About the chairs and the Academic Chair Programme
The academic chairs are at the heart of our cooperation process. They tie our nine universities together, develop joint initiatives in line with project goals, co-create new opportunities for students, academic staff and partners, and connect Circle U. to society in innovative and meaningful ways.
The main role and mission of the academic chairs are to:
- Develop and lead challenge based as well as trans- and interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research initiatives
- Link education and research within and across disciplines
- Engage students to take an active role in knowledge creation and socially engaged research and innovation
- Stimulate new models of academic collaboration and partnership, and share them across the alliance
- Contribute to the realisation of EU-funded projects
- Represent and champion Circle U. internally, nationally, and internationally, as well as with external stakeholders
Each academic chair works primarily within one platform or hub alongside chairs from other universities.
Application deadline: 20 September 2023
We aim to recruit scientific staff from a wide range of disciplines to cover the following knowledge hubs and platforms:
One position as Academic Chair for the Knowledge Hub on Climate
In the Knowledge Hub Climate, the appointed chair is expected to actively contribute to the activities of the Hub and help develop the interdisciplinary Circle U. network of teaching and research activities around the key themes of climate, i.e. climate science, climate research, climate change and climate mitigation. The chair will contribute to shape and promote the Hub’s various activities. Specifically, this could involve contributing to the development of joint courses or joint study modules for BA, MA and PhD students; contributions to shorter training programmes and summer or winter schools. The chair is also expected to contribute to the Climate Hub’s research and dissemination activities through research seminars or workshops. Chairs are in general expected to use the Circle U. network to develop joint research proposals.
Two positions as Academic Chairs for the Knowledge Hub on Democracy
In the Knowledge Hub Democracy, appointed chairs are expected to activity contribute to the activities of the Hub and continue and extend the interdisciplinary Circle U. network of teachers and researchers. As work on a joint master program in Public Governance has already started, it is important that this process is continued as part of the Hub. New initiatives are especially welcome at BA and PhD level, including joint study modules and courses at BA level, shorter training programmes, and summer and winter schools. Chairs are in general also expected to explore possibilities for developing joint research proposals, building bridges between the educational offers and research.
One position as Academic Chair for the Knowledge Hub on Global Health
In the Knowledge Hub Global Health, the appointed chair is expected to actively contribute to the activities of the Hub to continue and extend current interactions around prevention, environmental and global mental health, migration and infectious diseases, as well as issues on decolonisation, democracy and the economics of global health. The chair will contribute to strengthening education, research collaboration, and advocacy between and beyond the chairs of the Hub and across European and international institutions. The chair should have knowledge of the health sector, enjoy interdisciplinary interaction, and rely on a strong team spirit. Chairs are in general expected to use the Circle U. network to develop joint research proposals.
One position as Academic Chair for the Circle U. Teaching Innovation Lab (CU.til)
In the CU.til, the appointed chair is expected to actively contribute to the development and implementation of innovative learning formats and to share their experience with peers. The chairs will generate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge, connect research and education through pedagogical experiments, bring research closer to practice, and promote innovative approaches to pedagogy. The chair will work closely with existing teaching and learning centres within the alliance. Experience and interest for developing digital learning environments, and/or fostering new ways of designing student-active learning formats is an advantage. Chairs are in general expected to use the Circle U. network to develop joint research proposals.
One position as Academic Chair for Circle U. Multilingualism, Interculturality and Language Lab (CU.mil)
In the CU.mil, the appointed chair is expected to actively contribute to the development and dissemination of language or intercultural learning initiatives for students and staff. The chair can also contribute to the development of evidence-based language policies for Circle U. and beyond. CU.mil chairs’ areas of research and expertise may include language acquisition, linguistics (applied, socio, corpus, computational), pluri/multilingualism, intercultural communication, etc. Moreover, they should have experience in designing and delivering language or intercultural teaching/learning activities. Chairs are in general expected to use the Circle U. network to develop joint research proposals.
Profile of candidates
Beyond a strong academic and scientific profile, expertise and experience in fields directly related to the platform the candidate is applying for, we are looking for people who can bring exciting and innovative ideas, an interdisciplinary profile, and a strong commitment for developing Circle U. as an alliance. The academic chairs are expected to have a strong team spirit. They are also expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in other European languages used by the Circle U. partners will be an advantage.
Terms
The academic chairs are appointed for a two-year term, with the potential for a further extension of two more years. During this time, they will be bought free 20% from their ordinary research and teaching positions at the University of Oslo. The academic chairs will dedicate this time to the development of activities and are based at their home university. They are also expected to spend time at other Circle U. partner universities and to attend meetings to facilitate collaboration, communication, and dissemination.
Who can apply
Academic staff at the University of Oslo. We encourage candidates from all disciplines and at any career stage to apply.
How to apply
Submit your application in Nettskjema
Further process and timeline
Qualified applicants will be interviewed and candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Academic background
- Motivation letter and proposed activities
- Interest in innovative learning formats and interdisciplinarity
Together, we support an inclusive culture, equality and diversity for our staff and students. We are committed to encouraging further growth from diverse groups, and we are committed to ensuring that the Academic Chair Programme includes researchers and teachers of all abilities and underrepresented groups. In appointing academic chairs, we will ensure gender-balanced representation.
More information about Circle U.
Visit our homepage circle-u.eu
Contact information
Any question regarding the call can be directed to ?ystein Moen, moeno@admin.uio.no