"The role of intermediaries in pilot and demonstration projects"

About the position

At NTNU, dept. of interdisciplinary studies of culture, www.ntnu.no/kult , there is a 2-year vacancy in science and technology studies (STS) as a post doc. The post doc will be part of the centre for technology and society and the research group on energy and environment. The project title is "The role of intermediaries in pilot and demonstration projects".

The PhD is funded by the Centre for intelligent electricity distribution (FME CINELDI, www.cineldi.no), where the candidate will be part of WP5 (Flexible resources). CINELDI is a multidisciplinary research centre focusing on future intelligent electricity distribution grid. The Post Doc will work closely with other PhDs/PostDocs and researchers within CINELDI and other projects on energy transitions at the department. The candidate will also participate in activities organized through FME NTRANS (www.ntrans.no).

The post doc. will conduct research focusing on socio-technical aspects of pilot and demonstration projects within smart energy systems. More specifically, the post doc. will focus on the role of intermediary actors. These are organizations and people that work to coordinate, link, anchor, educate, train and in other ways facilitate work that is needed for pilots to work properly, or further, who works to ensure that the proposed solutions work beyond pilot and demonstration contexts. This postdoc explores the various roles that intermediary actors may take in demonstration and pilot projects, with a particular focus on the intended or unintended consequences for service provision, up-scaling, end-users and wide-scale societal effects.

Main duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant must

• Conduct empirical data collection through qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups, potentially in combination with quantitative methods.
• Be able to analyse such data through theories and concepts from science and technology studies
• Produce research articles based on such methods and analyses
• Present and disseminate work at relevant national and international venues
• Be an active participant in the day-to-day activities at KULT, the centre for technology and society and in relevant research groups at the department including FME CINELDI and 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 are sociology, anthropology, political science or human geography.
• Applicants must be highly motivated to conduct cutting edge research through an intense two-year project
• Experience in interdisciplinary work (e.g. collaborations between engineers and social scientists) is an advantage 
• Applicants should demonstrate relevant research experiences, either within social scientific and humanities studies of energy, through past analyses of the role of technology in society or through experiences with qualitative research methods.
• 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)

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.

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 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 describing your scholarly profile along with some preliminary ideas about how this relates to the topic of the post doc  (1-2 pages)
• References
• A list of publications

The application with attachments should be marked HF 19-036 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

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. 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.

CINELDI works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, who manage critical infrastructure. A comprehensive risk assessment of the candidates' research interests and potential activities related to national threat assessments will therefore also form basis for the final selection of candidates.

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: 01.11.2019

About the application:

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. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

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.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities offers a wide range of study programmes in the humanities, and is Norway’s second largest faculty of humanities measured in the number of students. We develop leading academic groups in the action-oriented humanities, as well as innovative and inquiry-based teaching and learning. The Faculty consists of six departments as well as a Faculty administration.

Deadline 1st November 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll