About the job

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

The position of Research Fellow is a temporary position for a period of three years. The position is an educational position that will give promising researchers the opportunity for professional development. The research field for the position is within social science, focusing on the development of democratic citizenship and social science didactics within the Norwegian education system. 

The candidate will be affiliated with the Section for Social Sciences, at the Department of Teacher Education. The position will be linked to the research group DACED (Democracy and citizenship in education), and an ongoing project on Jewish memory culture, minority issues, migration and identity relations and Jewish life in Norway. 

Examples of possible PhD approaches within this framework can be: 

1. How and under what conditions the Jewish minorities' memory culture and identity formation are developed through artifacts and narratives, in places, exhibitions and landscapes (nationally and internationally). 
2. How and with what consequences can democratic citizenship be activated through narratives about migration and integration, war and conflict. 
3. In what way can equality and ethical awareness towards minority groups be established through critical thinking and in didactical approaches. 

The research fellow will take an active part in the work of the research group Democracy and Citizenship in Education (DACED) at the Department of Teacher Education. 

Your immediate leader is Head of Section for Social Sciences. 

Duties of the position

• The research fellow will participate in the PhD program in Educational Sciences, and conduct research in the fields of democracy education, citizenship and social science didactics. 
• The PhD candidate will be part of a research team where the tasks will primarily be work on their own PhD project. 
• Participate in international activities, e.g., through conference participation and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions. 

Required selection criteria

The main objective of the PhD position is to qualify candidates for work in research positions. 

• You must have completed a master's degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in social sciences and/or social studies didactics (geography, history, sociology and political science). 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from the master's degree program or equivalent education that 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. 
• Good competence in English (oral and writing). 

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate 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 

Preferred selection criteria

• Interest in democracy and citizenship education, use of alternative learning arenas. 
• Good competence in qualitative methodology. 
• Good competence in Norwegian/Scandinavian (oral and writing). 

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work in teams. 
• Ability to work independently. 
• Structured and analytical. 
• Motivation to contribute to a good working environment. 

When assessing the best qualified candidate, we place emphasis on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation for the position. 

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 532 200 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 without teaching duties. 

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in education science Specialization Teaching Profession and School Research 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. 

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis. 

About the application

Publications and other scientific works that you wish to be taken into account when assessing must accompany the application. Please note that applications will only be assessed on the basis of the information available at the end of the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. 

The application must include: 

• A project outline for a PhD project (max. 1500 words). In the outline, the applicant must propose current issues, theoretical perspectives and a methodological design for your research project. 
• A short letter of motivation. 
• If you have publications or other relevant research work, maximum three. 
• CV, certificates and diplomas. 
• Name and contact information of three relevant references. 
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. 

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 Trond Risto Nilssen, email trond.nilssen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Terese Brå, e-mail: terese.bra@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: 21.08.2023

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 Teacher Education

The Department of Teacher Education offers a full range of study programmes for primary and secondary education in Norway.

Our department supports several active research and development projects in learning, teaching, and school leadership and management, as well as artistic work. The Department of Teacher Education is part of the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at NTNU. We offer an open and inclusive work environment.  

Deadline 21st August 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim