PostDoc Position, Circular Economy and Climate Change Mitigation

About the position 

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.  

The Industrial Ecology Program (IndEcol), Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has an opening for a PhD position on Circular Economy and Climate Change Mitigation. The position will be working on the Horizon Europe project CircEUlar, a Horizon Europe Project led by IIASA in collaboration with leading European institutions.

The circular economy has been recognized at the EU and global levels as an important mechanism to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Both the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UN International Resource Panel (IRP) has pointed to potential synergies between reducing material footprints and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, a better and more detailed understanding of these synergies (and potential trade-offs) are desired across the economy.

To enable such analysis, the project will be linking of different modelling frameworks such as Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Multi Regional Input-output models (MRIO) with sectoral models of Transport, Building etc.

The selected candidate will play a key role in executing NTNUs tasks in the project under the leadership of Professors Strømman and Wood, and in collaboration with the broader consortium. This includes in particular adapting, interfacing, and applying scenario-based MRIO modeling with a combined focus on both climate change mitigation and circular economy. The duration of the position is 3-4 yrs.

Duties of the position

• Data collection and data organization for joint modelling of climate change mitigation and circular economy using MRIO scenario models.
• Modelling assumptions, rationale and documentation.
• Advance and Apply 10 scenario models for studies of climate change mitigation and circular economy. 
• Write scientific papers. 
• Contribute to dialogue with partners, coordination and execution of NTNUs contribution to the CircEular project. 

Required selection criteria

The main qualification requirement is that you have completed a PhD degree in Industrial Ecology, Energy or Economic modeling, or Computer Science, or equivalent. Further requirements include:

• Experience with Environmentally Extended and or Multiregional Input-Output Analysis is highly desired.
• Good programming skills in one or several languages (e.g. Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++)
• Competence in mathematical modelling and languages for , simulation or optimization of economic, energy or transport systems is strongly desired (e.g GAMS, XPress, Matlab, Python).
• Competence on data processing and parsing, as well as data management experience is desired.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.
• Strong, well-matured and well-articulated motivation for working on the topic at hand is required. The candidates must therefore in their application provide a 1-2 page letter where they describe: i) their motivation for doing a PhD in this domain and ii) how they see their competence and capabilities as relevant for the position

The candidates are expected to be familiar with key relevant publications from the supervisors. Also, the candidates selected for interview will be asked to demonstrate good ability to absorb and present material from the research frontier on the matters at hand

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

It is considered a strength if the candidate also speaks a Scandinavian language and or Ukrainian. Competence in application of industrial ecology methods (life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, input-output modeling), Integrated Assessment Modelling, or subject knowledge regarding electronics, buildings, construction, or transport systems.

Personal characteristics

• The successful candidate will be working in a group with other professors and PhDs from different disciplines. The candidate is expected embrace this setting and be a true team player
• Self-driven with a strong ability to work independently when required
• Motivated to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, with an interest in cross-disciplinary learning
• Soft skills
• In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and person

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 563 500 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is 3-4 years, with plans for a research stay abroad. 

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 you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application 

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

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out 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:

• CV and certificates
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to XX items)
• Research plan
• Name and contact information of 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. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

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. 

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. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. 

General information 

Working at NTNU 

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.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality . 

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 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 Anders Hammer Strømman, telephone: +47 918 97 993, email: [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Mathilde Smith-Nilsen, e-mail: [email protected] . 

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: 12.09.22

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 12th September 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gløshaugen