This is NTNU

At NTNU, creating knowledge for a better world is the vision that unites our 7 400 employees and 42 000 students.

We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

We have a vacancy for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) within the MSCA ITN Spatially Enhanced Learning Linked to STEM (SellSTEM) at the Language Acquisition and Language Processing Lab, Department of Language & Literature, NTNU. The successful candidate will work on the project

ESR3: Nature or nurture: which factors of spatial ability are most sensitive to development through focused instruction (NTNU)

and will be hosted by the LALP Lab - https://www.ntnu.edu/langdevlab

More information can be obtained at: https://sellstem.eu/projects

The position reports to the Head of Department, Department of Language and Literature, NTNU

Main duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant is to pursue a PhD degree in the PhD programme in language and linguistics, NTNU. This includes:

• Complete deliverables related to ESR3 project and outlined in SellSTEM Deliverables List
• Conduct research under ESR3 project
• In collaboration with other ESRs in WP3 complete deliverables within WP3 outlined in the ITN Deliverables List
• Prepare for publication and publish research outcomes from ESR3 project
• Participate in ITN-wide and local training
• Participate actively in LALP Lab events and research

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in psychology, language sciences, cognitive science, primary school education or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale.

Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation, and according to academic standard in country where the degree was obtained. A background in cognition, child development, language development, statistics, eye-tracking or neurophysiology/EEG/ERPs is expected. Missing background in language science can be compensated with additional ECTS earned in relevant courses offered by the host institution. Excellent English skills are required.

Appointment to the PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Language and Linguistics at NTNU. As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA according to MSCA ESR appointment guidelines

Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria (to be demonstrated in the Europass CV format):

Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers:

Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organization, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

English language: Network fellows (ESRs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training and to produce scientific outputs of high quality. Knowledge of the local language will weigh positively in selection.

Other qualifications

• Experimental research in spatial intelligence
• Research with children
• Statistical skills
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language will be appreciated.

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.

Personal characteristics

• Social and communication skills
• Excellent team-work skills

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 482 200 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.

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.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

Required documents to be enclosed with the application

• Transcript of MA degree or equivalent
• CV attesting years in education and research, and skills required for the position
• A letter of motivation with a tentative outline of research on the project

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.

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): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

 In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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.

In accordance with The Public 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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. Mila Vulchanova (LALP Lab Director), e-mail: mila.vulchanova@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 21-008 when applying.

Application deadline: 20.05.21

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 Language and Literature

We conduct research and teaching in comparative literature, English, French, Spanish, German, Scandinavian studies, linguistics, phonetics, applied linguistics, sign language and interpreting, and cultural history. We are also responsible for the five-year master’s programmes in teacher education (lektorutdanning) in language subjects. The Department has an active research environment with responsibility for several large research projects. The Department of Language and Literature is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Humanities.

Deadline 20th May 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll