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 to advance the use of data science - a combination of statistics and advanced information processing - in the area of sustainability analysis.

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.

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 at IndEcol participate in international expert groups, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Resource Panel, as well as international collaborative projects. This PhD project is related to the digital lab of IndEcol and the project “High Throughput Environmental Assessment Pipeline.” This research is led by Professor Edgar Hertwich and the manager of the digital lab, Dr. Konstantin Stadler, and supported by Adjunct Professor Richard Wood. Hertwich is an expert in multiregional input-output analysis and the life-cycle assessment of future technologies. He recently joined NTNU as International Chair and continues to advise a group of PhD students at the Center for Industrial Ecology at Yale University.

The Head of Department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position’s supervisor is Professor Edgar Hertwich.

Trondheim is the place of duty. The position is for a 3 year PhD, with startup expected in spring or summer of 2020. There may be options for ½ year of duty work connected to the digital lab.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Automate acquisition and processing of data used to construct Multiregional Input-Output Models and/or its environmental extensions
• Develop, test, implement, and document environmental and resource assessments employing the updated MRIO
• Document the work in Github and describe results in the scientific literature
• Complete a dissertation draft

Qualifications 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 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.

• A relevant Master’s degree in informatics, statistics, industrial ecology, economics, physics, mathematics, or operations research. We are also open for applicants with a social or natural science master’s with strong computational or statistical competence
• A technical background with competence in statistical analysis, machine learning, or mathematical modeling
• Strong programming skills (e.g., R, MatLab, Python)
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Evidence of an interest in sustainability
• Fluent in English language
• Good written and oral communications skills

Desirable qualifications:

• Evidence of ability to handle large complex datasets will be seen in a positive light
• Exposure to social science research, econometrics, and/or operations research will be evaluated positively
• Familiarity with one of the methods of industrial ecology, such as life cycle assessment, input-output analysis, or material flow accounting
• Competence in Norwegian is an advantage

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.

Personal characteristics

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated
• Ambitious and goal-oriented
• Ability to solve complex technical tasks independently
• 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 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

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.

General information on the Industrial Ecology Program is available from our website www.ntnu.edu/indecol

Further information on the position can be obtained from Professor Edgar Hertwich (edgar.hertwich@ntnu.no) or Dr. Konstantin Stadler (Konstantin.stadler@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.

We are looking for a candidate who is motivated to combine data science and industrial ecology and able to express this interest in a cover letter or research proposal.

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.

Please refer to the application number IV-47/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 19.02.2020

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 19th February 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Gløshaugen