Associate Professor

Offer Description

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.

Associate Professor

The Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Bergen invites applications from scholars with a PhD in law, or a joint PhD degree in Law and Anthropology or Sociology, to join the cross-disciplinary project GENMAR for a 20 % secondary post per year for a four-years period. Qualified candidates must hold a main position (at least 20%) at an organization other than UiB.

The position is fully funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the project GENMAR (2026–2031). Together with the PI, the legal scholar is expected to develop and conduct an anthropological-legal interdisciplinary case study in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in relevant policy institutions of the European Union.

The aim of the case study is to develop innovative research strategies for exploring socio-legal orders and policy development processes in fisheries through methodological and theoretical collaboration between anthropology and legal studies. However, the case study is integrated into the overall research framework and lines of inquiry of the GENMAR-project.

About the project/ work tasks:

About the project:

• The GENMAR-project will advance empirical and theoretical knowledge about why and how women are continuously marginalized in the fishery sector.
• Current research shows that fisherwomen's roles and contributions are not only habitually underrecognized, but they are also often excluded from governance- and management processes and lack social and economic rights. However, we know little about how gender equality policies- and recommendations in fishery are negotiated through political- and advocacy systems. Further, in the face of increased attention to the issue, little is known of where and why it loses momentum in political systems. Moreover, women's role and agency in fishery politics, advocacy and governance is an understudied field, offering limited knowledge of how and why their struggles are hindered.
• GENMAR's research objective is situated at the intersection of these three knowledge gaps. The project will develop a multi-sited, multi-scalar, comparative and theorized ethnography of gender inequality, gender advocacy and gender policies in fisheries in Spain, Brazil, Tanzania and Thailand, and a case study of fishery policy in the EU-commission and the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Theoretically, the project draws on the existing literature about the gendering of fisheries, in dialogue with gender studies, social science concept analysis, legal anthropology and anthropological approaches to the state, organizations, law and policy. Methodologically, the project draws on ethnographic fieldwork, extended interviews, focus groups, document- and media studies, and law- and policy analysis.
• The project's PI is Associate Professor Iselin Åsedotter Strønen. For more information about the project, see In/visible women of the sea. Gendering fishery politics and advocacy (GENMAR) | UiB

Responsibilites

• Develop a case study in collaboration with the PI, addressing gendered approaches to fisheries in FAO and the EU. The case study includes developing research questions and methodological procedures, conduct a literature review in legal anthropology and other interdisciplinary bodies of literature thematically relevant to the project, and conduct desk studies of policies, legal instruments, reports and policy recommendations. The case study also involves collaborative ethnographic institutional fieldwork together with the PI in FAO and EU offices (two field visits, approx. 14 days each).
• Collaborate with the GENMAR project team in developing innovative and ambitious lines of inquiry, joint research questions, and theoretical frameworks.
• Collaborate with the GENMAR project team in discussing, analyzing, theorizing and comparing research data from the different case studies.
• Actively participate in publication- and dissemination activities of GENMAR, including presenting research at project workshops and international conferences.
• Co-produce at least two book chapters with the PI.
• Follow the highest standards of data management and ethical protocols and procedures in alignment with ERC requirements.
• Contribute to updating the project website and to communicating research findings to the public when appropriate.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Required qualifications

• Applicants must hold a PhD in law/legal studies, or a joint PhD degree in law and anthropology or sociology.
• An academic track record demonstrating knowledge of European fishery law, gender equality in EU policy, gender, fishery and policy development more broadly, or related thematic fields.
• Interest in developing an interdisciplinary case study, familiarize oneself with the disciplinary tenets of social anthropology, and to actively contribute to developing new and innovative methods and analytical approaches to interdisciplinary studies of fishery policy and gender equality
• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
• The successful candidate is expected to visit Bergen for project workshops and conferences, and to communicate digitally regularly with the project team

Desired qualifications

• Prior experience with working in an interdisciplinary team and/or with qualitative methods.
• Prior experience from participating in large research projects

We can offer:

• A four-years 20 % secondary post within an ERC-funded research project.
• Gross annual salary as Associate Professor, code 1011, of NOK 790 900. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
• Personal funds for fieldwork, workshops and conference attendance, and project-related travels to Bergen.
• Being part of a tightly integrated, ambitious and collegial project group.
• A dynamic and internationally recognized departmental research environment, with a strong portfolio on marine- and ocean research.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits.

Application process - Required Documents:

Applicants must upload the following documents in English or a Scandinavian language via Jobbnorge:

• Cover letter (max 2 pages), including an outline of how the applicant's academic track record matches GENMAR's thematic focus and a statement of motivation
• A case study outline (max. 3000 words excluding references) of proposed lines of enquiry, literature suggestions, and methodological reflections. This does not need to be fully developed as the PI and the successful candidate will jointly develop the details of the case study in the first phase of the project
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including education, positions, research experience, methods training, and other qualifying activities
• A list of publications
• Two academic writing samples in English (e.g., book chapter or research article)
• Contact details of three referees (reference letters not needed at this stage)

Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

Application deadline: October 12, 2026. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

General information:

Starting date: January 1, 2027.

For questions about the position, please contact Iselin Åsedotter Strønen: Iselin.stronen@uib.no

Practical questions about the application process can be directed to personal.svfa@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Where to apply

Website: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/307925/associate-professor-20-secondary-post-in-erc-project-genmar-department-of-social-anthropology

Requirements

• Research Field: Juridical sciences - Education Level: PhD or equivalent
• Research Field: Anthropology - Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Department of Social Anthropology
• Country: Norway

Contact

• City: Bergen
• Website: https://www.uib.no/en/charterandcode
• Street: Muséplassen 2