The University of Oslo (UiO) is inviting applications for its prestigious Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Children, Youth and Digital Media under the internationally recognized EU Kids Online Norway project. This outstanding research opportunity is designed for highly motivated early-career researchers who are passionate about studying the impact of digital technologies on children and young people.

Hosted by the Department of Media and Communication, this four-year postdoctoral fellowship offers scholars an opportunity to conduct independent, high-impact research while collaborating with one of Europe’s leading interdisciplinary research networks focused on children’s digital lives. Researchers will join the Centre for Studies of Children, Youth, and Media and contribute to internationally significant studies examining how digital media shapes children’s experiences, opportunities, rights, wellbeing, and online safety.

If you are looking to advance your academic career while contributing to globally relevant research on digital media and youth, this fellowship presents an exceptional opportunity.

About the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo (UiO) is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked university. With approximately 26,500 students and over 7,200 employees, UiO is internationally recognized for excellence in education, research, and innovation.

Its Department of Media and Communication is one of Scandinavia’s leading academic environments dedicated to research on media, communication, politics, journalism, digital technologies, and society. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the department contributes to global debates on communication and digital transformation.

The successful fellow will become part of this vibrant academic community while collaborating closely with researchers across Europe through the EU Kids Online network.

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About the Fellowship

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is attached to the EU Kids Online Norway project.

EU Kids Online is one of Europe’s most influential research networks studying children’s digital experiences. It brings together researchers from numerous countries to investigate:

• Children’s internet use
• Online opportunities
• Digital wellbeing
• Online risks
• Digital rights
• Digital literacy
• Media regulation
• Digital skills
• Technology and youth development

The selected fellow will develop an independent research project that aligns with the objectives of EU Kids Online Norway while contributing new scientific knowledge to this rapidly evolving field.

Research Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative research within the broad field of children’s and young people’s digital lives.

Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

• Children’s digital media use
• Social media and young people
• Digital wellbeing
• Online risks
• Cyber safety
• Children’s online rights
• Media regulation
• Digital literacy
• Digital skills
• Internet governance
• Online opportunities
• Digital inequalities
• Technology and education
• Youth media participation
• Digital citizenship

Projects may focus on:

• Individual-level factors
• Family influences
• Community-level influences
• National policies
• International comparisons
• Cross-country research

Comparative and interdisciplinary studies are particularly welcomed.

Access to Valuable Research Data

One of the major advantages of this fellowship is access to extensive research resources.

Depending on ethical approval and data access procedures, the fellow may gain access to:

• National EU Kids Online datasets
• International comparative datasets
• Existing research trajectories
• Established European research collaborations

Using existing datasets is considered an advantage but is not mandatory. Researchers are free to propose original methodological approaches suitable for their research questions.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The selected researcher will undertake a range of academic responsibilities, including:

Conduct Independent Research

Develop and implement a high-quality research project that contributes original knowledge to the field.

Participate in Academic Activities

Contribute actively to:

• Research seminars
• Workshops
• Academic discussions
• Collaborative research
• Centre activities

Research Dissemination

Expected dissemination activities include:

• Publishing scientific articles
• Presenting research findings
• Participating in conferences
• Supporting public engagement activities

Strengthen Research Networks

The fellow will contribute to expanding both national and international collaboration within the EU Kids Online network.

Teaching and Career Development

Unlike many research fellowships, this position includes structured career development.

The appointment lasts four years, including:

• 75% research
• 25% teaching, administration, and career development

The teaching component also allows the fellow to obtain formal teaching qualifications required for future academic positions.

A personalized career plan will also be developed to support long-term professional growth.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• A PhD or equivalent degree in:
  • Media and Communication
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Education
  • Childhood Studies
  • Or another closely related discipline

Applicants whose doctoral thesis has been submitted for evaluation before the application deadline are also eligible, provided the dissertation is successfully defended before appointment.

Candidates must also demonstrate:

• Excellent written English
• Excellent spoken English
• Strong motivation
• Personal suitability

Preferred Qualifications

Although not mandatory, preference may be given to applicants with experience in:

• Research on children and youth
• Digital technologies
• Internet studies
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Mixed methods
• Digital methods
• International research collaboration
• Interdisciplinary research
• University teaching

Research Proposal Requirements

Applicants must submit a comprehensive research proposal.

The proposal should clearly describe:

• Research questions
• Objectives
• Literature background
• Theoretical framework
• Research methodology
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Timeline
• Progress plan

The proposal should be between 3 and 5 pages, with a maximum of 14,000 characters.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

Scientific Excellence

• Originality
• Innovation
• Academic contribution

Methodological Quality

• Appropriate research methods
• Feasibility
• Research design

Relevance

Alignment with:

• Centre for Studies of Children, Youth, and Media
• EU Kids Online Norway

Personal Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Collaboration skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Self-motivation
• Ability to contribute positively to the research environment

Salary and Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Annual salary between NOK 595,000 and NOK 677,000, depending on qualifications and experience
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Excellent insurance benefits
• Attractive welfare benefits
• Career development support
• Access to world-class research facilities
• Opportunities to collaborate internationally
• Professional mentoring
• A stimulating interdisciplinary research environment

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare:

1. Motivation letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Research proposal
4. List of publications
5. Copies of academic certificates and diplomas (BA, MA, PhD)

All documents must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language.

Why You Should Apply

This fellowship offers numerous advantages, including:

• Four years of funded research
• International collaboration opportunities
• Participation in one of Europe’s leading research networks
• Access to unique datasets
• Teaching experience
• Career development support
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Strong pathway toward an Associate Professor position
• Work at Norway’s leading university
• Opportunities to publish internationally

Visit HERE for more information about the University of Oslo Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 in Children, Youth and Digital Media

Application Deadline

Deadline: 15 August 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.

APPLY HERE

Conclusion

The University of Oslo’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Children, Youth and Digital Media is an exceptional opportunity for emerging researchers seeking to establish themselves as leaders in digital media and childhood studies. Through the internationally renowned EU Kids Online network, successful applicants will gain access to collaborative research, valuable datasets, career development opportunities, and one of Europe’s strongest academic environments. If your research interests focus on children’s digital experiences, online wellbeing, media regulation, or digital literacy, this fellowship provides an ideal platform to produce impactful research while advancing your academic career in Norway.

For more global Fellowship opportunities visit OFY HERE