PhD research fellow in STS and sustainability transitions

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About the position

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture (KULT) has two vacancies for PhD research fellows in Science and Technology Studies (STS), with a focus on knowledge, expertise, valuation and feasibility in sustainability transitions. This entails a focus on decarbonization and digitalization.

As a PhD research fellow at KULT, you will become part of an active and supportive interdisciplinary research environment working on among other things technology, science, sustainability, democracy and social change. The position will be affiliated with the Centre for Technology and Society and the research group Climate, Energy and the Environment (CLEEN), one of Europe’s leading social science research groups on energy, climate and sustainability transitions.

The research fellows will join a larger project team and a cohort of PhD research fellows and postdoctoral researchers across NTNU, the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and the University of Oslo. The position offers excellent opportunities for academic development, international publication, conference participation, research collaboration and engagement with societal actors working on the green and digital transitions.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

This PhD position is part of the Research Council of Norway TOPPFORSK project FEASIBILITY: The socio-political and techno-economic craft of enabling twin transitions. TOPPFORSK is among Norway’s most prestigious funding schemes for ground-breaking research, supporting projects with the potential to advance international research frontiers.

FEASIBILITY investigates how societies make large-scale transformations towards climate neutrality and digitalization appear feasible, legitimate and actionable. The project focuses on the intersection of decarbonization and digital transitions, often referred to as the twin transitions. Across Europe, governments, industries and public institutions increasingly rely on scenarios, models, indicators, roadmaps and assessments to guide decisions about energy systems, infrastructure, industry, digital technologies and climate policy.

The project starts from the observation that such tools do not simply describe possible futures. They actively participate in shaping what is considered realistic, desirable and achievable. FEASIBILITY therefore studies how knowledge, values and governance arrangements influence which transition pathways gain credibility and political traction, and which are marginalized or dismissed. 

Bringing together perspectives from Science and Technology Studies, sustainability transitions research, political science, geography and techno-economic analysis, FEASIBILITY includes comparative empirical studies across several European countries (Norway, Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom). The successful candidate will contribute to a growing international research frontier concerned with the role of expertise, knowledge production, valuation and future-making in societal transformations, primarily through qualitative methods.

The two positions available are: 

PhD Project 1: The epistemic politics of Twin Transitions

How do societies decide which futures are possible, desirable, and achievable?

This PhD project explores the role of knowledge, expertise, and future-oriented analysis in shaping societal responses to climate change and digitalization. Governments, industries, and public institutions increasingly rely on scenarios, models, forecasts, roadmaps, and other forms of anticipatory knowledge when making decisions about energy systems, infrastructure, industrial development, and technological change.

The successful candidate will investigate how such forms of knowledge influence political and societal decision-making, and how ideas about feasible futures are produced, negotiated, and contested. The project may engage with topics such as modelling, foresight, scenarios, expertise, policy advice, innovation, or governance in the context of the twin transitions.

 

PhD Project 2: Valuation and Decision-Making in Twin Transitions

How do societies decide what matters in processes of transformation?

This PhD project explores how values become embedded in governance, policy, and decision-making in the context of climate and digital transitions. As societies seek to balance concerns such as competitiveness, sustainability, biodiversity, justice, security, and economic development, different actors promote different ways of evaluating progress and success.

The successful candidate will investigate how values are translated into indicators, metrics, assessments, policy frameworks, and governance practices, and how these shape societal priorities and transition pathways. The project may engage with topics such as sustainability metrics, biodiversity, justice, industrial policy, energy transitions, or emerging approaches to evaluating societal change.

Duties of the position

As a PhD research fellow, you will complete doctoral education leading to a PhD degree. This includes:

• Conducting high-quality research within the framework of the FEASIBILITY project and the selected PhD topic
• Developing and carrying out an independent research project, including data collection, analysis, and academic writing.
• Publishing and disseminating research through international peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and relevant public and policy-oriented venues.
• Participating actively in the activities of the Climate, Energy and Environment (CLEEN) research group, the Centre for Technology and Society, and the FEASIBILITY project team.
• Contributing to collaborative research activities with project partners at NTNU, the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI), and the University of Oslo (UiO).
• Participating in international activities, including conferences, workshops, and research stays abroad.
• Completing the required coursework as part of the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Science and Technology Studies (STS), or from adjacent fields. Examples include Sustainability Transitions, Sociology, Political Science, Human Geography, Environmental Social Science, or Anthropology,. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits have been obtained at Master's level. The Master's degree must include an independent research project equivalent to a Master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. Master's students may apply, provided that the Master's degree is completed and documented before commencement of the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from your Master's degree, or equivalent education, equal to B or better according to NTNU's grading scale. Applicants without letter grades must document an equivalent academic foundation. Applicants with weaker grade backgrounds may be considered if they can demonstrate particular suitability for doctoral studies.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture at NTNU.
• You must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• You must demonstrate a strong interest in social scientific studies of societal transformation, sustainability transitions, climate and environmental governance, digitalization, innovation, public policy, or related fields.
• You must have experience with, or a strong interest in, qualitative social science research methods.
• You must be able to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team.

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

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and related fields such as sustainability transitions research, innovation studies, valuation studies, political sociology, or environmental governance.
• Experience with qualitative research methods such as interviews, document analysis, ethnographic approaches, participant observation, or case study research.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following topics: climate and energy transitions, digitalization, governance, expertise, modelling, futures, anticipation, valuation, innovation, or public policy.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary research environments or collaborating across disciplinary boundaries.
• Experience with academic writing, publication, conference presentations, or other scholarly dissemination activities.
• Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree successfully, we expect that you:

• Are intellectually curious and motivated to explore complex societal challenges through independent research.
• Are able to work independently, take initiative, and drive a long-term research project forward.
• Have strong analytical skills and enjoy engaging with theoretical and conceptual questions.
• Are able to collaborate constructively with colleagues from different disciplinary backgrounds and contribute positively to a shared research environment.
• Are open to feedback and willing to develop your ideas through discussion, reflection, and collaboration.

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability, motivation, and potential for research.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international 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.

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.

Employment as a PhD research fellow will give you conditional admission to the PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture. It is a prerequisite that the admission requirements are fulfilled within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

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 institution 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

The required attachments must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian, another 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.

The application must include: 

• CV.
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• A copy of the Master's thesis. Applicants who have recently submitted their Master's thesis may attach a draft version. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) describing:
  • your academic background and research interests
  • your motivation for pursuing a PhD
  • your interest in the FEASIBILITY project and the selected PhD topic
• A maximum 3-page reflection note on how you would approach the proposed research project.
• Relevant publications, academic manuscripts, or other scholarly work (if applicable).
• Names and contact information for three referees.
   

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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well. 

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

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 Professor Tomas Moe Skjølsvold (tomas.skjolsvold@ntnu.no +4793634270). If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Adviser Elisabeth Leite, e-mail: elisabeth.leite@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 20.08.2025

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.