About the position

NTNU, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture (KULT), is announcing a 2-year vacancy (www.ntnu.no/kult) as a post doc in science and technology studies (STS). The post doc will be part of the departments centre for technology and society and the research group on energy and environment.

This is one of three positions announced simultaneously, in a new initiative that seeks to build capacity within social science and humanities (SSH) insights on energy transitions across NTNU (Team Society). Team Society is a concerted effort by NTNU to address sustainability transitions and energy transitions through social sciences and humanities disciplines and perspectives. The initiative is part of NTNU Energy, who also organizes a series of other and technologically oriented ‘teams’ (e.g. Team Wind, Team Hydrogen and team CCS). The post doc will also participate in activities organized through the Norwegian Centre for Energy Transition Strategies (NTRANS).

The primary task of the post doc will be to conduct research (see below). Beyond this, the post doc. will be expected to coordinate joint activities across Team Society and a related PhD cluster on sustainable mobility. Examples of such work could include organizing events and meetings, producing collaborative strategic texts (e.g. policy briefs) and collaborating with other Teams and relevant communities to advance understanding of SSH amongst technical energy scholars at NTNU.  

The post doc will produce and collaborate on academic research that studies developments within floating offshore wind power with a focus on the involved actors, their strategies and the societal consequences of the developments. Focus will be on the role of this relatively new technology in relation to existing socio-technical systems and associated industries. Examples include systems of electricity production and consumption, as well as extraction and distribution of oil and gas. The project seeks to problematize the relationships between incumbent actors, mature large-scale socio-technical systems, and radical niche-innovations. It does this by extending some dichotomies often found in literature on such issues – such as incumbents being resistant to transitions vs. new entrants focusing on radical innovations. The post doc will explore if new renewable energy technologies mobilized in this way serve as an extension of incumbent energy systems or is evidence for incumbents engaging with radical innovation.

Methodologically, the post doc should have a strong proven interest and experience in  mobilizing qualitative forms of social science. The post doc will also be encouraged to use mixed methods and complement qualitative research with critical studies of quantitative evidence (such as expectations of investors and comparisons of forecasts and scenarios).

Main duties and responsibilities

• The successful applicant must
• Conduct empirical data collection as described above
• Be able to analyze such data through theories and concepts from science and technology studies or related SSH theories, e.g. from within the sustainability transitions literature.
• Produce and publish research articles based on such methods and analyses
• Present and disseminate work at relevant national and international venues
• Coordinate and manage joint efforts across “Team Society”
• Be an active participant in the day-to-day activities at KULT, the centre for technology and society and in relevant initiatives at the department including FME NTRANS.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a PhD in Science and technology studies (STS), or a PhD in another relevant social scientific or humanities discipline. Examples include sociology, anthropology, innovation studies, political science or human geography.
• Applicants must be highly motivated to conduct cutting edge research through an intense two-year project.
• The successful candidate will have an aptitude for both collaboration and individual work
• Experience in research coordination, management or administration is an advantage
• Experience in interdisciplinary research is an advantage 
• Applicants should demonstrate relevant research experiences, either within social scientific and humanities studies of energy or through past analyses of the role of technology in society.
• The applicant should have an interest in, and experience in qualitative research methods
• Fluency in a Scandinavian language will be considered an advantage. 
• Excellent English skills are required (written and oral)

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. Completion of a Norwegian doctoral degree in [subject area] or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Personal characteristics

Personal suitability to enter cross-disciplinary research teams is a prerequisite. Suitable candidates should have the ability to cooperate, have good communication skills, be flexible and solution-oriented

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral candidates are remunerated in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 523 200 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 2 years.

The appointed candidate is required to have dept. of interdisciplinary studies of culture, NTNU as a daily working place.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

About the application:

The application should contain:

• CV
• A short letter of motivation/research statement describing your scholarly profile along with preliminary ideas on the structure of work to be conducted (max 2 pages).
• 3 references
• A list of publications

The application with attachments should be marked HF 19-045 and must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge. For relevant applicants we will gather references and conduct interviews.

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life (http://trondheim.com/). Having a population of 200 000, Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

More information can be obtained by contacting prof. Tomas Moe Skjølsvold, email: tomas.skjolsvold@ntnu.no, or prof. Marianne Ryghaug, email: marianne.ryghaug@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 20.02.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture

We conduct research and teaching in two subject areas: equality and diversity, and science and technology studies. The Department has an active research environment with a high proportion of external funding. The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture is one of six departments in the Faculty of Humanities.

Deadline 20th February 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll