PhD Research Fellow in Social Science – Sport and Work (1-2 positions)

Nord University; Norway; On-site; NOK 480,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious Norwegian university is seeking a PhD Research Fellow to explore the intersection of sport, organization, and working life. The successful candidate will join an active research group focusing on contemporary issues in sport, including working conditions and professionalization within various contexts. Applicants should possess a relevant Bachelor’s and Master's degree, strong English skills, and demonstrate a solid academic background. This full-time position is based in Bodø with a temporary contract of up to four years.

Qualifications

• Applicants must meet the grade requirements for PhD admission (typically a B average).
• A final project proposal must be approved within three months of employment.
• Strong English skills, both written and oral, are required.

Responsibilities

• Explore working conditions and organizational practices in sport.
• Engage in research related to sport and working life.
• Conduct teaching depending on faculty needs.

Skills

Solid knowledge of social science theories and methods

Strong English skills

Experience in voluntary organizations

Academic background in social sciences

Education

Bachelor’s and master’s degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company Nord University Department Research & Development Research Field Sociology » Sociology of labour Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Norway Application Deadline 20 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About the position

Nord University’s Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for 1-2 temporary full‑time positions as PhD Research Fellow in Social Science, with a thematic focus on sport, organization, and working life. The position is affiliated with the Research group for Sport and Society (RESPONSE ), and linked to the specialization Social Policy and Welfare in the PhD programme.

The appointment period is normally three years without teaching duties, but a four‑year period with 25 % duties may be considered. Duties may include teaching and/or research‑related tasks depending on the candidate’s competence and faculty needs.

The RESPONSE research group has an active environment in social science sports research. This PhD position is linked to the group’s ongoing research profiles and invites studies of working life in sport and organisational aspects of sport. The professionalisation of sport in various national and international context has made sport an increasingly integral part of the labour market, with a growing presence of paid roles and commercial actors within the voluntary sector. This PhD position offers the opportunity to explore how shifts in the relationships among public, private, and voluntary actors impact working conditions and organisational practices in the sport field.

Potential project topics include:

• working conditions in sport
• recruitment and career trajectories of volunteer leaders
• young athletes, labour migration, and vulnerability in professional sport
• voluntary organisations as employers
• and the professionalization of expertise beyond core sporting activities (e.g. finance, environment and sustainability, marketing)
• increasing professionalisation of sport and its implications for children’s and youth sport
• new forms of collaboration between voluntary, private, and public sectors (hybridisation)

The position is based in Bodø and physical presence during working hours is expected. If required duties are assigned, tasks may also be carried out at other Nord University campuses.

Qualification requirements

• To be admitted to the PhD programme, applicants must hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree (120 ECTS), or equivalent, in a relevant social science discipline and/or history. Applicants with degrees in the humanities or other relevant fields may be considered on an individual basis.
• Candidates must demonstrate solid knowledge of relevant social science theories and methods necessary to carry out the proposed PhD project.
• Admission to the faculty’s PhD programme is a prerequisite. See admission requirements: PhD in Social Science
• Applicants must meet the grade requirements for PhD admission (typically a B average in the master’s degree).
• Strong English skills, both written and oral, are required. For applicants from outside the Nordic countries, documentation may be required (see PhD regulations, section 6‑1). The dissertation may be written in English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language).
• A final project proposal must be approved and formalized within three months of employment.
• Candidates who already hold a PhD are not eligible.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria

• Academic background and grades from master’s studies
• Knowledge of sport organization at national and/or international levels
• Experience from voluntary organizations (e.g., leadership roles, board positions in sports organizations)
• Research experience
• Relevant academic background
• Personal suitability
• Motivation and feasibility of the proposed PhD project
• Excellent loan, insurance, and pension schemes
• A creative and collegial work environment
• Active university sports teams

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified
candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply.

If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

The faculty reserves the right not to appoint candidates who are academically qualified but for whom adequate supervision cannot be provided.

Application requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically by January 20, 2026.

The application should include:

• Project proposal (approx. 5–7 pages) outlining the PhD idea, theoretical framework, methodological approach, and progress plan
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience, list of publications if applicable)
• Diplomas and official transcripts from bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and other relevant certificates
• Documentation that all requirements for admission to the PhD programme are met
• Digital version or link to completed master’s thesis and any other academic work
• Names and contact information for 2–3 references (name, relationship, email, phone number)
• Applicants from countries outside Scandinavia must include a Diploma Supplement in English or in a Scandinavian language
• Other relevant activities to be considered in the evaluation
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA area may be asked to provide additional documentation of their education

All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

A public list of applicants will be prepared after the deadline. Please note that information about applicants may be disclosed even if a request for confidentiality has been made. Applicants requesting confidentiality must justify this in the application. They will be notified in advance if disclosure is necessary.

Reference number: 30084229

Nord University