PhD fellow in Encircling material values

About the position

The AHO-based research network Circular Architecture and Material Flows(CA.) calls for applications for a four-year PhD-fellowship position, including 25% teaching, starting September 2025. The position is based at the Institute of Architecture and requires full-time attendance, including participation in the research education program. 

CA.is a research network for advanced studies of the reuse, transformation and preservation of architecture, and addresses the challenges of the accelerating climate crises and the problems of excessive consumption and waste within the building industry. By combining competences from the fields of heritage, environmental philosophy, material technology and architectural design, and by engaging a number of AHOs distinguished scholars and practitioners, CA. aims to develop new knowledge and holistic strategies for a more sustainable building industry. Rooted in the studio-based and practice-informed environment of AHO, CA. ensures a close link to teaching and strong ties to practice with long-term collaborations with external partners.

This PhD call invites innovative research proposals at the intersection of theory and practice, looking to uncover misalignments, gaps and potentials in the valuation and evaluation of reclaimed materials and existing buildings. 

 The pressure on natural habitats, intensified land use and accumulation of waste entails a shift in how we regard, discuss and assess building materials. A purely quantitative approach can tell us that adaptation and mitigation actions are necessary, but it does not tell us which options are the most suitable in respect to cultural heritage values and high-quality architectural effects. In line with the ambitions of New European Bauhaus, measurable properties should be viewed as part of a holistic conception of our surroundings, including aesthetic, ethic, cultural, and social aspects. Conversely, qualitative and arts-based approaches alone do not lead to measurable results, making all three aspects essential for the future sustainable development of the existing building stock. 

The involved professions lack a coherent analytical system and vocabularies that qualify, quantify and compare categories such as cultural value, environmental impact and architectural quality. Relying solely on a single evaluation method risks overlooking critical connections, for example when energy conservation leads to the extraction of new materials, thereby causing environmental degradation, or when heritage valuation fails to account for environmental consequences.

For the research proposed, theoretical studies can be paralleled by analysis of actual cases through on-site investigations and archival studies including building documents, planning applications, legislation and press coverage, as well as the observation of ongoing processes.

The candidate will be supervised by Associate Professor Even Smith Wergeland. 

Formal requirements 

We are looking for an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a background in the wider field of architecture (practice, planning, preservation, engineering, theory). 

The candidate must have:

• Master’s degree in architecture, architectural history, architectural technology, or related fields
• Documented experience in academic writing
• Teaching experience an advantage, not a requirement

Personal characteristics

• Ambitious, curious and highly motivated
• Ability to work systematically and complete work tasks within given deadlines
• Strong motivation to contribute to good a working and social environment
• Professional and personal ability to complete the PhD project on time.

Requirements for the project description

A tentative project outline of maximum 5 pages. This should contain1) the research field and research questions, 2) theoretical approach/methods, 3) empirical and/or case study materialand 4) educational relevance

The Application must include

• Project description (max 5 pages)
• An application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position (two A4 pages maximum)
• CV
• Certified copies of educational certificates, transcript of records, diplomasand letters of recommendation
• 3references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail address and telephone number).
• If available alist of publications 
• If available examples of work written by the applicant (three works maximum)
• If availablea portfolio of practical works (three works maximum). By practical works we mean for example a reuse project you have designed.

Applications that do not comply with the formal requirements will not be considered. Attachments beyond the required documents will not be taken into consideration. Only applications submitted through Jobbnorge will be considered.

The PhD application will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• The quality of the project description (outline)
• The applicant's suitability for the research tasks
• The academic competence of the applicant

We offer

The PhD scholarship is fully funded 4-year position, with 25 % compulsory work and there is no tuition fee. The salary is NOK532 200for a full position. From the salary, there will be a mandatory deduction of 2 % as a contribution to the State Pension fund (SPK). Standard employment conditions for state employees in Norway apply for the position. 

An annual allowance of 25 000 NOK (in total 75 000 NOK for the PhD period) for literature and other necessary academic activities. Office space in a professionally stimulating working environment. 

Information meeting 

Information meeting 

The PhD Programme at The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) will arrange an online information meeting about the AHO PhD Programme in the end of January. A link to the information meeting will be published on http://www.ahophdlive.com closer to the event.

General information about the PhD Programme: https://aho.no/en/content/phd-program

Contact Information

Questions about this PhD position can be directed to:

Associate Professor Even Smith-Wergeland (main supervisor): Even.Smith.Wergeland@aho.no, 

Head of Institute Hege Maria Eriksson : Hege.Maria.Eriksson@aho.no

Formal regulations

The purpose of this graduate research fellowship is research training leading to a completed PhD. The content of the position shall be regulated by the specific agreement reached between the scholarship recipient, the local unit where they will be working and their supervisor(s). The educational component in the AHO PhD Programme is mandatory and requires fulltime attendance. Residency in Oslo for the employment period is mandatory. Research stay at a relevant international academic institution is encouraged. The PhD fellowship will start September 1, 2025. 

From 1 august 2025 the Norwegian Universities and University Colleges Act states that if the Research fellow cannot document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, AHO must offer Norwegian language training. The research fellow must complete training equivalent to at least 15 credits within the term of employment. This is not part of the educational component of the PhD Programme. 

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the AHO.

 

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. AHO has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

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 AHO.