University of Oslo PhD Research Fellowships in Human Geography 2026 – Fully Funded Research Positions in Norway

Overview

The University of Oslo is recruiting one to two PhD Research Fellows in human geography within its Department of Sociology and Human Geography. Fellows develop an independent doctoral project under supervision, take part in the Faculty of Social Sciences' organised research education programme and work towards a doctorate. Appointees are admitted automatically to the relevant PhD programme.

The posts are full-time and fixed-term. A fellow can be appointed for three years with no compulsory work, or for four years with 25% compulsory work, mainly teaching. The department's research strengths include urban studies, sustainable transformations, work and organisations, politics, social inequality, migration, integration, population dynamics, economic geography and political geography. Projects outside these themes may be proposed, though those matching the department's research and supervisory capacity may be favoured.

Who can apply

Applicants need a master's degree in human geography or an equivalent qualification, or another background that gives adequate preparation if they show their project fits human geography. They must have education equal to five years of Norwegian university study, including a two-year master's of 120 ECTS credits, and an average grade of A or B at master's level. Holders of a one-year master's must submit a one-page appeal for individual assessment showing research work equal to at least half a year. Those educated outside the EU/EEA who are not native English speakers and did not complete an English-language master's must document English, for example TOEFL 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based, or IELTS 6.0.

What you get

The salary is NOK 551,000 to NOK 594,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience, with a 2% contribution to the State Pension Fund. Fellows join Statens Pensjonskasse, with pension, mortgage and insurance benefits, and can use up to 1.5 hours of exercise per week during working hours. Residence in Norway is expected, and the start date is negotiated.

How to apply

Documents are uploaded separately and in order, in English or a Scandinavian language: an application letter, a tentative project proposal of about 5 to 10 pages, a CV, transcripts, the master's diploma, the master's thesis, a grading-system explanation where relevant and English test results where applicable. The proposal must cover topic, theory, methods, timeline and its contribution to human geography at the department, and must include a paragraph on whether and how artificial intelligence was used. Selection weighs the proposal, thesis quality, grades, personal suitability, supervisory capacity and interview performance.

Key dates

The application deadline is 15 August 2026.