After the PhD degree

In 2022 a survey was conducted on behalf of the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills to find out more about the professional situation of the graduated research fellows and what it had meant for them to complete the Norwegian Artistic Research Fellowship Programme or a doctoral degree programme in artistic research. 

Nearly all of them now had a relevant job. There was considerable variation in how long graduates had been gainfully employed after completing the programme. Virtually all of the graduated research fellows stated that they have a job at the time of the survey (autumn 2021). Thirty-nine per cent did hold a permanent position, while 59 per cent were self-employed, freelancer, in a temporary position, a contract worker or other forms of work. As many as 95 per cent did find their job relevant. Also, 57 per cent had a secondary position in addition to their principal position. Forty-one per cent work in the capital of Norway, Oslo.  

Sixty-two per cent worked in the public sector, 35 per cent in the private sector. Eight out of ten worked in the higher education sector or in performing arts. The majority of those employed in the public sector work at universities and university colleges, while most of those in the private sector work in performing arts.  

For 33 per cent, a PhD was a formal requirement for appointment to their current position.The majority of graduates found their first relevant job through their personal network, but job advertisements and direct contact with the employer were also much used channels and methods for finding work. 

Graduate Survey: A door opener in the arts field 

The first (and so far, only) Graduate Survey related to PhD degree in artistic research in Norway was conducted by the analysis company ideas2evidence. The goal of the survey was to map what benefit graduates derived from these study programmes and their significance for the graduates' professional careers. Among other things, the survey describes the graduates' backgrounds and their current work situation. The survey covers typical graduate survey topics such as sector, industry, percentage of a full-time position and pay. The graduates' assessments of the programme and how it has benefited their career are a key part of the survey. In the report, you can also hear from the graduates through excerpts from comments written by the graduates themselves.   

In 2024 a new regulation to the Universities and Colleges Act (UH Act) came into force. The regulation brought some important changes that are relevant for PhD students (§ 3-19 Research Fellow): A career plan must be drawn up that specifies the competence that the research fellow (PhD student) should acquire. The institution is responsible for ensuring that the career plan is followed up and that the research fellow has access to career guidance throughout the doctoral education. 

Your institution might have a career centre, like the one you can find at the University of Bergen: The UiB Ferd Career Centre for Early Stage Researchers. Such centres provide tools, resources, training and career guidance. 

EUA-Council of Doctoral Education made a report in 2024 on postdoctoral researchers at european universities. 

Graduated PhD candidates may apply for positions as Post doctors (PostDoc), Assoicate Professors, or even Professors. Vacant positions at universities and university colleges should normally be announced public. You might find information about vacant positions at the institution's webpages and JobbNorge. You need to meet certain criteria, besides keeping a PhD degree, and the criteria may vary from institution to institution and for the specific position. You will find the criteria in the announcement, but you can also find the general criteria and a description of the competence assessment process in the national regulations (chapter 3).  

If you hold a position as Associate Professor, you have a right to apply for a competence assessment to see if you meet the criteria for the title Professor. This means that you do not need to wait for for a vacant Professor position, but that you can gain additional competence as Associate Professor and apply for promotion.  

Artists can apply for government's grants and other funds. Arts and Culture Norway is the main governmental operator for the implementation of Norwegian cultural policy. Arts and Culture Norway functions as an advisory body to the central government and public sector on cultural affairs and is fully financed by the Ministry ofCulture and Equality. They offer A short guide to Arts and Culture Norway. 

Artist in Residence – Norway offers an overview of temporary residences for artists.  

Artists with a PhD degree might also work as guest teachers at universities and university colleges. The seminar leaders and moderators of the Norwegian Artistic Research School´a seminars are normally graduated PhD students; recruited both from inside and outside Academia.  

The Artistic Research Forum (ARF) is the most established, largest, and diverse gathering around artistic research in Norway. Participation at ARF is free of charge and open to alumni and other interested. At the conference you can meet peers, get insight into ongoing artistic research, and stay in touch with and strengthen your professional network. The moderators of sessions are normally graduated PhD students, and you can apply if you are interested in being a moderator at ARF. All moderators receive a fee.