PhD Research Fellow

PhD Research Fellow in Sustainable Mobility

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) has a vacancy for a 4-year position as PhD candidate in Sustainable Mobility 

We seek a highly motivated and talented PhD research fellow to join the Sustainable Mobility Research Group. If you are passionate about contributing to the advancement of mobility justice and intrigued by the future of mobility, this position could be an ideal fit for you. The dynamics of future mobility pose a crucial question today, and as of now, no one has a definitive solution. By joining this project, you will have the unique opportunity to actively contribute to shaping the future of mobility. The position is associated with the research project “Justice-oriented Urban Spatial Analysis and Transportation with Modelling (JUST-Model)" financed by HVL. If you are interested in contributing to advancing spatial analysis tools for concepts of mobility and spatial justice using model driven language and systems, this position could be for you. 

About the position/ work tasks:

The project, JUST-Model, aims to investigate the concept of spatial justice for mobility using model driven language and systems, with a specific focus on transport justice, mobility justice, and mobility inequalities for spatial analysis. The research will involve assessing mainstream and alternative spatial analysis data, methods, and tools in relation to transport and mobility policies. 

The objective is to collaboratively develop spatial analysis methods and tools that incorporate the principles of spatial justice with relevant stakeholders and end-users. This will assist in decision-making for transport and mobility policies. This research seeks to establish connections between the realms of mobility and transport planning and software engineering, leveraging the most recent discussions and advancements in both fields to guide the research. The interdisciplinary nature of this study propels the operationalization of spatial justice in spatial analysis methods and tools. 

The proposed PhD position is a collaborative effort between the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences (IBMN) and the Department of Computer science, Electrical engineering and Mathematical sciences at the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Science. The candidate will be enrolled in the PhD Programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks, and Engineering Computing, and will be based at the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences. 

With this project, you will work on the following: 

• Conceptualize spatial justice for mobility, including transport justice, mobility justice, and mobility inequalities, for spatial analysis. 
• Evaluate mainstream and alternative spatial analysis data, methods, and tools in relation to transport and mobility policies. Consider factors such as modeling language and systems, fit-for-purpose, data interoperability, FAIR data management principles, and open science considerations. 
• Co-create and develop spatial analysis methods and tools to incorporate the concept of spatial justice into decision-making for transport and mobility policies. 

You will also be encouraged to take part in the supervision of MSc students. 

The candidate will have his/her place of work and affiliation with the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Science at Campus Bergen. 

Preferred starting Date is 1 June 2024

Research environment 

The Sustainable Mobility Research Group is dedicated to researching and developing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility, which encompasses new technologies, policy changes, and behavioral strategies. We collaborate with policymakers, communities, and industry partners to test and refine research findings in real-world settings, aiming to shape sustainable mobility policies and practices. Our team encourages knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration to foster comprehensive approaches to sustainable mobility. We engage with diverse communities and stakeholders, particularly focusing on understanding the mobility needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups such as children, young adults, older adults, women, minorities, and individuals and groups with different abilities. Our work includes key themes and topics such as institutional innovation, land use transport integration, mobility cultures, spatial justice, and urban digital twins, among others. For this particular project, we are in the process of hiring one new PhD candidate and one postdoctoral researcher to work closely together as a team together with the project group to solve the tasks described above.  

Qualifications:

• You must hold a Masters degree in the field of spatial or land use planning, transport planning, geography, spatial economics, computer science or related fields. 
• You must have a professionally relevant background in conducting research or working with research projects.  
• Advanced knowledge of GIS software and tools. 
• Excellent proficiency in English (written and verbal). 
• Willingness to travel to carry out project activities within Norway. 

The following qualifications will be given special emphasis: 

• Familiarity with modelling languages, or machine learning (deep learning) or data science.. 
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods, priority for being able to adopt mixed methods research approaches. 
• Background in research related to sustainable mobility, including but not limited to knowledge of new technologies and policies  
• Experience in working with diverse communities and stakeholders and communicating with different types of stakeholders. 

Personal characteristics: 

• Confidence in working independently and proactively. 
• Ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work in multicultural teams and environments. 

The PhD research fellow must enroll in the PhD programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, and must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into the PhD programme. 25% of the 4-year period will be designated to teaching, supervision of students and similar activities.An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor will help with this procedure. The candidate must submit the application for enrollment in a PhD programme within 3 months from the start of the employment.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job" (“Søk stillingen").

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master Thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 15)
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education (bachelor and master's degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master's degree. 
Please see www.nokut.no/en (http://www.nokut.no/en) for more information about NOKUT's general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

Initial salaries will be offered at grade 54 (code 1017) in the Civil Service pay grade table scale.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit (must be considered individually).

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Contacts:

Dr. IR. Wendy Guan Zhen Tan , wta@hvl.no

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration

Homepage (http://www.hvl.no)