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

   

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About the position

Do you have a master's degree in economics or a closely related field with excellent results and wish to immerse yourself in the subject through independent research? If yes, then you might be the person we are looking for! 

The Department of Economics is looking for a committed, curious, and ambitious person for a three- year position as a PhD candidate. The successful candidate will conduct research within the scope of the NOTRAP project, a research center that is engaged with interdisciplinary research on energy transition. The PhD candidate will be linked to the work package “Socio-political context and effects.”

We are looking for candidates who wish to conduct research at the intersection of behavioral and environmental economics. These are profile areas of the economics department, which means that the PhD candidate will have ample support and opportunities for collaborations. Special attention will be given to candidates' documented aptitude for quantitative methods. Experience from working with experimental methods, such as survey experiments, will be considered a significant advantage in the selection process.

The department currently hosts 700 students, including 7 PhD students. You will become part of an active and inclusive group of PhD candidates at the Faculty of Economics and Management. Through the project NOTRAP, you will also interact and engage with PhD candidates from other departments. You will be co-located at the Department of Economics and the interdisciplinary center NOTRAP.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department of Economics.

Duties of the position

You will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Economics and Management. The main goals are competence building and research training.

Your tasks as a PhD candidate will be to: 

• conduct high quality research 
• take part in an organized programme which includes high level training in relevant topics and research methodology
• present you own research at national and international scientific conferences 

The Department of Economics aims to conduct research at a high international level. Contact with universities and researchers abroad is an important part of this, and we encourage our PhD candidates to spend one or two semesters abroad during their degree. 

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• In order to be qualified for this position you must have:
  completed (or be in the process of completing) a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 ECTS) in economics (or a closely related field)
• a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation.
• solid methodological (econometric) skills 
• proficiency in English 

Master's students who are about to complete their master’s degree are encouraged to apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Personal characteristics

Completing a PhD is demanding. Therefore, you ought to be able to:

• work independently 
• set goals, make plans to reach these goals, and work hard to achieve them 
• creatively approach your subject matter 
• present and discuss your research and constructively engage with feedback from colleagues 

A good working environment is important to us. We strive for an atmosphere that is friendly, informal, and characterized by collaborative relationships between our employees. We are looking for a person who: 

• actively participates in department activities, such as lunch gatherings and weekly research seminars 
• constructively engages in academic discussions with colleagues 
• actively contributes to academic and social activities for the group of PhD candidates as well as the rest of the staff 

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

This position offers an exciting academic environment, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through your research. As a PhD candidate you will receive:

• Exiting and stimulating tasks in a strong and international professional environment.
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period.
• an open and inclusive work environment with committed colleagues 
• a supportive group of PhD candidates at the department and faculty level, as well as at the project NOTRAP
• opportunities to participate in international research conferences and build an international network
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Access to employee benefits and discounts.

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 Candidate, your gross salary will be NOK  536.200,-  per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary and NOK 400 for funds for organizational development initiatives. 

The employment period is 3 years. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Economics and Management 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 academic 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 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 

The application must include: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
• Research plan or project proposal containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (1-2 pages)
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (not your master's thesis). Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English or a Scandinavian language. 

Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.

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. 

Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

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.

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, in line with your qualifications and you are ready to take the next step in your academic journey, we encourage you to apply!

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Gustav Agneman, telephone +46 7 93 58 79 08, email Gustav.agneman@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Randi Holvik, email: randi.holvik@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 25.05.2025
 

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.