PhD Candidate in sociology connected to the research group “Digitalization and social life”

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 42,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

The PhD-position is a temporary position for a period of three years. The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with up to one year of duty work.

The position is connected to the research group Digitalization and social life. Further information on : Digitalization and social life – Research – Department of Sociology and Political Science - NTNU

Your immediate leader will be Head of the Department

The PhD position is an educational position that gives a promising research recruit the possibility for scientific development.

• The PhD-position is a part of the project “Governance of and through digital health data in Norway.” The candidate is expected to conduct a sociological inquiry within this topic. Datafication is an important characteristic of the current socio-political-economic situation. With a focus on health data, the project shall analyze what this phenomenon means for society and democracy.
• It is required that the candidate participates in international activities, among others through conference attendance and/or research stays at educational institutions abroad.
• The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with up to one year, and it is expected that the candidate contributes to teaching in the special fields of the Department as part of this. 

• You must have a professionally relevant background in social science, preferably in sociology, or equivalent education, such as e.g., policy studies or STS.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. 
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• You must submit a high-quality PhD project sketch (1,500 words maximum).

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

• Interest and experience in qualitative methods will be considered advantageous.
• Documented interest in sociology of technology and/or sociology of health.
• Good oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language and English.
• Relevant experience in research, such as dissemination and/or participation in a research project, or work experience on the topic is advantageous.

Personal qualifications such as well organized, proactive, collaborative spirit, and motivation to contribute to an inclusive work milieu will be ascribed high importance.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on the quality and originality of the project outline, potential to contribute to the research group, education, motivation for the position, experience, personal suitability, and grades from the master`s degree.

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 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 years. The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with up to one year of duty work.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Social Sciences , specializing in sociology.  As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

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 that the appointed takes up residence so that you can be present daily and available for the institution as required.

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

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. 

The application must include: 

• A proposal for how you suggest your PhD project on digital health data in Norway could look like (1,500 words maximum). In the sketch you could show some familiarity with previous research, and you should suggest an outline for a sociological inquiry on the topic including research questions, theoretical perspectives, and methodological design for the PhD project. Originality is appreciated; and the project proposal will be further developed with help of the supervisor after employment.
• A short letter of motivation
• CV, recommendations, certificates and diplomas
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Publications and other relevant scientific work (max. 3 publications)
• Name and address 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, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher 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.

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,

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.

In accordance with The Public 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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Heidrun Åm, e-mail:  [email protected] If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-consultant Renate Lillian Johansen, 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) .

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number SU-751 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.08.2022

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 Sociology and Political Science

We conduct research, teaching and dissemination in sociology, political science, media, communication and information technology, and sport sciences. The Department offers five-year master’s programmes in teacher education (lektorutdanning) in social sciences as well as in physical education and sports. As a social science department we have a special obligation to contribute to the public debate on important social issues. The Department of Sociology and Political Science  is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences.