About the position
At the University of Agder, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, there is a 100% position available as a PhD Research Fellow in Cultural Competence for a period of three years, or four years with 25% work duty. The position is organizationally affiliated with the Department of Health and Nursing Science - University of Agder. The workplace is currently Campus Grimstad or Campus Kristiansand by agreement. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.
The faculty has four departments: Department of Health and Nursing Science, Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, and Department of Psychosocial Health.
The PhD student may be connected to the research groups: ProfHealth: Interdisciplinary Professional Research in Health or HAMS: Health, Behavior, Diversity, and Social Inclusion, depending on the candidate's competence and the final direction of the PhD project. The fellow will have a supervisory team of three, with Professor Mariann Fossum as the main supervisor.
The student may apply for admission to the interdisciplinary and interprofessional research school for practice-oriented research in health, welfare, and education PROFRES.
Responsibilities
The topic for the fellow will be the field of nursing and cultural competence. The PhD project aims to develop knowledge on how nursing students can develop inclusive practices through increased cultural competence and how this is addressed in Norwegian nursing education. The project aims to strengthen nursing students' cultural competence, emphasize inclusive practices, and prepare them to meet the diversity of patients in the future healthcare system. Close collaboration with relevant actors in nursing education and healthcare is planned.
A thematic framework (reflection) for the project has been developed and can be obtained by contacting Mariann Fossum [email protected], Anita Øgård-Repål [email protected]or Anja Nastasja Robstad [email protected]. The fellow will conduct a research project based on the thematic framework.
It is a prerequisite for commencement that the fellow is admitted to UiA's PhD program at the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, specializing in Health and Nursing Science. For questions about the PhD program, contact PhD-programme in Health and Sport Sciences - University of Agder, specializing in Health and Nursing Science. For questions about the PhD program, contact [email protected]
Required qualifications
- A bachelor's degree in nursing
- A master's degree in international or global health. If the applicant does not have a master's degree in international or global health, a major/master's degree/candidate's degree in health sciences or nursing science may be considered equivalent. Applicants who are in the process of completing their master's thesis are also welcome to apply for the position. However, the master's thesis must be completed and submitted for assessment.
In assessing applicants, emphasis is placed on achieved exam results, the relevance of academic background, any previous development work, and published works. Note that a grade of B or better on the master's thesis is required for admission to the PhD program.
The working language at the University of Agder is Norwegian. Good knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is required.
Criteria for employment in the position of PhD Research Fellow are outlined in the Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant, and specialist candidate.
Criteria for admission to the PhD program are outlined in the Regulations for the degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) at the University of Agder and in the Detailed rules for PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences.
Desired qualifications
- Clinical experience from the healthcare sector
- Recent experience from the university and college sector
Personal qualities
- Ability to work purposefully, neatly, concentrated, and independently
- Ability to collaborate
- Analytical skills
- Written communication skills
- Ability to complete tasks
Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasized.
We offer
- Professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
- A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
- Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
- Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
More about the University of Agder as a workplace.
The position is remunerated according to the State salary scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD research fellow, NOK 536,200 gross per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
The person appointed has rights and obligations according to the guidelines that apply to the position at any given time. Employment is decided by the Appointment Committee for teaching and research positions at the University of Agder. Relevant candidates will be invited to an interview. References will also be obtained by agreement with the applicant. More about the recruitment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25, 2nd paragraph, the applicant may request not to be included in the public applicant list. The university may still decide that the name of the candidate should be made public. The applicant will be notified in advance of any such publication.
Application
The application and necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply for the position".
The following must be uploaded electronically:
- Diplomas with grades
- Cover letter with your motivation for this position (maximum one page/500 words)
- Reflection (maximum three pages, literature list in addition) outlining a possible direction for the research project and methodological approaches within the research themes described above and in the thematic framework that can be obtained by contacting
- Copy of master's thesis. For applicants who have not had their master's thesis assessed, documentation of a completed master's degree must be submitted before commencement.
- Certificates
- Academic work and R&D activities, as well as a list of these
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing deadline. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
Application Deadline: 8 August 2025.
Contact
For questions about the position:
- Main supervisor, professor Mariann Fossum, mobile +47 918 54 845, email: [email protected]
- Head of Department Dag Tomas Sagen Johannesen, mobile +47 918 73 799, email:[email protected]
For questions about the application process:
Creating knowledge together
When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.
The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.
Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?
University of Agder
The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students, making us one of Southern Norway's largest workplaces. Our dedicated staff engage in research, teaching and dissemination across a diverse range of fields.
The university is located on two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad.
