University of Oslo Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Children, Youth and Digital Media 2026 (Fully Funded Research Position in Norway)

Applications are now open for the University of Oslo (UiO) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Children, Youth and Digital Media 2026, a prestigious four-year research position under the internationally recognised EU Kids Online Norway project.

Hosted by the Department of Media and Communication, this fellowship is designed for outstanding early-career researchers who are passionate about understanding how children and young people engage with digital technologies. Successful applicants will conduct independent research while collaborating with leading international experts through the EU Kids Online network.

In addition to a competitive salary and excellent employment benefits, fellows will gain access to world-class research facilities, international collaborations, career development support, and one of Europe's strongest interdisciplinary research environments.

Application Deadline: 15 August 2026

• Host Institution: University of Oslo (UiO)
• Department: Department of Media and Communication
• Programme: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
• Research Project: EU Kids Online Norway
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Duration: 4 Years
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Teaching Requirement: 25% Teaching, Administrative and Career Development Duties
• Funding: Fully Funded Employment
• Salary: NOK 595,000 – NOK 677,000 per year
• Application Deadline: 15 August 2026
• Application Fee: None

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship forms part of the EU Kids Online Norway project and is affiliated with the Centre for Studies of Children, Youth and Media, one of Europe's leading research centres focusing on children's digital lives.

The programme gives researchers the opportunity to design and lead an independent research project that contributes new knowledge about children, young people, and digital media. Fellows will also become members of the international EU Kids Online research network, which brings together experts from multiple countries to study children's online experiences and digital wellbeing.

The fellowship is intended to help promising researchers strengthen their academic profile and prepare for future careers as associate professors or senior researchers.

Applicants must propose a research project that aligns closely with the objectives of the EU Kids Online Norway project.

Possible research topics include:

• Children's and young people's digital media use
• Online opportunities and online risks
• Digital wellbeing and mental health
• Children's digital rights
• Media regulation and online safety
• Digital literacy and digital skills
• Family, school, and community influences on digital behaviour
• National or cross-country comparisons relating to children's online experiences

Projects may focus on individual, community, national, or international perspectives.

Researchers are encouraged—but not required—to build upon existing EU Kids Online datasets. Successful fellows may also receive access to national and international datasets, subject to ethical approval and data access procedures.

Throughout the four-year appointment, the successful candidate will:

• Design and conduct an independent research project.
• Produce high-quality academic publications.
• Present research findings at international conferences.
• Participate actively in research seminars and collaborative projects.
• Contribute to the activities of the Centre for Studies of Children, Youth and Media.
• Collaborate with researchers across the international EU Kids Online network.
• Help strengthen research on children, youth, and digital technologies at both national and international levels.
• Contribute to teaching, supervision, administrative responsibilities, and career development activities, which make up 25% of the appointment.

The University of Oslo will also develop an individual career plan to support the fellow's long-term academic growth and provide continuous career guidance throughout the fellowship.

Successful applicants will receive:

• A fully funded four-year postdoctoral research appointment.
• Annual salary ranging from NOK 595,000 to NOK 677,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, one of Norway's most comprehensive pension schemes.
• Attractive health, insurance, and welfare benefits.
• Access to favourable mortgage and loan schemes available to Norwegian public employees.
• Career development support and structured mentoring.
• Opportunities to collaborate with internationally recognised researchers.
• Access to one of Europe's leading interdisciplinary research environments.

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in Media and Communication, Sociology, Psychology, Education, Childhood Studies, or another closely related discipline.
• Submit a research proposal that clearly aligns with the objectives of the EU Kids Online Norway project.
• Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English.
• Show strong motivation and suitability for the position.
• Have submitted their doctoral dissertation for evaluation by the application deadline. Appointment is subject to successful public defence of the PhD.

Research proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Scientific originality and quality.
• Relevance to the EU Kids Online Norway project.
• Theoretical and methodological strength.
• Critical thinking and innovation.
• Feasibility of the proposed research.
• Clarity of the project timeline and implementation plan.

Applicants must submit:

• A motivation letter describing their qualifications and interest in the fellowship.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A detailed research proposal (3–5 pages) including research questions, methodology, theoretical framework, and implementation timeline.
• A list of publications.
• Copies of academic certificates and transcripts (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD).
• Any additional documents requested by the University of Oslo.

All application documents must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language through the official Jobbnorge recruitment portal.

Interested candidates should submit their complete application through the University of Oslo's official recruitment portal before the application deadline.

Incomplete or late applications may not be considered.

Application Deadline: 15 August 2026

Application Fee: None