About the position

The FME Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (FME ZEN; https://fmezen.no) connects Norway’s leading researchers aiming at developing, testing and implementing solutions that support Norway’s cities to reach their ambitious climate change mitigation goals.

The centre has an interdisciplinary approach, comprising technological research, as well as research into non-technical challenges such as economical, political, social, and cultural barriers against zero emission solutions. In collaboration with the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture, the PhD project “Representing zero emission built environments” was developed to describe, analyze and ultimately improve science communication in relation to the centre’s research.

About the PhD project 

To engage non-scientists in the often abstract work to make built environments CO2 neutral has proven to be challenging. In this PhD project, existing ways of communicating research on emissions reduction in built environments are analysed with the ultimate goal to propose promising alternatives. In terms of theory, the project, which in addition to the PhD comprises activities performed by experienced researchers, is informed by science and technology studies, the history and theories of art and architecture, and it mobilizes innovative approaches to science journalism. Based on these theoretical foundations existing representations are studied empirically and new ways of science communication are proposed.

Initially, the scope of the project is wide, including all kinds of non-scientific representation of scientifically motivated climate change mitigation efforts in built environments. This openness notwithstanding, the project’s close relation to the FME ZEN and the aim to support engagement among non-scientists directs particular attention towards public administrations and private businesses tasked with implementing zero emission built environments, as well as to future end-users. Reflecting their share in the Norwegian building stock, residential buildings will be the main focus.

Required qualifications

• The prospective candidate will analyze Norwegian texts and communicate the research to a Norwegian audience, proficiency in one of the Scandinavian languages is therefore required.
• We expect the candidate to be able to publish and discuss the research in English.
• The candidate must be able to document experience from at least two of the following research areas/disciplines:
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • The analysis of works of art in a broad sense (literature, fine arts, popular culture, architecture, …)
  • Science communication
• Experience with qualitative empirical methods

PhD studies at NTNU are organized in PhD programmes. Within 3 months after appointing the successful PhD scholarship holder, he/she must apply for admission to the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture.

For further information, please see https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phkult

To be accepted to the department’s PhD-programme at NTNU, you must have:

• completed at least five years of higher education that includes a master’s degree or other equivalent degree.
• a strong academic record and a weighted average for the last two years of your master’s degree equivalent to a B (= very good) or higher in NTNU’s grading scale. 
• 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, post doctor and research assistant.

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

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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 criteria 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.

The position is subject to external funding (ta stilling til om stillinger skal være betinget av ekstern finansiering).

The successful applicant’s primary work place will be at the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture at NTNU’s Dragvoll campus. It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application must be sent electronically through the website Jobbnorge (http://www.jobbnorge.no), and be marked with the file number for the position HF 20-021. The application must contain information about education, exams and previous employment.

The application must further include:

• A meaningful and clearly structured motivation letter (2-4 pages), containing reasonings about
  • the candidate’s favorite research topics and approaches so far
  • the advantages and difficulties related to inter- and/or transdisciplinary research (“inter”: between disciplines; “trans:” between science and non-science)
  • career ambitions and other practical considerations related to moving to Trondheim (including a statement regarding when the applicant can take up the position)
• Contact information of two reference persons that can be contacted by us
• A complete list of publications with full bibliographical references and the full text of relevant publication in case these publications are not publicly accessible

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

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

For more information about the position please contact Thomas Berker, thomas.berker@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. 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).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number HF 20-021 when applying.

Application deadline: 30. June 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 30th June 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 187625