How do I find a position as a scientist abroad?
How do I find a job in an EU/EEA country?
Can I work in countries outside the EU?
Where do I find information about higher education abroad?
Will I receive financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) to study abroad?
I am planning to stay at home with the children. What benefits can I receive from Norway?
Can I make use of advisory and employment services? 

 

Positions for scientists abroad

Personal networks often provide a starting point for organising a research stay or finding a research position abroad. It is important to make use of your own contacts and those of your research community. Alternatively you can apply for advertised positions. The following are some useful job databases:

• Positions for scientists in Europe are advertised on: www.euraxess.eu
• The Scientist Careers: www.the-scientist.com/careers/
• Inside Higher Ed, Job Seekers/Dual Career: www.insidehighered.com

Apply for other positions abroad

As well as applying for advertised positions it can be a good idea to send speculative applications or contact employers or particular research groups directly stating your interest in working with them and outlining your relevant expertise. Traditions vary when it comes to employing people, so this may be the decisive factor that determines whether you are given a job.

Research institutions in some countries are very open to employing scientists’ partners, who are not researchers themselves but are often highly qualified, in administrative positions.

Europe
As a citizen of the EU/EEA you can apply for jobs freely in other European countries.

• Contact Euraxess Services Network if you are planning to live in another European country. Several countries have their own advisory services for partners accompanying mobile researchers on a research stay abroad and the Euraxess network can put you in contact with them. Read more
• European Employment Services (EURES) advertises vacant positions in European countries and to some extent countries in other parts of the world. EURES advisers also offer advice and guidance throughout the job-seeking process. You can therefore start looking for a job even before you leave Norway. Read more

Outside Europe
You will need a work permit to be able to work outside the EU/EEA. Contact the relevant embassy for information about obtaining a work permit.

The following are some useful job databases:

• CareerOneStop:www.careeronestop.org
• Inside Higher Ed, Job Seekers/Dual Career: www.insidehighered.com/
• jobs.ac.uk, academic positions all over the world: www.jobs.ac.uk/
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs jobs database and overview of international organisations (Norwegian only): www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/aktuelt/stillinger.html?id=468706
• WorldwideWorker.com advertises international positions in the oil and gas sector: www.worldwideworker.com/energy-jobs/

Voluntary work

In a large number of countries there are also many opportunities for voluntary, unpaid work. The following is a useful portal for voluntary work:

• Volunteer Abroad: www.volunteerabroad.com/search.cfm

Higher education abroad

The Association of Norwegian Students Abroad (ANSA) information centre for higher education abroad provides information and advice on studying abroad. ANSA answers enquiries on a wide range of topics, such as general country information, subject areas, application processes, recognition of qualifications and practical issues. www.ansa.no

The following are useful databases and portals related to studying abroad:

• The European Commission’s database of Master’s programmes: www.mastersportal.eu/
• BrainTrack – lists universities all over the world: www.braintrack.com

 

Financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund 
 

You may be eligible to receive support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) if you study full-time at an officially approved institution and if the programme is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree programme, and has the same admission requirements as in Norway.Read more on the Lånekassen website

 

Staying at home with children

Many people plan to have children to coincide with a research stay abroad, so that one of the partners can stay at home with the children while the other one works. You may be entitled to the following financial benefits:

• Maternity and parental benefits: check with NAV International to find out if you retain your membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme while you are abroad. Membership entitles you to maternity and parental benefits. 
• Child benefit: for stays of up to six months in EU/EEA countries, you will continue to receive child benefit. In exceptional cases you may be eligible to receive child benefit for stays of more than six months in EU/EEA countries and in countries outside the EU/EEA with which Norway has a social security agreement. If you retain your membership of the National Insurance Scheme you will also continue to receive child benefit in countries with which Norway does not have an agreement.
• Cash benefit for families with small children: only in exceptional cases can you continue to receive cash benefit abroad if you are staying in another Nordic country or staying no more than three months in an EU/EEA country.

Read more about family related benefits
 

See also: The Association of Norwegian Students Abroad (ANSA) The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) EURAXESS Services Network European Employment Services (EURES) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Europe portal (in Norwegian)