Researcher in Modern Economic History

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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.

   

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About the Job

The position is for a period of two years and would start on 1 September 2026 (with some flexibility).

We offer an exciting 2-year position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as researcher. You will be part of the ERC project “InternalFortress: Regulating European Freedom of Movement within the Nation-State, 1950-1980,” which traces the history of migration as part of the early process of European integration. The thematic focus for this position is the tension between state and non-state actors in the migration field, especially in the 1970s. 

This is an independent research position embedded in a larger collaborative project. You will have the freedom to pursue your own research agenda while contributing actively to shared project activities, including a conference and a journal special issue. This position is fully focused on research and does not include teaching duties. You will report to the project leader, Madeleine Dungy. You are welcome to contact her at madeleine.dungy@ntnu.no if you have any questions about the project or would like to receive a more detailed description. More information can also be found on the project website.

Your immediate leader will be the head of department, Karl Erik Haug. 

Project description

Migrants’ uneven access to social welfare is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s European Union. InternalFortress investigates the historical roots of this issue in the early European Economic Community (EEC). The project examines how debates concerning migrants’ rights to social security, trade unions, skill development, and family reunification shaped the social impact of European integration inside the individual member states. 

The project is thus squarely focused on implementation, tracing how “free movement” was inserted into existing systems social protection. Within the EEC, mobility came with a raft of new social rights: access to pensions, to professional development, and family support, for example. Yet, crucially, these kinds of broad-based rights could only be realized with support from non-state actors on the ground: NGOs, trade unions, employers, and migrants’ mutual aid associations. These organizations fundamentally shaped the way that European migration policy played out in practice, but in doing so, they often pursued their own distinctive political and ideological programs that diverged in important ways from official priorities. Tensions intensified in the 1970s, as governments sought to restrict migration from outside the EEC while deepening transnational social rights within the bloc. These changes in migration policy intersected with the broader transformation of labour markets towards less concentrated and more flexible patterns of work, allowing local organizations to take on more authority. 

The relations between state and non-state actors in the migration sector will form the thematic core of this research position. You are encouraged to develop your own approach to this question in line with your research interests. European integration should be a key theme in your personal research agenda, although it need not be the exclusive focus. Alongside your individual research, the position will involve collaborating with the principal investigator to organize a conference and a journal special issue on the transformation of the European migration landscape in the 1970s, with a particular focus on the changing roles of governments, unions, employers, and migrant associations. 

Duties of the position

• Carry out primary archival research 
• Write least one article for a journal special issue and help with the coordination and editing of that publication 
• Actively participate in the project’s workshops, seminars and conferences as well as in organizing and hosting events taking place in Trondheim

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in modern history or have written a thesis with a strong historical focus in a related field
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Experience working with historical sources
• Experience engaging with historiographical debates at a sophisticated level
• Excellent written and oral English language skills (equivalent to level B2)

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with research collaboration
• Prior knowledge of the key scholarship and sources related to European economic and social history in the 1960s and 1970s

Personal characteristics

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Strong attention to detail
• Goal-oriented
• Team player
• Intellectual independence and creativity
• Committed to understanding migration policy from multiple different perspectives

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

The gross salary for the position of researcher (code 1109) is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 740.000 – 890.000 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to 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

The position is subject to external funding. 

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

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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. 

The application must include: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-, Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis. 
• Research plan 3-5 pages (Times New Roman, 12 font size, 1.5 line space)
• Up to three other academic works - published or unpublished
• Name and contact information of two 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 assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

NTNU believes that 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.  

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 Madeleine Dungy at madeleine.dungy@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Elisabeth Leite, e-mail: elisabeth.leite@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: February 28., 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.