About this role
The position and the scientific work The Department of Sport and Social Sciences, NIH, is advertising a three-to-four-year (depending on teaching assignments) PhD position in the field of sport management. The department comprises a broad academic environment that conducts research in sports philosophy, sports history, sports sociology, sports psychology, coaching, and sport management. The PhD project is partially predefined and focuses on how organized sport can contribute to increased physical activity among adults. Sport and physical activity are widely recognized as important contributors to public health, both in terms of physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, participation levels among adults remain a challenge. According to the EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC), only around 50% of the Norwegian population participated in sport and physical activity in 2024. Among those who are physically active, the majority use facilities in the commercial sector, such as private fitness centers, while only about 10% of adults aged 16 and above participate in sport and physical activity through organized, non-profit sport clubs and organizations. While physical activity in the commercial sector can generate important health benefits, organized sport may offer additional societal and individual value. In particular, participation in sport clubs and voluntary organizations can foster social interaction, community building, and a sense of belonging while also supporting the integration of (newly arrived) immigrants. These social dimensions are increasingly relevant in light of rising concerns about loneliness and social isolation—especially among older adults, but also among younger age groups—as well as ongoing processes of global migration. Loneliness is known to be associated with negative mental health outcomes, underscoring the importance of examining the social benefits of physical activity within organized sport settings. The PhD candidate will have considerable freedom to define the specific focus of the project within this overall thematic framework. The project must be grounded in relevant sub-disciplines within sport management, such as organization, marketing, communication, governance, or sport policy. The project should ideally focus on the Norwegian/Scandinavian context, but comparisons with other contexts can be integrated. Possible research directions include, but are not limited to, how organizational structures, practices, and offerings within organized sport can be developed to attract, include, and retain adult participants. A potential focus may also be on collaboration and interaction between actors within organized sport (e.g., sport clubs and federations) and actors outside the sport sector (e.g., sponsors, commercial providers, or public authorities), including how relationships within the broader sports ecosystem can contribute to increased participation among adults. The candidate may further choose to focus on specific adult population groups, such as older adults or retirees, or young adults, where new participation patterns and challenges—such as increasing mental health concerns—are emerging. Job Description The main tasks for a PhD candidate at NIH are to: complete an independent research project under supervision, complete PhD courses or other equivalent educational activities corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points, actively participate in research environments, including collaboration with fellow researchers, and disseminate research results, both at international conferences and in scientific journals. optional: The candidate may be engaged in teaching and supervision tasks depending on the department's teaching needs and the candidate's competencies. Competence requirements and candidate profile Applicants must be qualified for a PhD candidate position at NIH and must have a completed Master's degree in sport management or a related field with relevance for the announced position (minimum grade requirement B or international equivalent). For further information about NIH’s Ph.D.-program . Selection criteria and preferred candidate profile: Quality and relevance of educational background and the master’s degree Quality and relevance of the project description Personal suitability. The successful candidate is ambitious and has the ability of independent and creative thinking, enjoys working in an interdisciplinary environment, and has excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Experience with relevant research can be an advantage. Mastery of a Scandinavian language will strengthen the application. Formal regulations For more information about the PhD program at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, please see the rules and regulations for appointments to Ph.D. Research fellowships at NIH . Employment is subject to the conditions applicable to state employees. NIH has mandatory membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. According to the Freedom of Information Act § 25, second paragraph, information about the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not to be included on the applicant list. Inclusion and diversity are strengths, and NIH has a personnel policy goal of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, NIH seeks employees with diverse skills, subject combinations, life experiences, and perspectives. If you are a qualified applicant with a disability, a gap in your CV, or an immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box in the job applicant portal for this. NIH will invite at least one applicant for an interview if they are qualified, and if you get the job, we will accommodate any needs you may have. The ticking is used solely for anonymized statistics, apart from selecting the right candidate. Contact information Interested applicants are advised to contact the academic community in preparing the application. Further details can be obtained b