About the position

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture at NTNU has a vacancy for a full-time fully funded 3-year PhD position in science and technology studies (STS). The PhD candidate (stipendiat) will be part of the research group on Energy and Environment nested within the department’s Centre for Technology and Society. Close connections will also be maintained with the department’s Centre for Gender Studies.

The position is part of the project Risk in the information society: towards epistemic justice recently funded by the Research Council of Norway. The PhD candidate will primarily collaborate with the principal researcher and senior researcher in the project while also being part of the vibrant research culture of KULT and the broader NTNU community.

The research project will focus on mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion of knowledges other than scientific expertise into knowledge-intensive processes. Critical infrastructures and their design and governance have been selected as a strategic site to investigate such processes. Special focus will be on exclusions related to indigeneity as well as gendered knowledge hierarchies. Theoretically, the work will be rooted in the broader tradition of science and technology studies. Empirically, the research will be case-study based and include methods such as interviews, site visits, and participant observation. It is expected that the empirical work will take place both inside and outside Norway. The candidate will receive financial support for attending (international) research and networking activities and events directly connected with the project.

A more detailed description of the whole project, of which includes the PhD project, is available from the principal researcher. Applicants are advised to contact the principal researcher Govert Valkenburg (govert.valkenburg@ntnu.no) prior to applying for more detailed information.

Duties of the position

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct empirical social-scientific research into issues of the use of various knowledges in processes of innovation and governance. Fieldwork outside Norway is considered a possibility.
• Translate the research into academic research output, notably a PhD thesis which may consist of multiple peer-reviewed journal papers. In addition, the research will be presented at international conferences.
• Report to the principle researcher and closely collaborate with the research team (consisting of the principal researcher and a senior researcher) throughout the project, including activities in outreach and dissemination activities, some in the form of action research.
• PhD studies at NTNU is organized in PhD programmes. Within 3 months after appointing the successful PhD scholarship holder, he/she must apply for admission to the PhD programme in interdisciplinary studies of culture. For further information, please see https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phkult

Required selection criteria

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds a master’s degree or equivalent with excellent results in Science and technology Studies (STS) or other relevant humanities or social scientific disciplines (e.g. sociology, human geography, anthropology, political science, philosophy).
• Has an interest in and documented experience with qualitative research methods.
• Speaks and writes English at a high level.
• Has experience with or interest in social scientific research of science, technology, and innovation.

Desired criteria

In addition, the following properties are considered beneficial:

• Ability to conduct qualitative interviews in a Nordic language.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily. Starting date is envisioned at January 1, 2021, but is to some extent negotiable.

The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in [subject area] or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable 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, post doctor and research assistant.

Personal characteristics

• Curious and eager to learn
• Intellectually creative
• Well-organized
• Both a team-player and an independent worker

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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 and is not envisioned to include teaching obligations.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in [subject area] (Link to website, if applicable) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

The application should contain:

• CV
• Scans of relevant diplomas and certificates. 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).
• A short letter of motivation describing how you envision fulfilling the duties connected to the position (max 2 pages)
• Contact details of two persons who can provide relevant references
• A list of grades plus (link to) an explanation of how grades should be interpreted in your country of education 

The application with attachments should be marked HF 19-019 must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge. For relevant applicants we will conduct interviews and gather references. Given the current COVID-19 situation, it is most likely that interviews will take place via Skype or similar.

The deadline for application is Monday 19 June 2020, end-of-business.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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

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. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Govert Valkenburg, email govert.valkenburg@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. Please refer to the application number HF 20-019 when applying.

Application deadline: 19.06.20

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 19th June 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 187490