PhD Candidate Energy and Environmental Economics, focusing on macroeconomic analysis of energy transition policies

There is a temporary PhD position for 3 years available at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management – Section Managerial Economics, Finance and Operation Research. The position is resident at NTNUs campus in Trondheim. This is an educational position, which will provide promising research recruits the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD-degree. The position is connected to the PhD program at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the faculty will be your employer.

The mission of Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management is to carry out education and research activities at a high international level in the intersection between technology/natural sciences and business economics, management, and HSE to promote sustainable value creation in technology-based areas in industry, business, and public sector organizations in Norway.

This PhD position is part of the newly funded VISTA Centre for Norwegian Transformative Energy Policy Development (NOTRAP) (https://www.ntnu.edu/notrap), which will operate from 2025 to 2029. The center develops Energy Policy Incubators (EPIs) to co-create transformative, context-sensitive energy policies together with policymakers, industry stakeholders, citizens, and researchers.

NOTRAP is a cooperation between eight departments from four different NTNU faculties, and will house eight PhD students to be recruited in 2025, in the fields of design, psychology, sociology, social anthropology, economics and political sciences. This vacancy concerns one of these eight PhD positions and is allocated to the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management.

Within NOTRAP, the IØT department contributes with macroeconomic and environmental policy analysis through the application of the REMES-Norway CGE model. The PhD project will contribute to the economic and environmental assessment of policy scenarios developed in the EPIs, focusing on macroeconomic analysis, and the labor market and environmental impacts of energy policies.
For this position, we aim to recruit a PhD Candidate who will contribute to the project by addressing the following research questions:

• How do energy transition policies affect different socio-economic groups and regions, and what are the implications for energy justice and policy acceptability?
• How can macroeconomic insights be effectively integrated into participatory co-creation activities within the Energy Policy Incubators (EPIs)?
• To what extent do behavioral and efficiency-based policies trigger rebound effects, and how can policy design mitigate these unintended consequences?

The candidate will work closely with a cross-disciplinary research team and will contribute to the development of policy-relevant outputs, such as policy briefs, academic publications, and stakeholder workshops.

The candidate will be based at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management and have access to co-working facilities shared with other NOTRAP PhD candidates at the Department of Psychology. The primary supervisor will be Dr. Paolo Pisciella (Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management), with co-supervision from Associate Professor Pedro Crespo Del Granado (Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management), and Professor Colin Green (Department of Economics) depending on the candidate’s profile and interests.

• The PhD-position’s main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) in Economics, Optimization, Econometrics, or related disciplines.   Applicants should have a strong academic background with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation.
• Strong background in quantitative economic analysis.
• Fluency in English (written and oral).

• Experience in applied macroeconomic modeling.
• Experience with CGE models or similar tools.
• Familiarity with the Norwegian or European energy policy context.
• Interest in policy co-creation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability transitions.
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage but not a requirement.

• Ability to work independently
• A high level of personal responsibility and initiative
• Ability to work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Good communication skills, be flexible and solution-oriented

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

• A vibrant research environment in one of Europe’s top technical universities.
• Opportunities for international research stays and conference participation.
• Access to a multidisciplinary team and a national center of excellence on energy policy research.
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with dedicated colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.

Information about Working and living in Norway can be found at the following link: http://www.nyinorge.no/en/Ny-i-Norge-velg-sprak/New-in-Norway/

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.

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, at gross NOK 536.200,- per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. The position is connected to the PhD program at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the faculty will be your employer. Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Industrial Economics and Technology Management within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. Your work place will be at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate.

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 be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

The position is subject to external funding.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present at campus in Trondheim and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1)    Application letter concerning explaining your interest in the position and how you meet the qualifications. (max 750 words)

2)    A CV with information on education, previous research experience, together with authorized documentation of certificates and study           records.

3)    Copy of Master’s thesis or other relevant publications. If you have recently 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.

4)     Up to three research proposals (max. 750 words each) outlining potential PhD project ideas.

5)    Name and address of three references

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. Please note that diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential for research will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

Questions about the position can be directed Dr. Paolo Pisciella (paolo.pisciella@ntnu.no) or Associate Professor Pedro Crespo Del Granado (pedro@ntnu.no).
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Hilde Selli Egelie, e-mail: hilde.s.egelie@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 07.06.2025