Welcome to USN SPO (stipendiary and Postdoctoral Organization).
SPO represents the common academic, professional, and social interests of PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows at USN across all campuses and faculties.
The primary objective of SPO is to contribute to a strong academic and social working environment and to act as a unified representative voice for PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows in matters of shared interest.
SPO is a voluntary organization governed by an elected Board.
SPO will:
- Plan and facilitate academic and social arenas that support well‑being, engagement, and professional development among PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows.
- Ensure that activities are accessible across campuses and may be organized physically, digitally, or in hybrid formats.
- Act as a dialogue partner and advisory body in matters concerning PhD education and postdoctoral conditions, when appropriate.
- Nominate representatives to councils, committees, and project groups upon request, where participation is relevant to the mandate.
See the full information in the document: Charter and Statutes in SPO's Teams room (open to all PhD Rsearch Fellows and Postdocors at USN).
SPO encourages all early-career researchers at USN to engage with the organisation and contribute to its activities. Contact: usnspo@usn.no
New SPO Board to strengthen community for early-career researchers at USN
SPO has elected a new board at its general meeting on 13 May 2026. The new board will contribute to strengthening collaboration, representation, and professional development opportunities for early-career researchers across the university.
The general meeting brought together PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and USN representatives to review the past year’s activities and discuss the organisation’s future direction. An updated charter and statutes were approved, clarifying SPO’s role and supporting sustainable operations across campuses.
(The meeting minutes and the new Charter and Statutes are published in SPO Teams room).
New board members:
- President: Oda Sætre
- Secretary: Margarida Vasconcelos
- Treasurer: Alessandro Bonfanti
- Chair of Social Affairs: Emma Carlenius
- Chair of Academic Affairs: Supriya Pandeya
Priorities for autumn 2026 include:
- Developing cross-campus meeting places and activities
- Strengthening an inclusive and supportive research community
- Establishing local PhD and postdoc representatives at each campus