group. 

The position is equally divided between research and teaching. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of ongoing research initiatives and promote and lead research projects.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching courses on MA and BA levels. Additionally, the candidate will teach parts of the department’s introductory courses in art history and visual studies according to the candidate’s field of expertise. The position further includes supervising MA students and PhD candidates, exam setting and assessment at all levels, and carrying out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the Department.

For information about our research groups 

For information about our BA-program (Norwegian only)

For information about our MA-programs

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications within art history and visual studies with a specialisation in the art, visual and material culture of the ancient worlds broadly defined up to 1000 CE.
• Teaching experience in art history and visual studies, with documented ability to teach courses on all levels as well as supervise MA and PhD theses.
• Documented pedagogical skills (either a teaching course certificate or based on teaching experience), see how to document your pedagogical skills
• Documented potential for project acquisition
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Academic qualifications and academic production in art history and visual studies, with emphasis on works published within the last 5 years. Originality and innovative thinking will be weighted more heavily than quantity. Academic production will be evaluated in relation to the career stage of individual applicants.
• Necessary language competence for conducting research, as well as historical and contextual knowledge.
• Experience with initiating and conducting larger research projects.
• International peer-reviewed publications.
• Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department.
• Pedagogical qualifications, documented results from teaching and supervision, and disposition to inspire students.
• Interest and ability in leadership and administration
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration.
• Experience with and ability to build international networks.
• Skills within popular dissemination, public outreach, and innovation.

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

The successful candidate should demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, s/he is expected to reach proficiency equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) within two years. Within three years the appointee is expected to, in Norwegian, be able to actively participate in all functions the position may involve, including teaching. The Faculty of Humanities will aid and facilitate the appointee in reaching said proficiency.

We offer

• Salary NOK 646 000 – 745 000 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits
• The opportunity to  apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interest)
• Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications)
• Complete list of published and unpublished works

Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language), either in the original or in translation.

Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range of qualifications and criteria described in the announcement of the post with concrete examples.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, Jobbnorge.

Selection procedure

As the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to 10 publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last 5 years, to be considered as most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages.

Applicants are further asked to submit a description of one or more research projects considered relevant for the Department.

Applicants are also asked to submit a Educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is anchored in the SoTL criteria (focus on student learning, development over time, a research approach and a collegial attitude and practice)

Finally, the most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

Please see the rules for appointments to Associate Professorships.

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period. Please see the rules for practicing the requirement for basic university pedagogical competence at UiO.

Within his/her normal duties and in accordance with his/her academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside his/her Department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the Department.

According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.