Three PhD Research Fellows in Psychosocial Work Environment and Major Accident Risk

University of Stavanger; Stavanger; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Doctoral training

Interdisciplinary project

Relocation support

Free language courses

Flexible working arrangements

Salary according to State Salary Scale

Job summary

The University of Stavanger invites applications for three PhD Research Fellows to investigate how the psychosocial work environment shapes major accident risk in the petroleum industry. The project PSYCHMAJOR is a collaboration with NTNU and industry partners, hosted at UiS Business School in Ullandhaug, Stavanger, with travel for data collection anticipated.

Eligible applicants will conduct both qualitative and quantitative research, contribute to seminars, and pursue a doctoral thesis aligned

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for admission.

Responsibilities

• Developing an integrated theoretical framework for the psychosocial work environment and major accident risk.
• Conducting quantitative analyses of relationships between the work environment, safety behaviour and safety incidents.
• Conducting qualitative studies of the mechanisms linking psychosocial factors to safety‑critical processes.
• Developing and evaluating interventions targeting the work environment and safety.
• Studying how organisational and technological change processes affect the work environment and major accident risk.

Job description

Three PhD Research Fellows in Psychosocial Work Environment and Major Accident Risk

How Does the Work Environment Shape Major Accident Risk?

Research Topic

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the research project Psychosocial Factors and Major Accident Risk in the Petroleum Industry (PSYCHMAJOR). The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, Equinor and Vår Energi. It will run from 2027 to 2030 as a collaboration between the University of Stavanger, NTNU Samfunnsforskning AS, SINTEF, NTNU, Equinor and Vår Energi, and will be led by NTNU Social Research AS.

Major accidents in the petroleum industry are rarely caused by a single technical failure. They often arise from complex interactions between technology, organisational conditions and human actions. However, we still know too little about the role of the psychosocial work environment in the development of major accident risk.

• Developing an integrated theoretical framework for the psychosocial work environment and major accident risk
• Conducting quantitative analyses of relationships between the work environment, safety behaviour and safety incidents
• Conducting qualitative studies of the mechanisms linking psychosocial factors to safety‑critical processes
• Developing and evaluating interventions targeting the work environment and safety
• Studying how organisational and technological change processes affect the work environment and major accident risk

The PhD Research Fellows will join PSYCHMAJOR’s research group. Participation in the project’s seminars, meetings and other activities will be important for the fellow’s academic and social integration. The doctoral research must be relevant to the project as a whole, and the doctoral thesis will form part of the project’s scientific outputs.

PSYCHMAJOR will use both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The project includes analyses of extensive data on the psychosocial work environment and safety incidents, interviews, document analyses, observations and workshops, as well as the development and evaluation of organisational interventions. The doctoral project may adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approach, depending on the research questions developed. We therefore welcome applicants with different methodological backgrounds.

The workplace will be the UiS Business School’s premises at Ullandhaug in Stavanger. Some travel for data collection, meetings and other project activities should be expected.

English Language Requirements

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required for admission to the PhD programme.

International applicants who do not qualify for one of the exemptions listed below must document their English language proficiency by submitting a valid test result from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 90/4.5
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.5
• Cambridge English: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): minimum score of 62

You are exempt from this requirement if you:

• have completed at least one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
• have completed a master's degree taught in English in an EU/EEA country or in India
• qualify for an exemption according to the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) GSU list
• do not fall within any of the exemption categories listed above, but have resided in Norway for the past five years.

As a PhD Fellow at UiS, you will receive

• Doctoral research training at a large institution with an important societal mission
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD as part of a major interdisciplinary research project in close collaboration with the petroleum industry
• The opportunity to work in a stimulating academic environment with a strong research community and an employer that prioritises academic excellence and an inclusive working environment
• The opportunity to undertake a research stay abroad
• Considerable academic autonomy and freedom to develop your own research interests and networks within the scope of the project
• Flexible working arrangements
• Office space at our premises at Ullandhaug and the option to work from home
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys, a digital service that supports mental health and well‑being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, code 1017, NOK 580.000 gross per year, with salary progression during the employment period. A statutory 2% contribution is deducted for membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens pensjonskasse), which provides favourable pension and insurance schemes
• favourable membership terms at SiS Sports Centre and the university sports club
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation committed to reducing sick leave and promoting an inclusive working life
• access to the Hjem‑jobb‑hjem programme, offering discounted public transportation to and from work
• relocation support
• access to comprehensive health services, generous parental leave arrangements and a well‑developed welfare system.