PhD Research Fellow in Management: Motivation

Overview

First Stage Researcher (R1) – PhD position, 3‑year fixed term, full‑time (37.5 h per week) at the Department of Business, Marketing, and Law, University of South‑Eastern Norway (USN). Place of work: campus Hønefoss.

The doctoral project will be aligned with the Work Motivation and Optimal Functioning research group, led by Professor Anja H. Olafsen. Research themes include work environment factors, individual characteristics, digitalisation, AI, flexible and remote work, leadership, organisational changes, and their impact on employee motivation, recovery, performance, and work‑related health.

• Complete the doctoral programme within the employment period.
• Conduct high‑calibre research within the defined framework.
• Publish research in internationally recognised academic journals.
• Participate in relevant courses of the doctoral programme.
• Be prepared to adapt work tasks after appointment.

• Master of Science degree (normally 120 ECTS) in business administration, human resource management, organisational behaviour/psychology or a similar field.
• Documented methodological competence – proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods and at least one master’s‑level course in methodology.
• Weighted average grade of B or higher at master’s level.
• Completed master’s thesis submitted before the start date.
• Proficient in English (written and oral).

Applicants with education completed outside Norway must provide documentation that the education has been recognised and approved by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK‑dir). Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, or USA, or applicants who completed a master’s degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country, are exempt from certain English‑language requirements.

• Motivated and able to demonstrate potential for research in the field.
• Can work independently while contributing to teamwork.
• Structured, goal‑oriented, and able to plan and achieve objectives.
• Capable of presenting and discussing research with academics.
• Constructively engages with feedback and works under pressure.
• Analytical, able to assess different perspectives and draw well‑founded conclusions.
• Flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary.

Applicants must submit a preliminary research project (4‑5 pages) covering:

• Introduction (title, main problem, research questions, background).
• Topic, scope, and field of research.
• Overarching research question(s) with justification.
• Relevant theory.
• Preliminary plan for data collection (design, method, data, sample).
• Preliminary timeline for the PhD project period.
• Reference list (maximum 15 references).

• Organised research training within a large undertaking with an important social mission.
• Career advice and guidance throughout the doctoral programme.
• An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues.
• Opportunity to take Norwegian language courses.
• Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017), NOK 550 800. In special cases, code 1378 may apply. Pay grade increases are based on length of service.
• Deductions for statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

We believe that diversity is a resource and embrace employees with disabilities. We facilitate employees with disabilities and respect each other's differences. If you belong to a protected group (gender, disability, cultural background, or immigrant background), our selection process will give special consideration. We encourage all qualified individuals regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or work gap to apply. If you identify with one of these categories, you may indicate it in the job search portal.

For further information, contact us at euraxess.