About the position

The Research Centre on Zero Energy Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN Centre) is a Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the consortium partners. The main objective of the ZEN Centre is to develop knowledge, competitive products and solutions that will lead to realization of sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods that have zero emissions of greenhouse gases related to their production, operation and transformation. The ZEN Centre (http://www.fmezen.no) is a follow-up of the Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings (http://www.zeb.no).

We are looking for a PhD candidate related to ZEN Work Package 6: Pilot projects and Living Labs on the topic: ‘Solar Neighbourhood Planning of Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities’.

Globally, goals and specific targets are set up to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and secure future supply of energy. A combination of making buildings more energy-efficient (refurbishing and new developments) and using a larger fraction of renewable energy is a key issue to reduce the non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Further integration of solar energy technologies and designs in the built environment is viewed a promising measure to help reach these goals.

However, a large portion of the potential for energy efficiency in existing buildings and the potential to utilize solar energy still remains unused. The urban fabric may be designed to utilize passive solar gains and daylight to reduce the energy use in buildings, as well as to improve the inhabitants’ comfort indoors and in urban outdoor areas. Also, active solar energy systems integrated in the urban context will enable supply of renewable energy as heat and electricity and help cities reach their low carbon goals.

The position as a PhD candidate will be administratively located at the ZEN Centre, Department of Architecture and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design. Further information about the Faculty is available athttps://www.ntnu.edu/ad. Information about the ZEN Centre at NTNU is available at http://www.fmezen.no. Information about NTNUs Thematic Strategic Areas is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/research/strategicareas.

The position reports to ZEN Centre Director.

Duties of the position

The PhD project aims to explore innovative solutions for Zero Emission Neighbourhoods, taking into account the interaction of several issues such as energy generation and use, power needs and flexibility, daylight, ventilation, materials, building form, architectural qualities, and local climate.

The research will be connected to related work within the Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (http://www.fmezen.com), in particular to the work packages ‘Analytical methods for design and planning of ZEN’ and ‘Pilot projects and Living Labs’. The candidate will also participate in an upcoming international project within the International Energy Agency, entitled: Solar Neighbourhood in Urban Planning (http://task51.iea-shc.org).

The research should pursue one or more of the following tasks:

• Identify and develop planning strategies, concepts, and tools for increased solar energy utilization in neighbourhood areas, with a long-term perspective. This includes passive solar and daylighting, active solar thermal systems, and photovoltaic, for integration in buildings and the outdoor environment.
• Using, testing, and evaluation of tools for planning of new neighbourhoods and for integration of solar energy systems into new and existing environments.
• Through collaboration in planning and development of neighbourhoods, develop, test, and use methods and tools for involving local actors and stakeholders.
• Consider environmental life cycle impacts, with a focus on greenhouse gas emissions.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. 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.

Experience with research and practice-based work in building design or planning with a focus on energy and environmental issues, will be highly valued. English language fluency (spoken and written) is required. Good communication skills in Norwegian language is also an advantage, since the research will include communication with stakeholders in the Norwegian ZEN Pilot projects.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement. NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

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.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Architecture (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phaar). 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.

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

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, certificates, and a 2-3 page description of ‘Ideas for research approach’ including preferred focus areas and methods suggested by the applicant. 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/.

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 Professor Tommy Kleiven (https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/tommy.kleiven) or
ZEN Centre Director Arild Gustavsen (https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/arild.gustavsen). If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR advisor Natalia Swahn, e-mail: natalia.swahn@ntnu.no.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates, and a 2-3 page description of ‘Ideas for research approach’ including preferred focus areas and methods suggested by the applicant. 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 2019/35656 when applying.

Application deadline: 07.06.2020

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 Architecture and Technology

Our goal is to develop coherent and sustainable architecture of high quality. We work with form, theory and history, building materials and building structures, and energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. Our activities also include the preservation and development of traditional building craft skills. The Department of Architecture and Technology is one of four departments in the Faculty of Architecture and Design.

Deadline 7th June 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 187593