Postdoctoral fellow (2 years) in environmental psychology in the highly interdisciplinary research...

The Department of Psychology has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral fellow (2 years) in environmental psychology in the highly interdisciplinary research project CIRCOMOD.

The position is part of a four years interdisciplinary research project funded by the Horizon Europe program of the European Commission. NTNU is a partner in this project and Prof. Dr. Christian A. Klöckner represents the Department of Psychology in this project. Below you can find a short description of the project:

Material consumption forms the foundation of human development and flourishing. With increasing populations and expanding wealth, global material consumption has seen a precipitous increase. This flow of materials includes chemicals, food, fuel, and so-called structural materials used in products (such as buildings, infrastructure, and appliances). The so-called ‘linear model’ from extraction via manufacturing and use to disposal has led to resource depletion and waste generation. Moreover, the massive use and production of materials are also associated with the extensive use of energy. In this context, the ‘circular economy’ has been presented as an alternative to the current linear model. It aims to reduce primary material consumption by 1) reducing the amount of material input, 2) keeping products and material longer in use, and 3) recovering or recycling materials and reducing losses.

The CIRCOMOD project aims develop a new generation of advanced models and model-based scenarios that can analyse the impact of future material use along with the contribution of various circular economy strategies and policies on GHG emission mitigation. Such an ambitious project requires insights across many different research domains. For example, insights into material production and use chains (stocks and flows), how technologies and societies may develop (including both the supply and demand of materials), possible CE measures, relationships with macro-economic development, and GHG mitigation.

To accomplish this, the CIRCOMOD project brings together a unique consortium of leading research teams from relevant science communities, including industrial ecology and material flow modelling, macro-economic modelling, and more process-oriented integrated assessment models. CIRCOMOD aims to: 1) represent circular economy measures for all relevant services, industrial sectors and materials, 2) link different leading models in a comprehensive analysis framework, 3) establish a research hub to systematically share data and research insights, and 4) represent the impact of circular economy strategies in climate scenarios used by policymakers and the IPCC.

The role of the Department of Psychology will be to give input to the demand-side modelling: Together with other project partners, we will assess the potential for stock-flow related behavioural change of citizens (demand reduction, life span extension, replacing of products) for key behaviours in different world regions. The potential of circular economy strategies relies not only on technical feasibility but also on consumer behaviours. This requires knowledge on the plasticity of consumer behaviour under different cultural and geographical conditions, which is only partly available and biased to western countries and certain behaviours. We will summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge from behavioural science (psychology, behavioural economy, sociology) on behavioural plasticities, drivers and barriers for the most important options studied in CIRCOMOD. We will also identify knowledge gaps of specific behaviours or regions. Subsequently, we will provide novel assessment by empirical work, including surveys and online experiments of behavioural plasticities, drivers, and barriers for regions and behaviours.

You will report to Head of Department.

• Coordination with the other international partners of CIRCOMOD
• Conducting a thorough literature study on plasticity of consumer behaviours related to circular economy practices
• Design, implementation, and analysis of a quantitative survey to measure plasticities for selected behaviours and countries
• Contribution to the design and analysis of behavioural experiments to assess plasticities
• Writing scientific publications about the research results
• Representation of the project on international conferences
• Representation of the project towards the stakeholders
• Support in project administration

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in psychology or related behavioural science. A corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required if you apply without a Norwegian degree. In order to be considered for the position, the applicant must have submitted their PhD thesis by the application deadline. They must have obtained a public defense by the time the postdoc position is admitted.

• Good knowledge and experience in behavioral science, preferably within some of the following areas: environmental psychology, social psychology, or cognitive psychology
• Experience with complex quantitative analysis methods
• Experience in survey work and analysis
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience with scientific publishing

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant   

• Experience in interdisciplinary work will be regarded as an advantage
• Personal suitability to enter cross-disciplinary research teams. Suitable candidates should have the ability to cooperate, have good communication skills, be flexible and solution-oriented
• Knowledge of central concepts or models in collaborating disciplines like behavioural economy or sociology will be an advantage

• Good skills to connect to people in the field
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary research teams
• Ability to overcome obstacles in field research and collaboration with local stakeholders

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

The employment period is 2 years. Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352 and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 553 500 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 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.

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

The position is subject to external funding

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, certificates and diplomas
• A motivation letter of maximum 2 pages together with your application, arguing for why your background matches the position and why you are motivated to work on the project
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to five items). Publications and other scientific work must follow the application
• Research plan
• Name and address of three references

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. 

Working at NTNU 

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.  

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. 

Under the freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Christian Klöckner, E-mail: [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Terese Brå, e-mail: [email protected]

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. 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) .  

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number SU-749 when applying.  

Application deadline: 30.06.2022 

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

Department of Psychology

Our research and teaching are based on five perspectives: biological, cognitive, social, personality and developmental psychology. We offer a clinical programme in psychology as well as study programmes in the psychology of learning and in work and organizational psychology. We have also three outpatient clinics in which we treat patients as part of the clinical programme. The Department of Psychology  is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences .