About the position

The Department of International Business has a vacancy for a PhD candidate in sustainability analytics for seafood products from aquaculture and fisheries. The position is part of the Sustainability Analytics research arena at NTNU in Ålesund and is associated with NTNU Oceans. We are looking for candidates with a background or experience within at least one of the following areas: machine learning, data mining, applied mathematics and sustainability impact assessment.

Monitoring and evaluating sustainability impacts from aquaculture and fisheries is important in managing seafood product systems. Impact assessment tools are necessary to support regulation and technology development to reduce sustainability impacts and adverse effects from seafood production and consumption. To critically appraise potential impacts from aquaculture and fishery activities and identify mitigation measures it is useful to explore potential data-driven models that utilize ubiquitous data, artificial intelligence and sustainability impact assessment tools.

The goal of the project is to develop new models and methods for predicting sustainability impacts that may be utilized in management of seafood product systems. The work will be linked to ongoing research projects within fisheries and aquaculture at the Sustainability Analytics research arena at NTNU in Ålesund.

The position’s supervisor is Associate Professor Dina Margrethe Aspen at Department of International Business. The co-supervisors are Professor Ricardo Da Silva Torres at Department of ICT and Natural Sciences, Associate Professor Lars Christian Gansel at Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Houxiang Zhang at Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering.

About the Sustainability Analytics Research arena

The Sustainability Analytics research arena aims to offer data-driven decision support for sustainable development by integrating data analysis, sustainability analysis and decision analysis. The arena works to provide an integrated decision support chain to facilitate a seamless process from data acquisition to decision making.

Duties of the position

To advance the work in the Sustainability Analytics research arena, we wish to explore how analytical approaches from data science and sustainability science may be combined to offer decision support in fisheries and aquaculture. 

The PhD candidate is expected to contribute to the design, development and validation of data-driven decision support systems for maritime transportation. The main purpose of the PhD project is to combine machine learning tools and analytical techniques for predicting environmental impacts of marine transportation system activities. Research activities may encompass

• Development of data sets covering seafood product system characteristics and sustainability interactions
• Development of prediction models based on machine learning, sustainability impact assessment and other analytical methods and techniques
• Application, testing and validation of models using real life case studies
• Contribution to integrate models in decision support systems for fisheries and aquaculture
• Interpretation of results and providing suggestions for improvement
• Dissemination of results in acknowledged journals and conference proceedings
• Participation in activities organized through NTNU Oceans 

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 position requires excellent English oral and writing skills. 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

Knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian language will contribute positively to the evaluation of the applicant.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. This also applies to applications from candidates originating from countries covered by ITAR or “Electronic Code of Federal Regulations”.

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

Desirable qualifications:

• Good programming skills
• Good theoretical and analytical skills
• Good communications skills

Extra requirements:

• Have knowledge in artificial intelligence, especially the experience related to data-driven modeling

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic and ambitious
• Self-motivated, focused and goal-oriented
• Ability to solve complex technical tasks independently
• Ability to collaborate both within the discipline and across other discipline

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  remunerated at gross  NOK 479 600 per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years without required teaching duties.

The position is connected to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the faculty will be your employer. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Economics and Management. 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 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 must include:

• Application letter concerning your motivation for completing a PhD
• A short project proposal describing thematically problems, theories, methods and means linked to one of the topics/areas that the positions target.
• A CV with information on education, previous research experience, together with authorized documentation of certificates and study records.
• Academic work (not master thesis). 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.

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Dina Margrethe Aspen (dina.aspen@ntnu.no / +47 70 16 14 06) or Professor Ricardo Da Silva Torres (ricardo.torres@ntnu.no/ +47 922 19 307).

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

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 Ålesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. Ålesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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.

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).

Application deadline: 22.09.2020

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 International Business

We are part of the Ålesund Campus. The Department’s core expertise, in which marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship play a key role, is closely linked to the region’s needs. We also conduct research and teaching in economics, business administration, marketing, commercial and management subjects.  Together with local business and industry, we have created a research laboratory to enable research and development in service innovation, entrepreneurship, finance and technology. The Department of International Business is one of four departments in the Faculty of Economics and Management. 

Deadline 22nd September 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Ålesund
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 190971