项目介绍

2026年7月23日

About the position

The Department of Sociology and Political Science (ISS) has a vacancy for a PhD research fellow in sociology. This position is suited for candidates interested in critical and interpretive approaches to the study of knowledge, power and technology in society, and in exploring how these shape democratic processes and social life through the case of data centre developments in Norway. 

In this position, you will conduct research as part of the project “UNDER THE CLOUD – Knowledge, democracy, and community rights in Norway’s data centre landscape,” while achieving your doctorate degree. In this manner, you will gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education, research and other sectors requiring analytic skills, both within and outside academia.

The position is situated within NTNU’s strategic research area “Community” and affiliated with the interdisciplinary research team “Knowledge for Democracy and Citizenship.” You will also become part of the research group “Technology and social change” at ISS, ISS’ junior scholar seminars, and the national research school on “Digitalization, Culture and Society.” Thus, the position offers excellent opportunities for academic development, research collaboration, conference participation, international publication, and engagement with societal actors.

The position is for three years. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

UNDER THE CLOUD – Knowledge, democracy, and community rights in Norway’s data centre landscape 
The PhD position is the core of the ‘NTNU Community’-funded, interdisciplinary project “UNDER THE CLOUD” combining sociology, STS, political science, history, and energy systems perspectives. 

The project addresses the ongoing and often contentious public debate about data centre developments in Norway and explores them as sites where questions of democracy, knowledge and community are negotiated. The number of data centres is steadily increasing worldwide, also in Norway where this expansion is putting pressure on energy supplies, land use, and local authorities who have formal responsibility to handle the development. Data centres have become contested objects, raising questions of collective control, environmental impact, power, security and ownership. UNDER THE CLOUD investigates how different actors understand, justify, or contest data centre development with a focus on the knowledge practices of authorities, industry actors, and citizens. The scientific aim of the project is to advance knowledge on conditions of democratic governance in highly digitalized societies. 

As project team, we will together conduct interviews with authorities and stakeholders, as well as policy document analysis. The PhD position has the main responsibility for exploring local communities’ perspectives (how data centres affect citizens’ life worlds, what a data centre means for a local community, and how those affected by data centres experience decision-making in relation to data centres). To this end, we suggest ethnographic approaches, understood in broad ways, and a focus on selected sites (that you can select). 

Applicants are expected to develop a proposal that explains what you consider the societal relevance of this topic, as well as how you plan to contribute to the project’s agenda, suggesting relevant theoretical perspectives, and your thoughts on research design and the way forward. We particularly welcome proposals that engage critically with questions of knowledge, power, democracy, and lived experience, and that demonstrate conceptual ambition. Either in the attached application letter or project outline, you are encouraged to demonstrate some familiarity with ongoing debates on data centres and explain your personal motivation for the topic. 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education (Sociology – Programme Components – Social Sciences – NTNU )until obtaining a doctorate
• Develop and carry out an independent research project, including data collection, analysis, and academic writing, representing high-quality research within the framework described above.
• Contribute to collaborative research activities and meetings within the project and the “Knowledge for
• Democracy and Citizenship”-team
• Publish and disseminate research in peer-reviewed journals and/or through a monograph, as well as at conferences, and through relevant public venues. 
• Actively contribute to the research group “Technology and social change” and ISS’ academic and social environment.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences, workshops, and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.
• Complete the required coursework as part of the PhD program.
   

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. The PhD is obliged to conform with the regulations concerning changes and developments within the position, and/or the organizational changes concerning activities at NTNU.

Required selection criteria

• Master’s degree in Sociology or Science and Technology Studies (STS), or from adjacent fields, such as Social Anthropology, Policy Studies, Human Geography, or Political Sciences
• Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 ECTS credits have been obtained at master’s level. The Master’s degree must include an independent research project equivalent to a Master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. Master’s students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. The position must be taken up no later than January 15, 2027.
• Strong academic background from your previous studies with an average grade from your master’s degree, or equivalent education, equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can demonstrate particular suitability for a doctoral study on the theme.
• Meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s Doctoral Programme in Social Science.
• Strong interest in interpretive and qualitative methodological approaches.
• Good written and oral skills in English.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application.”

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• The quality and relevance of the project outline will be an important part of the overall assessment of candidates.
• Knowledge of theoretical approaches for studying questions of knowledge, democracy, and technology; as well as good understanding of or interest for societal aspects related to the rise of digitalization, AI, and global tech companies.
• Documented experience with interpretive, qualitative data collection and analysis, including ethnographic approaches.
• Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following topics: daily life, experience, and meaning-making in the face of societal transformations; questions of knowledge, power, and democracy; digitalization; processes of change and development in local communities; climate and environment challenges; political economy of natural resources; democratic decision-making and public policy; local government and large-scale infrastructures.
• Experience from research, or as research or teaching assistant.

Personal characteristics

Completing a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) can be demanding. Therefore, we expect that you:

• Are intellectually curious and strongly motivated for the subject. 
• Are able to work independently and take initiative.
• Are eager to collaborate and invite others in. 
• Have strong professional and analytical skills.
• Have high work capacity. 
• Are open to feedback and willing to develop your ideas through discussion and collaboration with colleagues and supervisors.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the  Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is three years. 

For employment as a PhD research fellow, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Social Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The application and required attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above, and include all required attachments. If you have used AI when applying for this position: You must specify in the application in what way AI has been used when writing your application. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include: 

• An application letter that specifies your motivation for the position (both for pursuing a PhD generally and for the specific topic) and that describes your academic background and you as a person (1 page) 
• CV 
• Project outline containing an overall description of how you would approach the proposed research project explaining the societal relevance for exploring this topic, suggesting a research problem definition and relevant theoretical perspectives, and your thoughts on research design and the way forward (maximum 1500 words). 
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• Copy of master’s thesis and other relevant publications. If you have not yet 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.
• Possible certificates and relevant publications, or other scholarly work
• Names and contact information of three referees