Associate Professor of Physical Geography, Natural Hazards

About the position

The Department of Geography at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology invites applications for a full-time associate professor in Physical Geography, with particular focus on natural hazards relevant to Norway’s climate and environment - for example, landslides or flooding. Current research within physical geography at the Department includes glaciology, geophysical modelling, geomorphology (coastal and glacial), and Arctic coasts (sea-level change, coastal dynamics, pollution).

The Associate Professor will teach and develop courses in physical geography, supervise students, and contribute to building a strong research portfolio at the Department. Enthusiasm for field- and/or lab-based research and teaching is considered an asset, as is a demonstrated interest in collaborating with social scientists on, for example, the impacts of climate change on society, climate adaptation, loss of biodiversity etc.

Although we are looking for candidates with strong competence in natural hazards relevant to the Norwegian context, we are also interested in a candidate that will be interested in participation in the Department’s international projects. 

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Contribute to high-quality teaching and supervision of students at all levels within physical geography, occasionally outside your immediate area of expertise
• Research within fields relevant for the position, including applying for funding and dissemination of findings to the academic and public spheres.
• Cooperate across disciplines and cultures both at NTNU as well as nationally and internationally
• Participate in the Department’s strategic work 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 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of physical geography, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your PhD, or comparable academic work, must be within the field of physical geography or environmental geosciences
  • If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position.  
• You must be able to show progression in research within the position’s thematic focus
• Teaching experience from the University sector
• Strong written and oral English

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

• Research experience investigating one or more of the main natural hazards in Norway
• Prior experience as primary instructor of courses at university level
• Proficiency in the use of state-of-the-art equipment and programs for fieldwork, mapping, and modelling OR experience conducting laboratory-based research in the environmental geosciences
• Communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage

Personal qualities

• Independent, enthusiastic, and creative
• Passion for teaching and sharing knowledge and results
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across disciplines, cultures, and sectors
• Committed to contributing to a positive and inclusive work 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 a Associate Professor / Professor (code 1011) you are normally paid from gross NOK 615 000 – 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. 

To contribute to a good work environment, 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, Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

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. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
• 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 research, teaching experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Our assessment of pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, teaching experience, PhD, and Master’s student supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both the quality and scope of your research and teaching 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 Head of Department Gard H. Hansen, tel. +47 909 65459, e-mail gard.hansen@ntnu.no.

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant 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: 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