PhD Research Fellowship in Games and Interactive Digital Narratives, Center for Digital Narrative

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PhD Research Fellowship

For its involvement in the Center for Digital Narrative, the Department of Information Science and Media Studies invites applications for a PhD position in game studies commencing February 1, 2027, or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of three years.

We are seeking a PhD fellow who will study games and interactive digital narratives from the player perspective, focusing on how players or player communities construct and make sense of games and interactive applications as narrative experiences through playful participation.

Relevant approaches may combine player studies with game analysis and co-design, with attention to new areas of applied social research.

About the department, the research center and research group

The Department of Information Science and Media Studies is a multidisciplinary department at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bergen, covering research on media and information technology from the social sciences, humanities, and computer science. This PhD position is located at the Center of Excellence in Digital Narrative (CDN), a world-leading center of research excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway. The center investigates emerging forms of digital narrative and how cultural contexts are reshaping their use and function.

The PhD fellow will work in the research group Computer Games and Interactive Digital Narrative. The aim of the research group is to advance our understanding of how agency, interactivity, and play shape human experience of digital narratives. The research group focuses on how digital narratives function in games by studying new narrative structures and player experiences, and is attentive towards narratives not only as structures but as cognitive models of sensemaking, including questions of how player communities experience stories and how they may use stories for making sense of games and game culture.

Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the Center of Digital Narrative research areas, as described on the center website.

About the PhD position and the research training

The main purpose of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral degree, which qualifies for independent research and other forms of employment that demand specific competency. The duration of the PhD position is three years.

As a PhD candidate, you must participate in the Faculty of Social Sciences’ educational programme. The PhD programme comprises a training component corresponding to 30 ECTS, amounting to one semester. In total, this means that 2.5 out of four years are allocated to working on the research project itself.

Qualifications and personal qualities

The applicant must hold a Norwegian master’s degree or the equivalent foreign degree in game studies, digital culture, media studies, or related field. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded by the application deadline. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. Applicants who document a foreign degree will be evaluated according to the regulations of the HKdir and The Faculty of the Social Sciences’ PhD Programme plan.The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the master's degree in total The applicant must be able to work independently in a well-structured manner and have strong cooperation skills. The applicant must be proficient in both written and oral English. 

Experience in any of the following areas is advantageous:

Academic research in game studies and/or digital narratives in the MA thesis.Past publication of research or research communication. Use of relevant game studies methods.

Applicants will be evaluated according to admission requirements in The Faculty of Social Sciences' PhD Program.

Applicants must submit a proposal for a research project that will result in a doctoral dissertation, as well as a progress plan for the project. Admittance to the PhD programme will be based on the research proposal.

In assessing the applications, the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed PhD project and the academic qualifications of the candidate will be considered. Further emphasis is placed on strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant's personal eligibility.

We can offer

A stimulating and professionally challenging work environment. Salary of NOK 593 700, - following ordinary meriting regulations. Automatic salary increases for up to 4 years with a 3% annual increase.Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension FundA position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise)Good welfare benefits

How to apply for the job

Apply electronically via the link "APPLY FOR THIS JOB". Applicants are required to use the electronic CV form.

A project proposal of up to five pages/12.000 characters, when bibliography is not included. The project proposal should describe the research project, including research background, main research questions, theory, method, etc. Any use of generative language models in the development of the proposal must be acknowledged.  Bibliography for the proposed project. A progress plan for the project. A brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position. CV. Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. This must contain information about the number of ECTS of the master’s degree or be followed by an official and personalized confirmation with this information issued by the awarding institution.  A short summary of the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis (up to three pages). A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list). Publications in your name (up to three works). Relevant certificates/references. The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main supervisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis. 

The application and attachments must be in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language, or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. Please ensure that all attachments are in either Word or PDF format and are uploaded to Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

Shortlisted candidates will be called in to an interview.

Applications submitted without a project description or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.

Application dealine is October 15, 2026.

Formal regulations

Applicants who have already held a PhD position at the University of Bergen are not eligible to apply for this position.

The employment period may be reduced for candidates who have previously been employed in a recruitment position at other institutions.

The PhD position demands that the applicant has their regular workplace at the University of Bergen and comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

General information

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting the PI of the Computer Games and Digital Narrative research group at the Center for Digital Narrative, Professor Kristine Jørgensen at [email protected], phone: +47 55 58 41 13.

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to Adviser – HR, Gudrun Horvei, [email protected].

Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Questions about the programme may be directed to Adviser Elina Troscenko, [email protected]

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

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