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PhD Position, Impact of Vendor Ecosystems on Quality of Critical Software System

About the position

Critical software systems are often rather complex and characterized by many different vendors, technologies, regulations, architectural dependencies, etc. All these concerns may have a great impact on the overall system quality, and thus be associated with significant risks. Therefore, the role of the vendors, particularly when many of them are involved, will be of particular interest of this study.

This research will address questions such as:

  • How can an enterprise assess whether a composition of multiple vendors and the respective services they provide, will fit into its strategic and architectural goals?
  • What factors in terms of vendor selection are most influential on quality/risk?
  • How can this be modelled and planned in a comprehensible way that facilitates a better decision support? 

The candidate will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

  • Conduct research on the impact of vendor ecosystems on system quality at architectural level.
  • Independently set up research plans and conduct them accordingly.
  • Comply with the PhD training program of the Faculty.
  • Publish in international conferences and journals in the relevant fields
  • Participate in professional communities within areas relevant to the position.

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 one or more of: software engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical and electronics engineering 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 candidate must have background in software engineering or other research areas relevant with the theme or practical work experience in related areas of software development.

Applicants 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

In extraordinary circumstances, formal documentation of language skills can be relinquished. In such cases the candidate’s language skills will be assessed in a personal interview.

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.

Preferred selection criteria

  • Background in empirical software engineering, process improvement, architectural modelling, and risk management.
  • A candidate with industrial experience in aforementioned areas will get preference.
  • Publication activities in the aforementioned disciplines will be considered an advantage

Personal characteristics

  • High motivation for research and willingness to learn
  • Self-motivated, focused and goal-oriented
  • Ability to work independently, perseverance and commitment
  • Team player, collaborative and value the inputs of others

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

We offer

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 Computer Science  (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phcos) 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 on a daily basis.

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. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your 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. Include the following in the application:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV) with information about the candidate’s prior training, exams, work experience and other supporting documents (as proof of the candidates’ study and language abilities)
  • Relevant transcript of grades, diplomas, and certificates, including bachelor and master’s degree. An English translation of all education documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, or English.
  • Research statement (max. 4 pages) including:                                                             
    1. A short presentation of the motivation for a Ph.D. study
    2. How the applicant sees his/her background suitable to the research associated with the position
    3. The applicant’s view of research challenges within vendor assessment in the context of software quality. 
    4. A proposed research plan including appropriate research methods and/or theories that could be relevant to examine the  influence of the selection of vendors that  provide software services.
  • Names and contact information of at least 2 reference persons
  • Attachments of any other relevant documents (e.g., scientific publications, awards)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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. 

The city of Gjøvik has a population of 30 000 and is a town known for its rich music and cultural life. The beautiful nature surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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

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 Deepti Mishra, telephone +47 46948657, email deepti.mishra@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Stine Terese Ruen Nymoen, e-mail: stine.t.r.nymoen@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 2020/12924 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.07.2020

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 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 10th July 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Gjøvik
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gjøvik

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