We apply for a PhD candidate on the topic Sustainable food governance and international entanglements in the case of salmon aquaculture.
The PhD-position is a temporary position for a period of three years.
The position is connected to the multidisciplinaryresearch group Environment, Sustainability and Governance
The position may be ascribed obligation to work and extended with up to one year.
About the project:
Current food governance can be conceptualized as consisting of complex choreographies of local, national, global, and private company governance. In Norway, aquaculture is a particularly important sector. Norway is the world’s largest exporter of salmon. Salmon farming is a good example of how Norwegian food production produces tensions concerning social and environmental sustainability in Norway in comparison with abroad. For example, changing the salmon’s diet to vegetarian resources, such as soya, contributes to deforestation in Brazil, which sources soya and increases competition for feed and food in the global food system. In Belfast, Maine U.S., a Norwegian salmon farming concern wanting to build the largest ever indoor salmon farm caused a major controversy in the local population.
Further, we can observe the increased presence of international owners, such as the Japanese company Mitsubishi, in salmon farms along the Norwegian coasts, challenging traditional comprehensions of ‘common, but national’ property rights in the ocean and their contribution to developing local coastal communities.
Questions emerge on how aquaculture governance might more efficiently address sustainable development, including social sustainability abroad. This PhD project studies the international entanglements of Norwegian aquaculture, with a focus on ensuring democratic governance, responsibility, and sustainability. A first step in the PhD project will be to map the status quo and existing challenges. The project is situated within political sociology. Instead of approaching the topic from a political science type macrolevel governance perspective, the PhD student is expected to engage in an in-depth, qualitative case study of a particular policy world related to a specific site or challenge. The aim is to investigate power relations and actor constellations. Situational analysis is a recommended methodological approach.
Within the thematic frame of the project, the applicant is invited to suggest which site, country, or problem they want to focus on in their application.
You will report to the Head of the Department.
Duties of the position
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 research on the topic Sustainable food governance and international entanglements in the case of salmon aquaculture
- It is required that the candidate participates in the research group Environment, Sustainability and Governance.
- It is expected 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.
Required selection criteria
- You must have a professionally relevant background in social science, preferably in sociology or equivalent education.
- Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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 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
Preferred selection criteria
- Interest and experience in qualitative methods will be considered advantageous.
- Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian and/or English.
- Relevant experience in research, such as dissemination and/or participation in a research project, or work experience on the topic is advantageous.
Personal characteristics
Personal qualifications such as well organized, initiative, cooperative 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.
We offer
- exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
- an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
- favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- employee benefits
Salary and conditions
As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross 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 employment period is 3 years. The position can be assigned a duty work, and extended by up to one year.
Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD program in Social Sciences, specializing in sociology within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.
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 in the Trondheim area in order to be present and available for the institution as required.
About the application
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 your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified 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.
We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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
NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.
NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. (tas bort hvis ikke aktuelt)
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.
The city of Gjøvik has a population of 30 000 and is a town known for its rich music and cultural life. The beautiful nature surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.
The city of Ålesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. Ålesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.
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 Associate Professor Hilde. Bjørkhaug, e-mail: hilda.bjorkhaug@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Renate Lillian Johansen, e-mail: renate.johansen@ntnu.no
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: 10.08.2022
NTNU – knowledge for a better world
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.