UIT THE ARCTIC UNIVERSITY OF NORWAY - DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY (FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
PhD Fellowship in Societal Security and Disaster Research at UiT The Arctic University of Norway
full · phd
- 4 yearsEmployment (3 research + 1 teaching)
- NOK 550,800 / yearStarting annual salary
- ~EUR 47,000 / year (est.)Salary in euros
- 3% / yearAnnual salary increase
- Salaried postFull employee benefits and pension
- PhDDegree level
At a glance
full
Funding
€47k
Max amount
Oct 23, 2026
Deadline
Open to applicants worldwide (international and Nordic)
Country
UiT The Arctic University of Norway - Department of Technology and Safety (Faculty of Science and Technology)
Provider
The PhD Fellowship in Societal Security and Disaster Research is a fully funded, salaried doctoral position at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, based in Tromso. It is hosted by the Department of Technology and Safety in the Faculty of Science and Technology, a department of more than 90 staff and around 600 students working across Tromso, Bardufoss and Harstad. The appointment is for four years: three years of doctoral research plus one year of teaching and academic duties. The fellow joins UiT's SlowRisk Project, which studies disaster risk, early-warning systems and community experience, including how the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate monitors rock-avalanche-prone areas. PhD fellows receive an annual salary of NOK 550,800 with a 3% yearly increase, membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, relocation reimbursement where applicable, flexible working hours and access to Norway's universal healthcare system. Admission requires a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and a master's degree (120 ECTS), or an integrated 300 ECTS master's, with a minimum GPA of C and an independent research project. Applications are submitted via Jobbnorge with a cover letter, CV, certified diplomas, proof of English, a project proposal of up to 5 pages and two to three referees. Confirm the exact salary, the current-cycle deadline and admission requirements on UiT's official vacancy page before you apply.
What's covered
- Annual salary — A full PhD fellow salary of NOK 550,800 per year (around ~EUR 47,000 (est.)), with a 3% annual increase.
- Pension and insurance — Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, providing pension, insurance, sickness and injury benefits and favourable loan conditions.
- Healthcare — Access to Norway's universal public healthcare system during the appointment.
- Relocation support — Relocation reimbursement where applicable to help with the move to Tromso.
- Working conditions and development — Flexible working hours and structured career-development opportunities within the doctoral programme.
How to apply
Applications are submitted electronically through the Jobbnorge portal before the deadline, in English or a Scandinavian language.
- Read the official vacancy — Review the full announcement and admission requirements on UiT's official vacancy page and the linked Jobbnorge posting.
- Develop your project proposal — Prepare a project proposal of up to 5 pages (including references) aligned with the SlowRisk Project themes of disaster risk, early-warning systems and community resilience.
- Assemble your documents — Gather a cover letter, CV, certified diplomas and transcripts, proof of English proficiency and details of two to three referees.
- Submit via Jobbnorge — Upload all materials and submit the application through Jobbnorge before the deadline (around 23 October 2026 (est.)).
- Interview and selection — Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview before the final admission and employment decision.
Eligibility
DegreeA bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and a master's degree (120 ECTS), or an integrated master's degree (300 ECTS), in a relevant field.
GradesA minimum GPA of C (3.0 equivalent) in the master's degree, which must include an independent research project.
Subject areaRelevant fields include societal security and risk management, geography or environmental studies, anthropology or sociology, science and technology studies, philosophy of technology and global development studies.
LanguageStrong written and spoken English; Nordic applicants may document English proficiency through a high-school diploma.
Applicants educated outside Norway undergo an equivalency assessment against Norwegian higher-education standards. Fieldwork or qualitative-research experience and an interest in interdisciplinary approaches are considered an advantage.
Eligible countries
Open to applicants worldwide (international and Nordic)
Deadlines
2026 admission round~23 October 2026 (est.)
Following cycle (if reopened)~October 2027 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on the relevance and quality of their master's degree and grades, the originality and feasibility of the project proposal, their fit with the SlowRisk Project and interdisciplinary themes, and the strength of their references. Experience with fieldwork or qualitative methods and strong English communication count in the applicant's favour.
Verified sources
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway (official site)uit.noofficial
- Jobbnorge - UiT vacanciesjobbnorge.noofficial
About the provider
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a public research university in Tromso, the largest university in northern Norway. Guided by the Northern Sami concept eallju (eagerness to work), it focuses on research in the High North across climate, security, technology and society, combining academic work with regional and global responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the UiT PhD Fellowship in Societal Security and Disaster Research?
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It is a fully funded, salaried four-year PhD position at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromso, hosted by the Department of Technology and Safety.
How long is the appointment?
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Four years in total: three years of doctoral research and one year of teaching and academic duties.
What is the salary?
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PhD fellows start on NOK 550,800 per year (around ~EUR 47,000 (est.)), with a 3% annual increase.
Is the position fully funded?
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Yes. It is a salaried post with pension and insurance through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and access to universal healthcare.
What qualifications are required?
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A bachelor's (180 ECTS) plus a master's (120 ECTS), or an integrated 300 ECTS master's, with a minimum GPA of C and an independent research project.
Which subjects are relevant?
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Societal security and risk management, geography or environmental studies, anthropology or sociology, STS, philosophy of technology and global development studies.
Do I need to write a project proposal?
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Yes. A proposal of up to 5 pages (including references) aligned with the SlowRisk Project themes is required.
What is the SlowRisk Project?
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It is a UiT research project exploring disaster risk, early-warning systems and how communities experience and interpret technical risk knowledge.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline is around 23 October 2026 (est.); confirm the current-cycle date on UiT's official vacancy page.
Where do I apply?
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Applications are submitted online through the Jobbnorge portal linked from UiT's vacancy announcement.
Can international students apply?
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Yes. The position is open worldwide; applicants educated outside Norway undergo an equivalency assessment of their qualifications.
What language are applications in?
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Application materials must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language, and strong English skills are required.