About the Position and the Research Project

We are offering a fully funded PhD position in competitive professional gaming and movement sciences. The doctoral project will investigate how movement, perceptual–cognitive skills, and expertise are learned across highly competitive forms of gaming, such as chess and /or esports, drawing on contemporary theories from movement science. 

The project will examine what performers perceive and how they coordinate actions during competition, with a particular focus on the processes that guide skilled behaviour and decision-making. As such, the PhD project will adopt a multi-study mixed-methods design, involving participants ranging from elite competitors to individuals who are engaging with a competitive game for the first time.

Competitive gaming provides a unique and highly controlled environment for studying human movement learning and skill expertise. Both board-based and computer-based games offer closed, real-time systems in which skilled performance and learning processes can be examined in detail. Using competitive gaming as a model system, the project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the role of memory in dynamic competitive environments from a movement learning and expertise perspective, while also generating novel insights into learning theory and broader education philosophy. The project is expected to involve collaboration with leading stakeholders in competitive board gaming and esports industry, contributing to the development of the project’s research agenda.

The successful candidate will work in Professor James Rudd’s lab, which is situated within the DECO research group at the Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies. As such, the candidate will be embedded in an interdisciplinary research environment spanning movement science, education, sports, outdoor recreation, rehabilitation, and self-organized movement activities.

Qualification Requirements and Selection Process

The applicant must be qualified for admission to the PhD program at NIH: Application and enrollment - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. This means a grade of B or better from the applicant's master's degree or equivalent documentation of other scientific work.

Required qualifications• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in sport science or a closely related field. 
• Demonstrated strong quantitative methods and advanced analytical skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desired qualifications and experience• Candidates with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or data science, and with strong technical and analytical skills, are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience in education, skill acquisition, pedagogy, or expertise in complex systems.
• Experience with experimental data collection using technologies such as eye-tracking, EEG, motion tracking, or other sensor-based systems.
• Strong interest in computer games and/or esports; applicants who actively play computer games are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research environment.

The purpose of the recruitment position is for the candidate to obtain a doctoral degree during the research fellowship period. Admission to the doctoral program is therefore a condition for employment as a research fellow. It is a prerequisite that the candidate can carry out the project during the research fellowship period.

The employment is for a period of 3 years. Certain teaching and supervision tasks may be offered to the position as needed and will be compensated with additional employment time in the position. The research fellows will have their workplace at the Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies, NIH.

It is a prerequisite that the candidate submits a project description and application for admission to the doctoral program no later than 6 weeks from employment. A complete project description, including a proposal for a plan for the implementation of the doctoral education/progress plan, will be prepared in consultation with supervisors with a view to formal admission to the doctoral education at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The application will be processed in accordance with current guidelines for appointment to research fellowship positions, and appointment is made subject to admission to the PhD program.

The final plan for the research training must be approved and agreed no later than three months after taking up the position.

We offer
• Salary as a research fellow in position code 1017 (starting salary; gross annual salary 550 800 NOK)
• Exciting work tasks in an ambitious and dynamic work community
• A good and active working environment and interdisciplinary collaboration with other units
• Good benefits (pension, loans, and insurance) in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Excellent training facilities, corporate sports teams, and opportunities for exercise during working hours
• Immediate proximity to the metro and locked bicycle parking

How to apply

The application should be written in English, or Norwegian language; all attachments must be written in English or Norwegian. The application with attachments must be submitted via our electronic recruitment system, and comprise:
• Application Letter (motivation for the position, any scientific work, and research interests)
• A Short Project Description Sketch with some preliminary thoughts on the topic and background, theoretical approach, and how the PhD project can be designed and implemented related to the theme and purpose description (2-4 pages)
• CV (complete overview of education, practice, and academic work)
• Copies of Diplomas and Any Certificates
• Any Scientific Works and Publications to be considered in the qualification assessment
• List of 2-3 References (name, title, email, and phone number, and description of the relationship to the applicant)

When assessing applicants, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's academic and personal qualifications to complete the project. Suitable candidates will be invited for an interview.

For education outside Scandinavia, we request an explanation of the grading system. Applicants with a foreign master's degree are encouraged to apply to HKDIR for recognition of foreign education: Apply for recognition of your foreign higher education | HK-dir.

Other information

For more information about the PhD program at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, please refer to the following website: PhD program - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.

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 encouraged to contact the academic environment when preparing the application.

Academic Contacts:
- Supervisor James Robert Rudd, email: james@nih.no, phone +47 930 47 202
- Head of Department, Heidi M. Haraldsen, email: heidiha@nih.no, phone +47 92096066

Administrative Contacts:
- HR Department, Senior Advisor Elisabeth Olsen; email: elisabethol@nih.no
- PhD Program - Department of Academic Affairs, Senior Advisor, Mari Corell; email: maric@nih.no