PhD Fellowship position in Sustainable innovation and radical technologies and solutions for future water industry

The Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering (MEK) has vacant a PhD fellowship position in sustainable innovation and radical technologies and solutions for future water industry. Aquatic life in Oslo Fjord is threatened by pollution from urban wastewaters and agriculture. Norwegian wastewater industry has ambitious target to reduce energy consumption by 50%, and significantly decrease urban wastewater overflows. Hence, major technological investments will be necessary. 

The goal for project is to investigate possible radical innovations for future water industry from sustainability perspectives: societal, environmental, and economic. Which radical solutions and technologies could provide sustainable alternatives and what are the environmental, economic, and social impacts? What would this mean for Oslo Fjord, citizens, and municipality?

Main objective is to explore potentials and challenges for digital solutions to enable engagement for sustainable water consumption and disposal in Oslo area in 2030 and 2070.

The project is a collaboration between Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical engineering, the Department of Art, Design and Drama and the department of Built Environment at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design. 

Area of research

Radical innovation in Norwegian water industry to improve the sustainability of water and sanitation systems in Oslo Area, will require collaboration and scientific competence across disciplines. This project will utilize transdisciplinary approaches in research for design for sustainability and innovation processes.

The project will employ research methods and work forms such as action research, foresight, co-creation, modeling and simulation, life-cycle assessment and digital prototype development. Emphasized in the project are collaboration with stakeholders in both the wastewater systems and the recreation areas of the fjord.

The participating stakeholders in the PhD project will include both young citizens in the urban areas (preferably students and teachers in design at upper og lower secondary school or similar); stakeholders in the water industry; and municipalities and government representants.

The position is for a period of three years. The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree within design, design of information systems, applied computer and information technologies, human-computer interaction, interaction design, system design or similar fields. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS). 
• An academic profile that suits the project’s needs.
• Good communication skills in English, oral and written.

The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:

• Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
• Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
• Minimum average grade C on the subjects included in the bachelor's degree. If you have an integrated master's degree, the grades from the first three standard years of the degree will be assessed.

Admission to the doctoral program Innovation for Sustainability at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research within the field.

General criteria for employment in academic positions are covered by the Regulations on employment conditions for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, plan, dimension and direct own work.
• Ability and willingness to explore possibilities for innovation and creativity.
• Experience in working with issues regarding sustainability.
• Capacity to work under pressure.

Personal suitability will be emphasised.

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development 
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no/en/)
• Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses
• Workplace in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers 

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway (oslomet.no/en/work)

Application

To be considered for the position, you must upload the following documents by the application deadline:

• Application letter describing your motivation and how your professional profile is relevant for this position.
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees (which list subjects and grades) and certificates. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document with a stamp from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
  • Your master's degree must be completed at the time of application. If you have not received a diploma before the application deadline, you must attach a preliminary transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline, in addition to an official confirmation from the educational institution that all examinations for the master's degree, including the master's thesis, have been completed. Official diploma and transcript must be forwarded by the joining date.
• Name and contact information of two references (name, relationship, e-mail and telephone number).
• Scientific work that you want to be assessed and Master thesis.
• Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must submit the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the United States.
  • Applicants who hold an “International Baccalaureate (IB)” diploma.

The following language tests are approved documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). In these tests, you must have achieved at least the following scores:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, where none of the sections should have a lower score than 5.5 (only the Academic IELTS test is accepted).

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.  

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. A background check may be conducted to verify information in submitted CVs and available documents. Background checks are not conducted without the consent of the applicant and relevant applicants will receive further information about this.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Professor Tiina Komulainen tiina.komulainen@oslomet.no, +47 67238712
• Head of research Tore Gimse, toregims@oslomet.no, +47 67237281

The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 532 200 per year.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no. 

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications: August 1st 2024

Ref.: 24/19736