About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD position within the field of architectural history at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) on the general topic: Architecture and the Scientific Revolution during the Early Modern Era.

Research project description

Architecture, and especially architectural theories of the early modern era are marked by their complex relationship to the new scientific perspectives that emerged at that time and that constitute the foundation of our modern scientific worldview. The proposed projects should address this complicated nexus of influences between architectural theory and the newly emerging science in the period from the fifteenth through the eighteenth century. In the early Renaissance the architectural theorist Leon Battista Alberti was the first to systematically theorise the quantification of space. Through the fifteenth and the sixteenth century his views merged with older proportional theories in the writings of architectural theorists, occasionally producing major syntheses of contemporary science and technology such as Daniele Barbaro’s commentary on Vitruvius’ De architectura. The scientific revolution of the seventeenth century brought about a whole range of new challenges to architectural theory that were sometimes in direct opposition to the design principles, the views about proportions, classical orders and spatial composition that Baroque architecture inherited from the Renaissance. Through the seventeenth and the eighteenth century architectural theorists had to position their work in relation to a series of changes when it comes to the scientifically credible worldview. In France, this led to the direct confrontation between ‘ancients’ and ‘moderns’; in Italy thinkers such as Guarino Guarini and Bernardo Vittone sought to find a middle way between older traditions and the newly emerging science.

We are inviting projects that will address the intellectual position of architects and architectural theorists in relation to the changes in the scientific worldview of the early modern era. It is expected that proposed topics will address specific aspects and elements of this complex network of ideas and arguments, such as the reactions of individual architects and theorists to the scientific revolution. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged. This call asks for the submission of proposals for a research project that will lead to a final doctoral dissertation.

Information about the Institute and the ‘Building Conservation’ Group

The Department of Architecture and Technology is part of NTNU’s Faculty of Architecture and Design. It has 91 staff members and consists of four groups. Besides the ‘Building Conservation’ group, other groups within the Department are Building Materials and Constructions, Form and Colour, and Energy and Environment. The ‘Building Conservation’ group also covers the teaching of and research in architectural history.

The position reports to Head of the Department.

Main duties and responsibilities

The PhD candidate will formulate the specific topic of the dissertation in dialogue with the main supervisor and will work towards the completion of the doctoral degree during the appointment. The appointment is for three years and does not include teaching duties. The position reports to the Head of the Department.

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 Architecture or in a relevant field of the humanities (such as the History of Art, Science or Philosophy) 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.

Candidates with a background in architecture should document their previous interest in historical research. Candidates with a background in the humanities should document their previous interest in architecture or architectural history. (In both cases such interests can be documented by publications, conference participation or previous academic work.)

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.

Excellent knowledge of English, including the necessary academic writing skills is required. It is expected that the candidate will have the necessary language skills to work with sources that are not in English or Scandinavian languages.

Personal characteristics

• Interest in historical research, and especially research in architectural history and intellectual history in general.
• High motivation for work in architectural history. The research proposal that the candidates are invited to submit (see the ‘Application contents’ section below) will play an important role in the evaluation of the application.
• High-level personal responsibility as well as the ability to work independently and to take initiatives.

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 duties. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in PhD programme in Architecture. 

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 Professor Branko Mitrović, phone number +47-45691406, e-mail branko.mitrovic@ntnu.no.

Application documentation

1. Curriculum vitae that must contain information about education, academic and work experience and previously published work.
2. Certified copies of transcripts.
3. A research proposal pertaining to the topic Architecture and the Scientific Revolution during the Early Modern Era. The proposal should be in English, up to 1500 words. The proposal should include a discussion of the candidate’s language skills that will enable him or her to approach the sources that are not in English or some Scandinavian language. 
4. In the case of candidates with a background in architecture: additional documentation showing their previous interest in historical studies.
5. In the case of candidates who do not have a background in architecture: additional documentation showing their previous interest in architecture or architectural history.
6. Documentation confirming the candidate’s knowledge of English. (Applies to the candidates who do not hold a degree from an English-speaking or Scandinavian university.)

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.

Application deadline: 08.12.2019

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.

Faculty of Architecture and Design

The Faculty of Architecture and Design conducts research and teaching in design, art, architecture, urban and regional planning, real estate development and facilities management, as well as traditional building crafts.The Faculty consists of four departments and a Faculty administration.

Deadline 8th December 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Gløshaugen