About the position

This PhD project will explore participation as a phenomenon in the Norwegian energy transition in order to increase the legitimacy and sustainability of deep decarbonization. Engagement and participation are in this project understood as vital to processes of knowledge- and technology development, as encompassing a potentially wide array of actors, and as constituted through relations within networks and ecologies of participation. This implies understanding participation in a broad sense, and critiquing understandings where participation is mainly thought to increase societal acceptance of pre-determined technological solutions, or where participation is seen as an activity that primarily involves harnessing the views of so-called lay people.

As part of this effort, the PhD will conduct the following three sub-studies:

• A mapping of the assumptions, knowledge claims and requirements that underpin policy for participation within themes such as renewable energy production facilities, or nationally funded energy innovation projects (policy analysis, document analysis)
• Strategic comparative case studies of projects that mobilize different strategies of participation and engagement recruited through NTRANS user partners
• Workshop with NTRANS user partners probing understandings of participation (what it is, what are the issues at stake, who should be involved, who should not be involved) with the normative goal of co-developing strategies and tools of democratic inclusion for the Norwegian energy transition

The PhD is funded by the Norwegian Centre for Energy Transition Strategies (NTRANS), where the candidate will be part of Research Area 1: Deep Decarbonisation and Wide Societal Change. NTRANS is a national research centre within the Social Sciences and Humanities studying Norway’s energy- and climate transition. The PhD will work closely with other PhDs/postdocs and researchers within NTRANS and other researchers focusing on energy and climate transition at the department.

Main duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant must

• Conduct empirical data collection through qualitative methods such as interviews, participant observation and focus groups, or other methods relevant to the research design
• Analyse such data through theories and concepts from Science and Technology Studies (STS)
• Complete the obligatory coursework in the Ph.D.-program for Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture
• Produce a PhD thesis, preferably based on peer reviewed articles published in key international journals
• Participate actively in at least one NTRANS user case
• Participate in other NTRANS activities when relevant, such as the development of scenarios
• Present, communicate and disseminate work at relevant national and international venues
• Be an active participant in the day-to-day activities at the department, the Centre for Technology and Society, and the research group on Energy, climate and environment

Qualification requirements

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 ECTS) with a strong academic background in Science and Technology studies (STS) or equivalent education. Examples are Sociology, Anthropology, Political science or Human geography. Candidates with a different academic background might be considered if they can document relevant research experience from related research activities. The Master’s thesis needs to have received a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. In addition:

• We will emphasise completion of the Master’s thesis on time
• Applicants should have knowledge of or interest in Social Science and Humanities studies of energy, sustainability transitions, controversies, participation, public engagement and inclusion, and/or interdisciplinarity
• The applicant should have experience with qualitative research methods
• We emphasize the ability to collaborate with others e.g. through co-authoring research papers, as well as the ability to conduct independent research 
• Applicants should have excellent English skills (written and oral)
• Fluency in a Scandinavian language will be considered an advantage

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.

The employee must complete the PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture within three years. The appointment period is divided with ½ year for compulsory course work and 2 ½ years for completion of the PhD project.

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 admission to the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture (https://www.ntnu.no/kult/forskerutdanning). 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 appointed candidate is required to have Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture 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 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.

About the application

The application should contain:

• CV
• A letter of motivation describing your scholarly profile including a brief research statement with preliminary ideas (max 2-3 pages)
• References
• A list of publications (if any)

The application must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge. For relevant applicants we will ask for references and conduct interviews.

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.

Given that 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/). With 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.

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

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.

More information can be obtained by contacting prof. Tomas Moe Skjølsvold (tomas.skjolsvold@ntnu.no), Marius Korsnes (marius.korsnes@ntnu.no) or prof. Marianne Ryghaug (marianne.ryghaug@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. 

Application deadline: 10.06.20

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 10th June 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll