Associate Professor in Urban Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Digitalization

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus on professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the job

The Department of Architecture and Planning is looking for an Associate Professor in Urban Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Digitalization. The position is part of a strategic initiative to strengthen the department`s capability towards the use of geographic information systems, technology and digitalization in the context of urban planning and analysis, preferably with a portfolio in quantitative research and analysis. The position will be anchored in the IAP urban planning program to strengthen technology- and digitalization-oriented developments in the field of urban planning. A key focus for the position will be the interface between urban research and technology-based methods, founded on an insight that technological changes and digitalization are becoming increasingly important in urban planning and development practice as well as research. 

The Department conducts educational and research activities across the fields of architecture, urban design, urban planning, real estate and facilities management. It is also home to the Smart Sustainable Cities interdisciplinary knowledge cluster, which currently hosts and coordinates seven EU Horizon innovation projects. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative workplace and will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects as well as develop their own research. This position has the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration within the department, across NTNU and externally. 

The department is now entering into an important phase with the creation of a new department strategy and the creation of a new study program in urban planning through a merger of our two existing planning groups in spatial planning and urban ecological planning. The position will have a defining role both in the new program and the creation of our new department strategy in close collaboration with colleagues and leadership.  

Your immediate leader is Head of Department. 

Duties of the position

• Managing courses and development of didactical approaches for teaching that will ensure further advancement within the field and strengthen master programs of the department 
• Developing and organizing courses in GIS applied in planning. 
• Tutoring and lecturing at all levels of the master's program in planning, and at other programs offered by the department when required. 
• Research linked spatial planning on urban and regional levels and application of geographical information technology and other digital tools in the context of urban planning and development and digitalization. 
• Engaging in research activities together with colleagues at the institute and developing research proposals for grant applications. 
• Supervision of PhD candidates within GIS and technology oriented urban research. 

The position provides good opportunities for professional experimentation, in-depth studies and reflection in an academic environment characterized by the underlying values of trust, collaboration, responsibility, and high scientific standards. 

Required qualifications 

You must have the following qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor, stated in Regulations pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act and NTNUs guidelines for academic positions: 

• A doctoral degree within the field of urban planning or a comparable relevant field either by scientific or artistic work of the same scope and quality. 
• Educational competence*
• Norwegian language skills at level B2**
• Documented experience from either practice, research or teaching with geographic information systems (GIS) in the context of urban planning 
• Interest and experience in working with urban planning challenges such as accessibility and mobility, land use and special distributions, and other fields where digitalization is an enabler 
• Proficient in English 

* You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the NTNUs guidelines for academic positions. 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 B2of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU. 

Preferred qualifications

• Experience and interests in applying and developing quantitative analyses in research or practice, as well as technology applications in the context of urban planning 
• Masters`s degree in urban planning, geography, civil engineering or architecture 
• Innovative capabilities in use of GIS, and other advanced technological applications in the context of analysis or method`s development 
• Practice in the application of GIS and technology aimed at spatial planning, urban development and urban research from public or private sector 
• Interdisciplinary research and publishing in national and international arenas 
• Documented experience in dealing with urban planning challenges in a Scandinavian or North European context 

Personal qualities

• Outstanding skills in organization, collaboration, guidance and communication  
• Ability to familiarize themselves with other disciplines and sectors, to create goals and work plans with them, and collaborate with them to achieve the goals  
• Ability to understand and perform in complex working conditions 
• Good overview of the field and ability to conduct reflected, analytical and critical subject matter discussions with students and colleagues  
• A flexible and constructive approach.  

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.

Video: https://youtu.be/bwfNPj8HxHw

Salary and conditions

As an Associate Professor code 1011 you are normally paid from gross 725.000 -1.000.000 NOK 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 withthe 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.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English. 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the applicationassessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline.Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no.If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

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)
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 5 items) 
• A description of the scientific/artistic works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment 
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they were published 
• A research plan 
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope 
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees 

 

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

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, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and the obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions to science and society. 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

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.

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 maintainand improve your professional development and be flexible regardingany 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 expert evaluationsof their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Professor Thomas S. Nielsen, e-mail thomas.s.nielsen@ntnu.no and Head of Department, Stuart M. S. Dickson, e-mail stuart.m.s.dickson@ntnu.no 

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Astrid Steine Lyngby, e-mail astrid.s.lyngby@ntnu.no 

Application deadline: 25.11.25