Job Description

Overview Organisation/Company: Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Research Field: Anthropology — Cultural anthropology; Anthropology — Social anthropology; Anthropology — Other. Position: Postdoc; Status: Temporary; Hours: 37.5 per week; Location: Oslo, Norway. Application Deadline: 24 Nov 2025, 23:59 (Europe/Oslo). Starting Date: 1 Jan 2026. Contract funded through Horizon Europe - ERC project Com2Civ. Job reference: 02-2025. This is a research-only, temporary position and is not related to a staff position within a Research Infrastructure. Offer Description PRIO invites applications for a 2-year, full-time Postdoctoral Researcher in evolutionary, cultural or social anthropology, or a closely related field, for the ERC Starting Grant project “Rituals in combatant-to-civilian transformation” (Com2Civ), led by principal investigator Júlia Palik. The position is based at PRIO in Oslo and includes fieldwork in Colombia as part of a novel interdisciplinary project on the role of rituals in ex-combatants’ reintegration. About Com2Civ Com2Civ investigates how rituals shape the social reintegration of ex-combatants, positively and negatively, after war. It is a multidisciplinary project drawing on political science, social psychology, anthropology, and gender studies. The project develops theory on ritual-driven socialization into combatant and civilian identities and generates evidence through life-history interviews, surveys, and social cartography with ex-combatants from FARC-EP (Colombia) and MILF (Philippines). Com2Civ aims to reveal social-psychological mechanisms in combatant-to-civilian transformation and contributes to scientific efforts across disciplines. Results are expected to appear in major multidisciplinary journals. The core team includes the PI (Júlia Palik), a Postdoctoral researcher in social psychology, the postdoctoral position in anthropology (focusing on Colombia), and research assistants. The work of the Postdoctoral researcher in anthropology will focus on Work Packages 2 and 4 (WP2 and WP4), including life-history interviews, ethnographic observation, and social cartography with ex-combatants in Colombia, while contributing to cross-project integration and theory development. Key responsibilities Design, conduct, and analyze life-history interviews with ex-combatants in Colombia, ensuring trauma-informed, ethical practices. Carry out social cartography workshops with former combatants and community members to map ritual practices and social networks. Collaborate closely with the PI and the Postdoctoral researcher in social psychology to ensure cross-method integration (e.g., linking qualitative insights to survey design and survey results to social cartography design). Engage in ethnographic fieldwork with ex-combatants, including observation of community rituals and reintegration events. Write journal articles in collaboration with the PI and other team members. Contribute to theory building and cross-method integration. Shape a novel, interdisciplinary research agenda at the intersection of anthropology, political science, social psychology, and gender studies. Conduct ethnographic fieldwork in Colombia, with strong institutional and fieldwork support. Collaborate with local researchers, NGOs, and reintegration stakeholders in Colombia. Work within a leading international research institute (PRIO, Oslo) with strong survey/fieldwork support networks and ethics/data management expertise. Present at international conferences and engage policy audiences (e.g., UN DDR communities). Dedicated travel and dissemination resources are budgeted. The PI of Com2Civ is part of several leading psychology and anthropology labs and research groups in Norway, Europe, and the US, providing networking and collaboration opportunities. Com2Civ will support time to complete ongoing research and initiate new research agendas. PhD in anthropology (cultural, social, or evolutionary) or a closely related field. The PhD dissertation must have been submitted before the application deadline, and the degree must have been awarded before the starting date. Proven expertise with ethnographic methods (e.g., participant observation, interviews, visual methods). Fieldwork experience, preferably in Latin America, and ability to conduct field research in Colombia. Excellent skills in qualitative analysis and experience with software such as NVivo, Atlas.ti, or similar. Excellent written and spoken Spanish and English. Research background in ritual, identity, conflict, or reintegration processes. Experience with experimental and behavioural methods. Cross-cultural comparative analysis using both field data and existing datasets. Familiarity with trauma-informed, ethical research with vulnerable populations. Familiarity with DDR processes, veterans’ reintegration, or related fields. Languages: ENGLISH – Level Excellent; SPANISH – Level Excellent. Qualifications & Requirements • PhD in anthropology (cultural, social, or evolutionary) or closely related field (must be submitted before deadline and awarded before start).

• Proven ethnographic methods experience; fieldwork in Latin America preferred (Colombia).
• Qualitative analysis skills and experience with NVivo/Atlas.ti or similar.
• Excellent written and spoken Spanish and English.
• Research background in ritual, identity, conflict, or reintegration; experience with experimental and behavioural methods; cross-cultural analysis.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed, ethical research with vulnerable populations; DDR/veterans’ reintegration or related fields.

Additional Information Contract : 2 years, full-time. The position is research-only. Location : Oslo, Norway. On-site presence required; field travel to Colombia. Postdoctoral researchers at PRIO are placed under the staff category of Senior Researcher. Starting salary around NOK 769,893 (before taxes). Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. Additional benefits include subsidized canteen, running group, social events, and PRIO’s supportive work environment. For more information see Application Procedure Application deadline: 24 November 2025. Submit documents in English and PDF via PRIO’s website: Application letter (1–2 pages) addressing required and desired qualifications; describe relevant fieldwork and motivation. If a criterion is not met, state so. Short statement (1–2 pages) outlining contribution to WP2/WP4 and ethics in Colombian fieldwork. One–two publications with brief explanation of why they are your best work. CV in English, including publications. Scans of transcripts/certificates (single PDF). Com2Civ welcomes but does not require applicants to propose ideas to be integrated into WP2/WP4. Assessment Interviews are expected in early December 2025 (in person or online). References: provide three names; references will be contacted after the interview stage. Starting date: 1 January 2026, or as mutually agreed. Contact Questions about the project to PI Júlia Palik at julpal@prio.org. For recruitment information, contact Catarina Barbieri at catbar@prio.org, tel. +47 916 94 674. PRIO is an equal-opportunity employer and values staff diversity. See the recruitment principles and careers page for more information. #J-18808-Ljbffr Euraxess

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Local area,

Similar Jobs