PhD Fellow in Interdisciplinary Arctic Energy, Sustainability, and Well-Being Studies

Changing Arctic Research School

The transdisciplinary Changing Arctic research school brings together PhD candidates and supervisors from all seven faculties at UiT the Arctic University of Norway. The research school has a focus on renewable energy, food security, health and welfare. “Changing Arctic” will collaborate with actors in private and public sector. The research outcomes will contribute to resilience and transformation in the Arctic and will thus operationalize Sustainable Development Goals.

The training will provide PhD candidates with knowledge, professional and transferable skills, and general competences that enables them to contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions for the Arctic. The research school will arrange courses, seminars, workshops, and excursions, and will organise secondments in private enterprises, NGOs, and public institutions. This is to ensure the relevance of project outcomes and enhance the employability of the PhD graduates. Read more about the research school Changing Arctic | UiT.

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Science and Technology. The position is a fixed term position for a duration of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25% each year and will consist of teaching (10%) and other duties such as secondments and interactions with the industry or the public sector (15 %). The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The workplace is at UiT Campus Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer. The Research School starts on the 18.08.2025.

The position’s affiliation and field of research

Despite the candidate is a member of the research school, they will be employed at the Department of Computer Science, at the Faculty of Science and Technology. As part of this affiliation, the candidate must be open to teaching responsibilities that are primarily related to computer science. While candidates from various STEM backgrounds are encouraged to apply, they should be willing to contribute to the department's teaching activities, which may include fundamental computer science courses and related topics, in alignment with the department’s needs.

We are seeking a motivated and talented PhD candidate to join an exciting interdisciplinary research project exploring the intersections of sustainable energy systems and mental health and well-being in Arctic regions. The project aims to address the unique challenges of Arctic living by balancing energy efficiency, voltage stability, and health and well-being in built environments.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and transdisciplinary environment, engaging with topics such as:

• Energy system optimization tailored to the demands of Arctic climates.
• The impact of indoor environmental factors, including lighting and greenery, on mental health, well-being, and energy consumption.
• Exploring trade-offs between sustainability objectives and the needs for improving quality of life in Arctic settings.

Candidates are invited to propose a project that fits within these broad themes, combining technical aspects of energy systems with insights from social sciences, environmental psychology, or related fields. We are looking for creative approaches to addressing the complex trade-offs between energy efficiency, voltage stability, and human health in Arctic settings.

The position is part of the Changing Arctic Research School, a transdisciplinary initiative that fosters collaboration across a wide range of disciplines. This provides an excellent opportunity for the candidate to engage with researchers from diverse fields, enriching their perspective and strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of the project. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to both theoretical advancements and practical solutions that support sustainable living and community health in Arctic regions.

This position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on Arctic communities while building a career in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

This PhD position provides an opportunity to develop cutting-edge interdisciplinary research skills while making a meaningful impact on Arctic communities in terms of sustainability and well-being.

Project proposal:

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project description shall not exceed 5 pages, literature references included. It must include a description of the theme, research question(s), and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used, and what actors outside the academia may be involved

The final extended project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervision team after employment, and it is a requirement for full admission to the PhD programme. 

Contact

For further information about the project, please contact: 

• Associate Professor Chiara Bordin, Email: chiara.bordin@uit.no 

For further information about the Changing Arctic Research School, please contact:

• Professor Michaela Aschan and senior adviser Hanne Risan Johnsen, Email: ChangingArctic@uit.no

Qualifications

This position requires:

• A master's degree equivalent to a Norwegian one.
• Documented fluency of in English (Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma). 
• The ablilty to work in an international environment.

We welcome applicants with a strong background in STEM fields (e.g., energy systems, environmental engineering, computer science) and an interest in combining it with social sciences (e.g., environmental psychology, anthropology) who are eager to engage in cross-disciplinary research.The master’s thesis must be included in the application.

The Ideal candidate has:

• Experience or a keen interest in modelling, programming, systems thinking, and qualitative/quantitative methods related to human well-being and sustainability
• A strong academic background and prior experience in either industry or academia.
• Previous work experience and an understanding of the duties and responsibilities in professional environments will be prioritized. 
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research and will be capable of working independently while effectively engaging with the supervision team. 

The PhD candidate is expected to work self-sufficiently on research tasks that directly contribute to the research focus agreed with the supervisors during supervision meetings.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. (The project description will also be considered.) In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Demonstrate respect for diversity and equality, including gender equality, in a professional and academic setting.
• Value the importance of working with supervisors of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Have good communication and interaction skills with colleagues, students, and supervisors.
• Are able to work effectively under the guidance of supervisors.
• Uphold integrity and transparency in all academic and professional activities.
• Demonstrate respect for the roles and contributions of supervisors fostering an ethical and open working relationship.
• Are committed to ethical conduct, ensuring that all stakeholders are appropriately acknowledged in research outputs.
• Are committed to maintaining a high standard of academic integrity and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Value constructive, open communication and foster a peaceful working environment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to a positive and productive working environment.

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training, if you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

The PhD candidate is expected to produce a PhD thesis that is a collection of minimum three peer-reviewed scientific papers. These works are to be developed under close regular discussions with the supervisors. The research group regards active supervision as a necessary and substantial contribution naturally leading to co-authorship of the supervisors in scientific publications. However, it is a requirement that the PhD candidate must be the first author and main contributor of the peer-reviewed works produced during the PhD period. Therefore, priority will be given to applicants who already can demonstrate the ability to develop and publish scientific papers in relevant scientific journals, as well as the ability to successfully discuss research questions and advanced research topics with more experienced professionals, like it normally happens during supervision meetings.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 

In order to gain admission to the programme, the candidate must document sufficient potential for research. The applicant must have a grade point average of C (strong 3.0) or better for the master’s degree, which must contain an independent work. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Application

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation for this PhD project, interest in Arctic research and how your career goals align with the objectives of this project.
• CV (detailing your academic background, research experience, technical skills and any relevant publications or projects).
• A research proposal (5 pages max, including references) outlining your understanding of the project and proposed approach including:
  • Suggested research objectives and questions
  • An understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the project
  • A brief literature review or background on relevant works in energy and power systems, mental health and well-being, and sustainability in Arctic settings
  • Proposed methodology or approach (particularly focusing on systems thinking, mathematical modeling, or related methods)
  • Expected outcomes or contributions to the field
• One or two writing samples (e.g., research papers, publications, or master’s thesis chapters or any other academic works) 
• Skills or Expertise Inventory:
  A list of specific skills and expertise relevant to the project, such as experience with energy modeling tools, systems thinking, human-centered research, and familiarity with Arctic challenges.
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Official transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project in a transdisciplinary research school
• A good and interdisciplinary academic environment with dedicated colleagues 
• Good career opportunities, and high employability after successful graduation
• A stunning Arctic landscape and diversity of outdoor activities
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 536 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
• If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Assessment 

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants. 

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with 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.

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

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.