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https://youtu.be/i4SDcLir6OcThe Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Bergen invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in Social Anthropology. The position is fully funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the project GENMAR (2026–2031). The successful candidate’s postdoctoral project must therefore make a clear and substantial contribution to the themes and objectives of GENMAR.
Prospective candidates must present a project proposal ethnographically situated in Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda. Further instructions about the project proposal are outlined below.
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, Thailand and either Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda, 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 here.
Responsibilities
The applicants will be assessed by an assessment committee, and the highest ranked candidates will be invited for an interview.
The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 4 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.
Upon appointment, applicants must submit a project proposal for the qualifying work including a work schedule. For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
The closing date is September 21, 2026.
Starting date: January 1, 2027, at the latest.
Applications sent by e-mail or without the requested documents will not be evaluated.
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting Iselin Åsedotter Strønen, iselin.stronen@uib.no.
Practical questions about the application process should be directed to: Gudrun Horvei, gudrun.horvei@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.Further information about our employment process can be found here.
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