PhD Fellowship in an interdisciplinary project on Democratic Resilience

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

   

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About the position

Are you interested in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of normative democratic theory and political science? Then you might be the candidate we are looking for. As a PhD research fellow with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Preferred starting date: 04.01.2027

About the project

The PhD-project is part of an interdisciplinary research project on democratic resilience funded by NTNU Community: https://www.ntnu.edu/community. The project combines normative and empirical perspectives on welfare institutions and redistributive policies as means for strengthening democratic institutions and practices in the face of increasing polarization, decline in political trust and the rise of authoritarian populism. Our focus is on what some call the social model of democratic self-defense. We are interested in what normative commitments democratic government imply, how well strengthening democratic resilience by reducing social and economic inequality aligns with these commitments, and to what extent such an approach is reflected in the public rhetoric of Norwegian political elites.

The PhD research fellow is expected to address conceptual and normative challenges facing the social model of democratic self-defense and to explore what specific policies such a model might imply. In addition, the PhD research fellow will investigate to what extent elected elites in Norway use framing that aligns with the social model, in close cooperation with supervisors.

The precise direction and focus of the PhD project will be developed in the initial period of the fellowship in dialogue between the candidate and the supervisors.

Duties of the position

Complete the doctoral education until you obtain a doctorate. This includes:

• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the Research Group in Practical Philosophy (https://www.ntnu.edu/ifr/fpf) and Team Democratic Resilience (https://www.ntnu.edu/community/democratic-resilience).
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

To be qualified for the advertised position, you must

• be eligible for admission to the PhD programme in Historical and Cultural Studies. This means that you have an academically relevant master's degree in Political Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Political Science, or equivalent, that includes a major independent work corresponding to a master's thesis of at least 30 credits. Your course of study must be equivalent to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been achieved at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position
• have an average grade from the master's degree programme, or equivalent education, that is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale
• have very good oral and written presentation skills in English

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

In accordance with the Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment, former PhD research fellows at NTNU are not eligible for the positions regardless of field of study. Applications from candidates who already have an approved doctorate in related fields from other institutions, either nationally or internationally, will also not be considered if there are other qualified applicants.

Preferred selection criteria

• Expertise in political philosophy, in particular democratic theory
• Background in political science
• Competence in quantitative method
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Work both independently and constructively with others
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions 

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  
• Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD research fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD research fellow, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work.

The successful candidates will be granted conditional admission to the PhD programme in Historical and Cultural Studies when employed as a PhD research fellow at the Faculty of Humanities. It is a prerequisite that the requirements of the conditional admission are met within three months, and that you continue to participate in the organized doctoral programme for the remainder of the employment period.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies in Trondheim on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

We will only consider applications that have been submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no by the deadline and that have all mandatory attachments. Therefore, ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the qualification requirements. If you are invited to an interview, you might be requested to bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas. 

The application must contain: 

• Copies of diplomas, including transcripts for both bachelor's and master's degrees. If your institution offers a diploma supplement (most European institutions do), you must also attach this 
• Completed CV in Jobbnorge.no 
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 pages)
• Any publications and other relevant research work
• Any certificates
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

We also ask that everyone with a foreign education enclose a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir). Follow the link to their website for more information on how to obtain such a statement: Apply for recognition of your foreign higher education | HK-dir.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Kjartan Koch Mikalsen, email: kjartan.mikalsen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Adviser Elisabeth Leite, email: Elisabeth.leite@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 23.08.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

 The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.