About the position

At NTNU, dept. of interdisciplinary studies of culture, we have a 3-year vacancy in science and technology studies (STS) focusing on just and inclusive wind power development on and offshore. The PhD will be part of the centre for technology and society and the research group on energy and environment.

This PhD project is part of the newly established FME NorthWind (Norwegian Research Centre on Wind Energy) that has as aim to bring forward outstanding research and innovation to create jobs and grow exports, and to facilitate the sustainable development of wind power. The Centre is led by SINTEF, with research partners NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), UiO (University of Oslo), NINA (The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research), and NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute). The Centre involves more than 40 national and international industrial partners that, together with the research partners, comprise a world leading consortium for the development of a sustainable wind energy future.  

The candidate will symmetrically study and explore two actor-networks surrounding contemporary wind power development in Norway. On the one hand, the PhD project will work to understand the development, organization and rationales of the multifaceted groups and alliances of actors that actively oppose further wind power developments. On the other hand, the project will focus on similar aspects for the diverse group of actors who promote further wind power development, including those that are active in FME NorthWind. These groups can both be interpreted as institutional entrepreneurs who seek to build broad storylines about the development of contemporary and future Norway, where wind power ends up playing radically different roles. A key aspect of the project is to understand how both actor-networks mobilize the notion of just transition, and to explore what this means for the actor-networks in distributional, procedural and recognition-based terms. Examples of potential issues and research questions includes, but are not limited to:

• Who are recognized as legitimate participants in innovation, planning, and implementation, and on which terms are they understood to be so?
• What are the key competing storylines about burdens and benefits around wind power and which roles do these narratives play in current transition processes?
• Which are the key positions where  interpretations of trade-offs between sustainability goals diverge, including between different researchers?

A sub-goal of the project is to participate in on-going activities that seeks to develop tools for inclusive participation in transitions.

The PhD will work closely with other PhDs/PostDocs and researchers in Team Society, as well as within related initiatives such as FME NTRANS (www.ntrans.no).

Duties of the position​

The successful applicant must

• Conduct empirical data collection through qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, participatory observation, potentially in combination with quantitative methods.
• Be able to analyse such data through theories and concepts from science and technology studies or related frameworks such as theories of sustainability transitions or energy justice.
• Have a strong interest and in and capability for theory development
• Complete the obligatory coursework in the ph.d.-program for interdisciplinary studies of culture
• Produce a PhD thesis, preferably based on peer reviewed articles published in key international journals
• Present and disseminate work at relevant national and international venues
• Be an active participant in the day-to-day activities at KULT, Team Society, the centre for technology and society and in relevant research groups at the department.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a MA or equivalent in Science and technology studies (STS), or another other relevant social scientific or humanities background with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Examples of other relevant disciplines are sociology, anthropology, political science or human geography.
• Candidates must have an appetite for the combination of rigorous empirical work and strong theoretical interests. 
• We will emphasize completion of the MA on time, and with good results.
• Applicants should have knowledge of or interest in social scientific studies of energy, transitions or related fields.
• The applicant should have an interest in, and experience with qualitative research methods
• We emphasize the documented ability to collaborate with others e.g. through co-authoring research papers, as well as individual ability to conduct independent research.  
• Fluency in a Scandinavian language will be considered an advantage
• Excellent English skil
• English skills (written and oral) is a needed

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

The employee must complete the PhD in interdisciplinary studies of culture within three years. The appointment period is divided with ½ year for compulsory course work and 2 ½ year for completion of the PhD project.

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 491 200 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 admission to the PhD programme in interdisciplinary studies of culture (https://www.ntnu.no/kult/forskerutdanning). 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 appointed candidate is required to have dept. of interdisciplinary studies of culture as a daily working place.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant   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

The application should contain:

• CV
• A letter of motivation (max three pages), describing your scholarly profile and preliminary ideas related to the further development of the PhD project.
• References
• A list of publications (if any)
• Transcripts documenting relevant qualifications

The application with attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge. For relevant applicants we will gather references and conduct interviews.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

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.

In accordance with The Public 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.

More information can be obtained by contacting Tomas Moe Skjølsvold (tomas.skjolsvold@ntnu.no)  or Marianne Ryghaug (marianne.ryghaug@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.

Application deadline: October 8th, 2021

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 8th October 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporar
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll