MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 – Advancing Social Sustainability, Solidarity, and Democratic Resilience

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

Faculty of Social Sciences offers study programmes within archivistics, library and information science, journalism and media studies, social work, social policy and child welfare, public management and business.

The faculty has about 4200 students and nearly 280 members of staff.

The department has approximately 1250 students and 90 employees, and offers study programmes on bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level.

Call for Expression of Interest for a joint application development under the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action European Postdoctoral Fellowship 

OsloMet invites interested researchers of any nationality, fulfilling the eligibility requirements for the fellowship, to express their interest in developing an application for a two-year project at OsloMet, funded by the Marie Skłodowska Curie European Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 (Call: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF-01-01)

Oslo Metropolitan University – Externally funded research project

OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway’s third largest university, with nearly 23,000 students, and more than 2,500 employees from over 60 nationalities. OsloMet has a dynamic stimulating research-intensive academic environment and an attractive employment framework. OsloMet is a diverse and urban university with an international profile; its main campus is in the city center, providing a vibrant setting to study, conduct research, and work.  

Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy 

The Department of Social Work, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, educates professionals in social work and child welfare through comprehensive bachelor’s and master’s programs, and has a separate master’s in Nordic social policy and Global Sustainable Development. Our study programs are closely connected with the department’s research activities, which are internationally oriented and focus on social sustainability, social policy, and practices that promote social justice and inclusion. Our research addresses pressing societal issues such as threats to solidarity and trust, the erosion of constitutional liberal democracy, and the role of social work and policy in maintaining cohesive societies. 

Area of research for the project proposals

The threats to solidarity and trust within societies have become more visible in an era characterised by increasing social fragmentation, societal disintegration, economic disparities, and political polarization. These challenges undermine the very societal fabric creating order through constitutional liberal democratic rule of law. It depends on shared values, mutual trust, and robust social institutions. Social work and social policy are pivotal in addressing these threats and in order to create socially sustainable solutions by fostering inclusion, promoting social justice, and reinforcing the principles of democracy.

Candidates are invited to explore issues related to:

• Threats to solidarity and trust: Investigate and identify factors that erode social cohesion, including misinformation, social inequality, or political extremism.
• Role of social work and social policy: Examine how professional practices and policies can counteract divisive forces and promote sustainable solidarity.
• Sustaining constitutional liberal democracy: Identify and develop approaches that strengthen democratic institutions and civic engagement.
• Promoting social sustainability: Projects seeking to identify strategies that ensure long-term social well-being and resilience against emerging challenges.
   

Please identify how your project will contribute to the unit of Globalisation and Social Sustainability at the department.

Supervision and support 

Successful candidates will be supervised by an experienced researcher from the unit on Globalisation and Social Sustainability, possessing relevant expertise and a complementary research profile aligned with the candidate's interests. The supervisor will provide guidance and support in developing the MSCA project. The applicant is encouraged to identify supervisor through the application.

Starting date of the fellowship

Evaluation results for the MSCA-PF-2025 applications are communicated by the EU Commission in February 2026. Successful applicants can start the fellowship earliest in April 2026, given that they can move to Norway at that time, and no later than winter 2026. 

Expected qualification of applicants 

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant should have a PhD degree in Social Work, Social Policy, Sociology, Political Science, or related fields by the end of June 2025.
• The applicant must have a maximum of eight years of research experience, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.
• The applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Norway for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline, 10 September 2025
• Must be able to relocate to Norway. Teleworking will not be permitted.

We are looking for applicants who have

• Expertise: Solid understanding of social sustainability, solidarity, trust, and their application in social work and policy.
• Methodological Skills: Proficiency in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Research Excellence: Strong publication record and evidence of independent research capabilities.
• Commitment: Dedication to developing a competitive MSCA-PF grant application.
• Collaboration Skills: Open, cooperative nature with strong independent work abilities.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent command of spoken and written English. 
   

Application process 

We invite experienced, curiosity-driven researchers to submit: 

• CV (including research track record and list of publications)
• One-page project description outlining the project idea for the MSCA-PF grant application 
   

These documents will serve as the basis for selecting up to two candidates with whom we will collaborate to develop competitive MSCA-PF proposals. The cooperation for proposal development will be conducted remotely, with regular communication via email and virtual meetings. Successful EU-funded applicants must relocate to work at the Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy at OsloMet's main campus in Oslo. 

Assessment and selection of candidates

Applications will be evaluated based on qualifications and project ideas. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview. Up to two candidates will be invited to develop the full MSCA-PF application with OsloMet’s support. 

Candidates will be informed of the results no later than 20.04.2025.

Original qualification documents must be presented if invited for an interview. All documents, including your proposal idea, will be handled in full confidentiality and in strict compliance with GDPR regulations.

Selected candidates must participate in the virtual masterclass on MSCA-PF, a two-day workshop organised by OsloMet on 28-29 April 2025 to provide applicants with detailed information and explanation of the application template to complete their proposal in compliance with the EU Commission requirements.

Employment at OsloMet

Successful applicants who obtain a MSCA-PF grant will be offered a position at OsloMet to be hired as researchers to implement their proposed research project.

We offer:

OsloMet assists in developing competitive MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposals. 

To applicants who are awarded the MSCA-PF grant, we offer:

• Work Environment: Inclusive, friendly, and flexible working conditions.
• Networking: Access to a unique academic network to pursue academic goals.
• Language Classes: Norwegian language instruction.
• Relocation Assistance: Onboarding support for relocation and related services. 
   

Remuneration:

• Type of employment: Temporary position
• Contract type: Full time
• Gross Annual Salary: Approx. EUR 70,000 (including obligatory income tax and employer's national insurance contributions)
• Starting day of employment (expected): Flexible between April 2026 and September 2027
• Working hours: 37.5 hours/week

OsloMet has implemented the Charter for researchers and been granted the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) by the EU Commission and is part of the EU network for mobility of Researchers EURAXESS. OsloMet International Staff Services will assist you during your relocation to Norway and practical information about this can be found at our website Work for Us and EURAXESS Norway. 

Contact 

• Asgeir Falch-Eriksen, Head of Globalisation and Social Sustainability, e-mail: asgeirer@oslomet.no 
• Hanna Karv, Head of Research Support, Faculty of Social Sciences, e-mail: hanna.karv@oslomet.no

OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commission holding the right to use the logo HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R). OsloMet is a member of the EURAXESS network supporting a positive work environment for researchers in motion.

OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who are seen to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter law will not be considered for the position.

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