About the position

The Department of Computer Science (IDI) at NTNU has a vacancy for one PhD fellowship in the intersection between the Information Systems and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). We are seeking a talented master graduate with a passion for conducting empirical studies of work practices in data science. The position will be affiliated with the Applied Information Technologies (AIT) group at IDI.

Data science (sometimes used interchangeably with big data or business analytics) encompasses problem definitions, principles, algorithms, and processes that can be combined in different ways to develop insights from large datasets.

The goal of this PhD fellowship is to complement existing technological perspectives, with a sociotechnical analysis of data science in practice. The focus on data science in practice will rely on a cross-disciplinary perspective, based on two academic areas of Information Systems and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), to flesh out the social and technical factors that concur in the work of data science. This perspective includes an analysis of the day-to-day practices, work processes, and information systems and infrastructures adopted by data scientists (sometimes called data managers) to prepare, integrate, and make sense of heterogeneous datasets in constantly evolving contexts.

At IDI, we are frontrunners in the study of data-driven digitalization processes in different business sectors. There are several ongoing initiatives at IDI that are relevant for this position. The empirical study will therefore be conducted via existing collaborations with one or more organizations in the following domains: offshore operations in the energy industry, long-term environmental monitoring, and outsourcing of ICT services.

The main research strategy that the PhD fellow is expected to adopt will be based on empirical methods, mainly qualitative data collection and analysis. The adoption of other approaches, such as mixed methods, can be considered as an addition.

The position reports to Head of department

Main duties and responsibilities

• Conduct extensive empirically grounded research on the work of data scientists in public and private organizations
• Contribute to the state of the art by developing a theoretical framework to describe the findings and inform ongoing digitalization processes
• Publish in international conferences and journals in the relevant fields
• Participate in the professional community within the relevant areas of IDI

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 Information Systems, Information Science CSCW, 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.

In addition, the applicant should meet the following requirements:

• Have a background with empirical and in particular qualitative research methods
• Have interest in conducting research in external organizations
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Be willing to collaborate with other researchers in a cross-disciplinary setting
• The applicant’s master thesis must be research-oriented
• Publication activities in relevant disciplines will be considered an advantage
• Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills

As the informants will mostly be Norwegian, knowledge of a Scandinavian language is desired, but it is not a pre-requisite. Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Personal characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire knowledge in new topics
• Passion for uncovering new knowledge and explaining it to others
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team-based environment.
• Enjoy cross-disciplinary challenges
• Ability to interact, also independently, with external organizations

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 without teaching duty, or 4 years with 25% of the time spent on specified work (e.g., teaching duties). Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Information Technology https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phit. 

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.

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

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Elena Parmiggiani, phone number +47 450 24 313, e-mail parmiggi@ntnu.no or Head of Department John Krogstie, e-mail john.krogstie@ntnu.no.

About the application:

The application must contain:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) with information about the candidate’s prior training, exams, and work experience
• Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas for the whole bachelor and master’s degree. An English translation of all education documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian
• A project description of 3-5 pages, including
  • A short presentation of the motivation for applying to this position
  • How the candidate sees her/his background as suitable
  • Theoretical and methodological knowledge about the research area
  • A sketch of important research problems
• Names and contact information of at least 2 reference persons
• A copy of the master thesis (in PDF), or, for those who are near to completion of their MSc, an extended abstract combined with a statement of how and when the applicant plans to complete the thesis.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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/).

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

Please refer to the application number 2019/19190 when applying.

• Application deadline: 31.08.2019

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 Computer Science 

We are the leading academic IT environment in Norway, and offer a wide range of theoretical and applied IT programmes of study at all levels. Our subject areas include hardware, algorithms, visual computing, AI, databases, software engineering, information systems, learning technology, HCI, CSCW, IT operations and applied data processing. The Department has groups in both Trondheim and Gjøvik. The Department of Computer Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 31st August 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim