About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD position at Department of Energy and Process Engineering

Data science has recently emerged as a scientific field and practice of analysis of big data sets aided by advances in data storage, retrieval, search, and computation. It makes use of statistics or techniques such as machine learning. The application of data science to sustainability is nascent. Use of large data sets, such as those connected to global models of the economy (multiregional input-output analysis) or earth observation systems, is well established, but there is much room in the acquisition and utilization of new data, improvement in techniques and practices, and the provision of insights. In addition to empirical analysis, there is an opportunity to use empirical observations to investigate options for future developments, e.g. by parametrizing models.

Industrial ecology is an expanding and maturing research field that 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 (multiregional input-output analysis). The field is currently expanding to include econometric analysis of its modeling results and spatially-explicit description of both economic activity and environmental impacts. Industrial ecology is increasingly used to inform public policy and corporate decision making.

NTNU-IndEcol is a pioneer in the development and application of industrial ecology methods, as well as the use of large data sets and scientific computing in industrial ecology.  Researchers as NTNU-IndEcol participate in international export groups, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Resource Panel, as well as international collaborative projects.

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Professor Edgar Hertwich, and it will involve an interdisciplinary team of faculty and researchers. Hertwich is an expert in multiregional input-output analysis and the life-cycle assessment of future technologies. He joins NTNU as International Chair and continues to advise a group of PhD students at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University.

The position reports to Head of Department Prof. Terese Løvås.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Advance analysis methods of greenhouse gas emissions, resource use
• Develop tools and methods to harvest and continuously update data used by industrial ecology tools to track progress towards sustainability
• Learn to identify opportunities for data science to provide new insights to sustainability

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 credits) with a strong academic background in informatics, statistics, industrial ecology, economics, physics, mathematics, operations research, engineering 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.

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.

Other qualifications

• Strong analytical capabilities
• good written and oral communications skills in English; Scandinavian language skills are a plus
• competence in statistical analysis, databases and/or mathematical modeling
• Evidence of coursework or work experience related to environment, sustainability
• Strong programming (e.g., R, MatLab, Python)
• evidence of ability to handle large complex datasets will be seen in a positive light.
• Competence in operations research, optimization, or exposure to social science/economics will be evaluated positively.

Personal characteristics

• Community-oriented, interested in working in an interdisciplinary team
• Persistent, goal-oriented, able to complete tasks
• Motivated to protect the environment

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 449 400 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 without required duties. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Engineering, please see https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv. 

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

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.

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

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, cover letter, writing sample, diplomas and certificates. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number SO-IV-16/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 15.06.2019.

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 15th June 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering