About the position

We apply for a PhD candidate on the topic climate change from a public health perspective.

The PhD-position is a temporary position for a period of three years.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The position is connected to the research of CHAIN (Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research), but the post doc will also collaborate closely with UNICEF and the Institute for Health Metrix and Evaluation (IHME), based at the University of Washington, US.

CHAIN’s main objectives are to

• monitor variations in health inequalities both between and within countries.
• identify the causal drivers of health inequalities throughout the life course.
• evaluate interventions that could reduce health inequalities.
• reduce the gap between research, policy and practice.
• develop the next generation of health inequality researchers.

CHAIN identifies and analyses the most important determinants of health inequalities in different contexts, and the policy responses that are most effective in reducing them. To do this, we

• monitor health inequalities: we collect and harmonise data on health inequalities and their determinants, covering all world regions.
• explain health inequalities: we assess the magnitude of health inequalities and identify the most important mechanisms responsible for socioeconomic inequalities in health.
• reduce health inequalities: through systematic reviews and evaluation studies, we identify policies, programmes, and interventions that are effective in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in health.
• bridge research, policy and practice by focusing on dissemination, knowledge transfer and translation of findings in the fields of health, environment, social and corporate policy. This work is led by EuroHealthNet and UNICEF Norway, and includes capacity building activities, policy exchanges at local, national and international levels and general communication activities. 

For more information about CHAIN

Your immediate leader is Head of the Department.

Duties of the position

The PhD position is an educational position that gives a promising research recruit the possibility for scientific development. The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions.

The PhD-position is a part of research on the emerging field of topic the sociology of climate change. Climate change brings with it various types of shocks, not just rising sea levels, but also extreme heat, wildfires, wet bulb temperatures etc, which have detrimental social, economic and health-related consequences for socially marginalized groups. By applying quantitative data, for example from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, UNICEF, or other international and national sources, the aim of the project would be to assess the consequences of climate change for health equity, to explain the mechanisms linking climate change by applying sociological theories and frameworks. It is expected that the candidate participates in international activities, among others through conference attendance and/or research stays at educational institutions abroad.

The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with one year, and it is expected that the candidate contributes to teaching in the special fields of the Department as part of this. 

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in social science, preferably in sociology or equivalent education.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• You must submit a high-quality PhD project sketch (1,500 words maximum).

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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  

Preferred selection criteria

• Interest and experience in quantitative methods will be considered advantageous.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English.
• Relevant experience in research, such as dissemination and/or participation in a research project, or work experience on the topic is advantageous.

Personal characteristics

Personal qualifications such as well organized, initiative, cooperative spirit, and motivation to contribute to an inclusive work milieu will be ascribed high importance.

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

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross 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. The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with one year.Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Social Sciences, specializing in sociology 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 partly 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 or Norwegian/Scandinavian.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• A proposal for how you suggest your PhD project could look like (1,500 words maximum). In the sketch you could show some familiarity with previous research, and you should suggest an outline for a sociological inquiry on the topic including research questions, theoretical perspectives, and methodological design for the PhD project. Originality is appreciated; and the project proposal will be further developed with help of the supervisor after employment.
• A short letter of motivation
• CV, recommendations, certificates and diplomas
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Publications and other relevant scientific work (max. 3 publications)
• Name and address of three referees

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.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

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.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Terje Andreas Eikemo. E-mail:  terje.eikemo@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Renate Lillian Johansen, e-mail: renate.johansen@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 10.08.2022

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 Sociology and Political Science

We conduct research, teaching and dissemination in sociology, political science, media, communication and information technology, and sport sciences. The Department offers five-year master’s programmes in teacher education (lektorutdanning) in social sciences as well as in physical education and sports. As a social science department we have a special obligation to contribute to the public debate on important social issues. The Department of Sociology and Political Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences.

Deadline 10th August 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Engagement 
Place of service Dragvoll