Researcher in Human Geography: Societal Impacts of Climate & Cryospheric Change in Mountain Regions

This is NTNU

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

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

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

   

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

About the position

Are you interested in analyzing the societal impacts of climate change in mountain regions? Do you have a background in Human Geography or related disciplines? Would you like to bring your research experience and methodological (qualitative and/or quantitative) skills to an interdisciplinary team?

Join us to examine the impacts of shrinking glaciers and snow cover on society in the Himalayas and the Alps! You will be part of a team of researchers spanning human and physical geography and a range of natural science fields to analyze cryospheric changes and their impacts. Your work will be embedded in the EU HORIZON-funded CryoSCOPE project. At the Department of Geography and Social Anthropology, you will work with Pascal E. Egli, who leads NTNU’s contribution to the broader CryoSCOPE project, and Martin C. Lukas, who coordinates its human geography component, to which you will make a central contribution.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

The vacancy is for a one-year temporary full-time position, or a two-year temporary part-time position, with flexibility for arrangements in-between.
 

About the project

The broader CryoSCOPE project combines novel field measurements, satellite data, and numerical models to transform real-time observations of Cryosphere-Atmosphere-Hydrosphere interactions. Using a range of instruments, it gathers high-quality data on snow, ice, water, and atmospheric conditions to support and validate climate and Earth System Models (ESMs). Furthermore, the project investigates Cryosphere-Biosphere Interactions, partitioning of meltwater inputs into surface water, subsurface water, and plant-water uptake to understand the effects of climate change on water availability for the biosphere.

The NTNU portion of the project uses glacier evolution modelling and hydrological modelling combined with future climate scenarios to study glacier hazards and future seasonal hydrological droughts. The team at NTNU is the only one in CryoSCOPE that also takes human-geographic / social science approaches to analyze impacts of glacio-hydrological changes on communities. Our work in the frame of CryoSCOPE has synergies with our "Threatened Lifelines” project that integrates climate data and hydrological modelling with a larger human-geographic component to analyze climate change impacts on mountain communities in the semiarid Himalayan region of Ladakh and to foster sustainable, community-centered adaptation pathways.

Duties of the position

• Design and conduct high-quality research on the societal impacts of climate-related cryosphere-hydrosphere changes in the Himalayas and Alps, particularly in Northern India and Switzerland.
• Produce high-quality academic publications and engage in science-policy interfaces.
• Actively contribute to the project’s interdisciplinary collaboration across physical geography/natural sciences and human geography/social sciences.
• Participate in research group activities at the Department of Geography and Social Anthropology.
   

Required selection criteria

• You have a doctoral degree in Geography or another field deemed relevant for the position.
• You have experience with qualitative methods (such as qualitative interviews and focus groups) and/or quantitative social-scientific research methods (such as surveys).
• You have very good oral and written communication skills in English.
• You have experience conducting and disseminating high quality scientific research.
• You are able and enthusiastic to spend time conducting field research in the Indian Himalayas and the Alps.
   

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with inter- and/or transdisciplinary work.
• Prior research experience related to the topics outlined in the above position and project description.
• Intercultural competence.
• Knowledge of Hindi, Ladakhi, another Himalayan language, German, or French is an advantage.

Personal characteristics

We are searching for candidates who are:

• Enthusiastic and curious.
• Critical thinkers.
• Highly motivated for the project.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Able to work in challenging field research contexts.
   

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 researcher (code 1108 /1109) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400 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. 

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 application assessment. 

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:

•    A motivation letter (maximum of 650 words)
•    CV
•    Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral degrees
•    A complete publication list
•    Academic works (published or unpublished) that you wish to be considered in the assessment of your application (up to 3 items)
•    A description of the scientific or professional works you consider most relevant and particularly wish to be taken into account in the assessment
•    A concise project outline sketching the research approach you would take in the frame of this position (maximum of 800 words).
•    Details of projects in which you have taken leading roles, including information on financing, duration, and scope
•    Names and contact information of 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. Open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco 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 a committee at the department. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview.

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. 

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable) 

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.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please send an email to both Pascal E. Egli and Martin C. Lukas (pascal.e.egli@ntnu.no, martin.c.lukas@ntnu.no).

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

Application deadline: 23.01.2026

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.