Apply Now: University of Oslo Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Global Life-Course Criminology

Are you an early-career researcher passionate about understanding crime through a global, comparative lens? The University of Oslo (UiO) is offering an exciting Postdoctoral Research Fellowship as part of the groundbreaking Life-Course Trajectories to Crime Globally (CRIMLIFE) project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC).

This fully funded position provides a unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research across multiple continents while collaborating with leading scholars in criminology and social sciences.

About the Fellowship

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SKO 1352) will work closely with Professor Sveinung Sandberg at the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law. The CRIMLIFE project explores how life experiences and social contexts shape criminal trajectories across different regions of the world.

• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Duration:
  • 3 years (research only), or
  • 4 years (including 25% teaching/administration)
• Start Date: Spring 2026
• Salary: NOK 595,000 – 680,000 annually (depending on experience)

About the CRIMLIFE Project

CRIMLIFE aims to advance global comparative life-course criminology by combining life histories and life-course analysis to better understand crime and desistance.

Key Focus Areas:

• Role of state, family, employment, and culture in shaping criminal behavior
• Comparative research across six countries: Norway, Czech Republic, Türkiye, Nigeria, India, and Colombia
• Mixed-methods approach including:
  • 300 participants
  • 900 qualitative life-story interviews
  • Large-scale survey data

The project addresses critical gaps in criminology, which has traditionally focused on Western contexts, by bringing in perspectives from the Global South and underrepresented regions.

Research Responsibilities

The selected candidate will:

• Conduct global comparative qualitative research across multiple countries
• Write and publish academic research articles
• Participate in data coding, analysis, and organization
• Support project management and reporting
• Contribute to ethical approvals and data management plans
• Assist in operating TSD (Services for Sensitive Data)
• Engage in international collaboration and dissemination activities

You will also actively participate in seminars, workshops, and collaborative research with an international team.

Eligibility Criteria

Required Qualifications:

• PhD (or equivalent) in:
  • Criminology
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Or a related social science field
• Doctoral thesis submitted by application deadline and approved before appointment
• Strong command of English (written and spoken)
• Knowledge of research ethics processes

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with:
  • Life-history interviews
  • Narrative analysis
  • Life-course criminology
• Familiarity with any of the project countries or regions
• Interest or experience in comparative qualitative research

Personal Skills

Ideal candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong independent research ability
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Initiative and motivation to work in an international, multidisciplinary team
• Structured and organized working style

Benefits

Working at the University of Oslo offers:

• A dynamic and inclusive academic environment
• Strong opportunities for career growth and development
• Access to a global research network
• Up to 1.5 hours of weekly exercise during work hours
• Generous pension scheme and welfare benefits
• Support for developing teaching qualifications (if required)

Why Apply?

This fellowship is ideal for researchers looking to:

• Work on a high-impact, globally relevant project
• Gain international fieldwork experience
• Collaborate with leading experts in criminology
• Contribute to innovative, interdisciplinary research shaping the future of crime studies

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Cover letter outlining motivation and qualifications
• Project proposal (4–7 pages) including:
  • Research objectives
  • Methodology
  • Ethical considerations
  • Alignment with CRIMLIFE goals
• Updated CV
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Up to three academic publications
• Contact details for at least two referees
• (Optional) Doctoral dissertation assessment

Note: All documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Click Here, to apply.

Application Deadline

30th April 2026

About the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo (UiO) is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked university, with over 26,500 students and 7,200 employees. The Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law is internationally recognized for its excellence in research, teaching, and academic contribution.

If you’re passionate about understanding crime through a global, interdisciplinary perspective and want to be part of a pioneering research initiative, this fellowship is a perfect opportunity.

Apply now and contribute to redefining global criminology research.