Can you tell us about your daily life as a research fellow?
Life as a research fellow is both varied and stimulating. For me it involves a combination of conducting my own research, participating in research groups, teaching and mentoring students.
Writing a doctorate is challenging yet immensely rewarding. It offers the opportunity to travel to exciting places, meet fascinating people, and discuss important and interesting issues. A typical day may involve reading and analysing research articles, working on statistics and models, writing research papers, and attending seminars and conferences. You work closely with colleagues and have many opportunities for feedback on your work, which is invaluable.
The research fellow position is what we call a ‘free and independent position,’ which means that there is a great deal of freedom but also a lot of responsibility. There are many stakeholders and individuals to interact with, as well as deadlines and milestones that must be met. This combination of freedom and responsibility makes the research fellow position both challenging and fulfilling, and it is essential to stay focused and structured. As a research fellow, I experience a lot of professional and personal growth while contributing to expanding the knowledge frontier in my research field.
Why did you want to become a research fellow at UiA?
I have a master's degree in financial economics from the University of Agder, where I wrote my thesis on the relationship between loan defaults and operational costs in microfinance institutions. Along the way, I developed a particular interest in alternative finance, especially the drivers of success in this industry. Research work was new to me, but I have always been curious and eager to learn, and quickly realised that this was something I enjoyed.
Based on my master's thesis, I was encouraged to apply for a PhD position at UiA and seized the chance to explore the effect of audit and governance in microfinance organisations, when I recognised the importance of these factors for the industry. A PhD position at UiA was especially attractive due to the university's strong position in microfinance, its excellent international relations, and its significant contributions to research in this field. The affiliation with international research groups such as CERSEM and CERMi were also important factors that made the position attractive.
How would you describe working at UiA and being part of this research environment?
I thoroughly enjoy working at UiA. The university provides an inclusive and supportive work environment, making it a great place to work and grow as a researcher. The people here are competent and dedicated, which has a motivating effect on me. The research environment is dynamic and characterised by international collaboration, allowing for exciting and innovative projects as well as collaborations with researchers from around the world.
Would you recommend applying for a research fellow position at UiA?
Yes, I would definitely recommend others to apply for a research fellow position at UiA. The university offers comprehensive support for research fellows, including supervision from experienced researchers, access to necessary resources, and great opportunities for academic development. The research community is very engaging and inspiring, with many opportunities for both national and international collaboration. UiA is also a university that respects the balance between work and leisure, which is important for wellbeing and productivity.
At the School of Business and Law, we have many research fellows on co-tutelle agreements, where they split their time between UiA and a university abroad. This is a very exciting option that I would encourage motivated applicants to explore. Moreover, research fellow positions at the School of Business and Law have been advertised in cohorts, which has led to a particularly strong sense of community among the fellows. Additionally, UiAdoc, an organisation that represents PhD and postdoc researchers at UiA, is a positive contributor to a good work environment, personal development, and networking across the whole university.