About the position

The Industrial Ecology Program (IndEcol), Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD Candidate for a collaborative project on product life extension. Trying to move away from the throw-away society, efforts to increase resource efficiency by product life extension is one of the ways in which an increasingly circular economy can be attained. Product life extension is likely to reduce impacts during the manufacturing of products but may also increase the impacts of operations and maintenance. This research focus on household durables, their environmental impact, socioeconomic determinants of environmental impact, and options to reduce impacts. The PhD is part of the LASTING project, led by the Consumption Research Institute (SIFO) in Oslo and is conducted in collaboration with partners in other research institutes, companies, and non-governmental organizations.

Industrial ecology models the use of resources and causation of emissions in the economy, thus providing critical insights into the nature-society interface and options to reduce adverse effects through changes in technology, management practice, or consumption patterns.

Its application ranges from individual production processes through value chains (life-cycle assessment, widely applied in industry) through the tracing of individual and aggregated resources (substance or material flow analysis) to models of national and global economies (multi-regional input-output analysis). Statistics and geospatial information are utilized to analyze results and provide spatially-explicit descriptions of both economic activity and environmental impacts.

IndEcol is a pioneer in the development of industrial ecology methods, in particular within the area of sustainable consumption and carbon footprinting, as well as the use of large data sets and scientific computing in industrial ecology. Researchers at IndEcol participate in international expert groups, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Resource Panel (IRP), as well as international collaborative projects.

The Head of Department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position’s supervisor is Professor Edgar Hertwich, the co-supervisor is Associate Professor Johan Pettersen.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop life cycle assessment models of household durables
• Develop a vintage stock model for household durables
• Data acquisition and documentation
• Conduct analysis and write up journal manuscripts
• Complete and defend a dissertation within 3 years

Qualification requirements

Essential qualifications:

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 industrial ecology, engineering, economics, social science, natural science, mathematics, 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. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

• Mathematical skills (Linear algebra and statistics)
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Software skills (e.g., R, Stata, or GIS)
• Good written and oral English language skills

Desirable qualificaitons:

• It is considered a strength if the candidate also speaks a Scandinavian language
• It is considered an advantage if the candidate already knows life cycle assessment and/or material flow analysis
• It is considered an advantage if the candidate has some interest in and knowledge of social sciences and economics

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

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated
• Motivated to solve environmental problems, advance sustainability
• Ambitious and goal-oriented
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills

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

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 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 3 years. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Engineering. 

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.

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.

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.

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

About the application:

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Edgar Hertwich, e-mail edgar.hertwich@ntnu.no

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. Your cover letter should describe your motivation for the position and provide insights that go beyond what is evident from your CV. Please include a writing sample, such as an article or thesis. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

It is necessary to include a Diploma Supplement with European Masters Diplomas from outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Masters Diplomas from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/.　　

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

Please refer to application number IV-55/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 28.02.2020

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 Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 28th February 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term