Associate Professor in Economic Geography

About the position

The Department of Geography at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology invites applications for a full-time associate professor in Economic Geography. The thematic focus for the position is regional development and innovation for a sustainable society.

The position is affiliated with the Department’s strategic area “Innovation and regional change.” Research topics and themes include: emerging digital and renewable technologies, sustainable manufacturing, global production networks, diversification in oil and gas dependent regions, the justice dimension of sustainability, alternative economies, and politics for innovation and transition.

We seek candidates who have made significant theoretical and empirical contributions in the field of economic geography, and can demonstrate how their research is relevant in a Norwegian context. Teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels includes on average three courses per academic year with a focus on human geography, innovation, and regional development. Experience with evidence-based teaching methodologies and best practices, beyond the traditional lecture format, will be viewed favorably. We will give preference to candidates whose interests complement and strengthen the current profile of the Department. 

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Teaching and supervision at BA, MA and PhD levels
• Research within fields relevant for the position, including applying for funding and dissemination of findings to the academic and public spheres
• Cooperation across disciplines and cultures both at NTNU as well as nationally and internationally
• Active engagement in research groups at the Department
• Participation in the Department’s strategic work, course assessments and other relevant administrative tasks

The position will over time have an equal work contribution in research and teaching when other duties are deducted from the calculation.

Required qualifications 

The following qualifications are required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of economic geography, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• PhD in the discipline of Geography. Candidates within comparable relevant fields of social sciences who have contributed actively to the discipline of Geography will also be considered.
• Teaching experience from the University sector
• Good written and oral English.

In the assessment, publications from the last five years (excluding parental and other care leaves) will be given special weight.

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian national Regulations. If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.  

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated research excellence within the field of economic geography broadly defined.
• Prior experience as primary instructor of courses at university level
• Strong methodological skills and experience with field-based research and teaching.
• Experience from working in or engaging with the public and/or private sector or civil society.
• International experience and network within the research areas outlined above.
• Communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

Personal qualities

• Independent, enthusiastic, and creative.
• Passionate about sharing knowledge and results.
• Possessing excellent communication and collaboration skills across disciplines and cultures
• Motivated to contribute to an inclusive and diverse collegial environment.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities. 

We offer 

• exciting and challenging 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 

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

Salary and conditions

As Associate Professor (code 1011) you are normally paid from gross NOK 615 000 – NOK 746 900 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU)
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they have been published
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to three items)
• A description of the scientific works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• A research plan
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

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. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

Inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact the Head of Department, Gard H. Hansen, tel. +47 90965459, e-mail: gard.hansen@ntnu.no.

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Renate Lillian Johansen, e-mail renate.johansen@ntnu.no

Applications should be submitted electronically via jobbnorge.no with all required attachments. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation. 

Application deadline: 31.01.2023

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 Geography

We conduct research and teach in subject areas related to the major societal challenges of our time: climate change, migration, urbanization, economic transition and environmental threats. We have a robust fieldwork tradition, and our teaching activities are closely linked to our research. The Department of Geography is one of seven departments at the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences.

Deadline 31st January 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service Dragvoll