This is a three year scholarship where the candidate is to follow training at a department of the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Tromsø, but base his/her research mainly at the Barents Institute. The project aims to study northern mining in a broad perspective relating economical growth and industrial development to a social and environmental context. It applies a multidisciplinary cultural approach to understanding sub arctic mineral extraction and its land uses in relation to global economical and political forces, national agendas and the interests of indigenous people and local citizens.  
 
The Barents Institute was established on 1st February 2006. Its working language is English. It’s a member of the University of the Arctic and located in the sub arctic village of Kirkenes, on the coast of north easternmost Norway. it’s close to northern Finland and on the border to Russia; Murmansk is the nearest city 250 km to the east. The institute is a research organisation of senior scientists, Post Doctorate Fellows, two PhD Candidates, and a number of associated MA Students from universities in Norway and Russia.
 
The successful candidate will initiate his/her primary research by proposing a PhD research project based on the approach outlined above, making use of his/her own expertise and previous experiences, and focussing contemporary and/or past cases of northern mining, as the subject of a doctoral dissertation at the University of Tromsø. Comparative perspectives and case studies in northern Scandinavia and northwest Russia, i.e. the Barents Region, are particularly welcome. A short plan for such a PhD project is to be part of the candidate’s application. This position offers resources for field research and the opportunity to travel to international seminars and conferences.
 
For additional information and to apply, please go to:
 
Questions about this position should be directed to:
 
Dr. Urban Wråkberg, Research Director
Barents Institute
PO Box 107
NO-9915 Kirkenes
Norway
 
Phone: +47-78 97 70 72
E-mail: urban.wrakberg@barentsinstitute.org
 
Initial review of completed applications will begin on 20th November, 2007, and will continue until the position has been filled.