PhD Candidate, The Economics of Deep Sea Mining

Research collaboration in sustainability

In 2015, the 2030 agenda with the 17 sustainability goals was adopted by all UN member states. The sustainability goals see the environment, economy and social development in context. The time horizon for necessary changes is short, and it is challenging to combine different considerations without conflicts of objectives and unintended consequences of measures. 

NTNU is now announcing 43 individual PhD positions that will contribute to a greater understanding of system effects, societal changes and conflicts of interest related to the sustainability challenges. These positions are divided into 9 interdisciplinary projects  with mainly 4-7 PhD positions in each project. In this position, the candidate is expected to cooperate with the other PhD students in the project TripleDeep .

This is a 3-year PhD position with the possibility of an additional year with working duties at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management – Section Managerial Economics, Finance and Operation Research. The position is resident at NTNUs campus in Trondheim. It is an educational position, which will provide promising research talents the opportunity for professional development towards a PhD-degree. The position is connected to the PhD program at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the faculty will be your employer.

About the position

This is a 3-year PhD position with the possibility of an additional year with working duties at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management – Section Managerial Economics, Finance and Operation Research. The position is resident at NTNUs campus in Trondheim.

It is an educational position, which will provide promising research talents the opportunity for professional development towards a PhD-degree. The position is connected to the PhD program at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the faculty will be your employer.

Project description

The deep ocean floor contains vast deposits of minerals that are necessary in renewable energy technologies. These minerals are expected to be in high demand due to the de-carbonization of the global economy and the transition to a net-zero economy. But while the “blue minerals” may hold the key to a greener future, mining the deep seas raises many questions and dilemmas. Can the minerals be mined without causing massive and irreparable harm to the unique ecology of the deep oceans? Who will be allowed to exploit these minerals, and on what conditions? How can conflicts over rich deposits be avoided? What rules and incentives are needed to attract responsible investors that can pay for the development of the necessary technology? Is it worthwhile to destroy unique and largely unknown habitats in the deep seas in order to address the climate crisis?

The primary objective of the TripleDeep project is to investigate whether Deep Sea Mining can provide a new source of critically important minerals in a sustainable manner. To do so we must address significant knowledge gaps about the political, economic, technological and ecological dimensions of deep-sea mining, and particularly how they interact with each other. The TripleDeep project group consist of an inter-disciplinary team, bringing together historians, marine biologists, economists and engineers.

The PhD position in the economics of Deep Sea Mining will analyze how to enable necessary investments in radically new technology and infrastructure for Deep Sea Mining, given the high levels of regulatory uncertainty, and the substantial risk of stranded assets inherent in selection of new technology paths. We will study the role of government policies in supporting the development of new technologies needed for DSM to be socially and ecologically acceptable.

Duties of the position

The TripleDeep project aims to achieve integrated interdisciplinary cooperation of high quality and according to international standards. As a PhD Candidate you will be part of this research project consisting of 4 PhD Candidates and 4 regular academic staff. Each PhD Candidate will have a co-supervisor from another discipline within the project.

Therefore, the candidate is expected to

• Identify, categorize and quantify the major risk factors associated with investment in an emerging deep sea mining industry
• Model technology adoption and other investment decision problems under uncertainty
• Analyze the role of government policies in setting minimum thresholds and supporting the development of new technologies that are needed for DSM to be socially and ecologically acceptable
• Collaborate with the other PhD candidates within the TripleDeep Project
• Participate in regular project workshops
• Contribute to joint project publications

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background (MSc degree or equivalent) in mathematical economics or quantitative finance or equivalent education
• 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 PhD programme in the Faculty of Economics and Management, Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management (https://www.ntnu.no/iot ).
• Proven excellent written and oral English communication skills

In addition, the following qualifications will contribute positively to the evaluation of the applicant:

• High motivation for fundamental scientific research
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and keen interest in learning and working in teams
• Experience within the area of investment decision making under uncertainty /real options.
• Background or experience in more than one of the project disciplines (history, economics, engineering, biology (e.g. at the interface between economics and geology)

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  

Incomplete applications will not be considered. This also applies to applications from candidates originating from countries covered by ITAR or “Electronic Code of Federal Regulations ”

Personal characteristics

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated
• Creative, with a strong ability to work solution oriented
• Motivated to solve environmental problems and advance sustainability
• Ambitious and goal-oriented
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer

Information about Working and living in Norway can be found at the following link: http://www.nyinorge.no/en/Ny-i-Norge-velg-sprak/New-in-Norway/

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, at gross NOK 491 200,- per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with the possibility of an additional year with working duties. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Faculty of Economics and Management, Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management (https://www.ntnu.no/iot ).

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.

Primary residency in Trondheim is a prerequisite. The person appointed must live in a location enabling him/her to be present at and available to the institution.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

About the application

The application must include

• A CV with information on education, previous research experience, together with authorized documentation of certificates and study records.
• 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 a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• A motivation letter (1-2 pages), describing the relevance of your disciplinary background, your interest in the project, and your readiness to work in an inter-disciplinary project.
• Name and address of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

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 work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the contributions from individuals in a joint piece of work, applicants should enclose a short descriptive summary of what she/he contributed to the work

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

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.

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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Verena Hagspiel, telephone 7359 3152, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hilde Selli Egelie, 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) .

Application deadline: 07.01.2021

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 Industrial Economics and Technology Management

The department (IØT) has as its mission to carry out educational and research activities at a high international level. IØT’s core activity lies in the intersection between technology/natural sciences, business economics, management, and HSE, aiming to promote sustainable value creation in technology-based areas in industry, business and the public sector in Norway.

We recruit new employees who are passionate about contributing to the department’s vision “More research, interaction and cooperation which increases our value creation at the interface between technology/natural sciences and business economics, management, and HSE”. We are looking for you who have experience with and potential for continuous innovation at this interface.

Deadline 7th January 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service