PhD Fellow in Sociology / STS: Knowledge, democracy, and community in a digital age

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Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0About the position

The Department of Sociology and Political Science (ISS) has a vacancy for a PhD Fellow in sociology. The position is suitable for candidates with an interest in power and knowledge issues related to technology in society, and how these shape democratic processes and social life, by studying data center development in Norway.

In the position, you will conduct research as part of the project "UNDER THE CLOUD – Knowledge, democracy, and community rights in Norway’s data centre landscape," while completing a doctorate. In this way, you will gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a career in higher education and research—both within and outside academia—and in other sectors with high demands for analytical skills.

The position is within NTNU's strategic area "Felleskap" and is linked to the Team "Kunnskap for demokrati og medborgerskap." You will also be part of the ISS research group "Teknologi og sosial endring," ISS "junior scholar seminars," and the national doctoral school DIGIT. In other words, the position offers excellent opportunities for professional development, research collaboration, conference participation, international publication, and participation in public debate.

The goal of the PhD position is to complete doctoral education and obtain a PhD. The position has a 3-year employment period. Your immediate supervisor is the Head of Department.

About the project

The PhD fellowship is the core of the NTNU Felleskap-funded, interdisciplinary project "UNDER THE CLOUD," which unites perspectives from sociology, STS, political science, history, and energy systems.

The project is based on the ongoing and controversial societal debate regarding data center development in Norway and examines them as places where questions of democracy, knowledge, and community emerge. Globally, the number of data centers is constantly increasing, also in Norway, where development puts pressure on energy supply, land use, and local authorities, who are formally responsible for managing the development. Data centers have become controversial because they touch upon issues of collective control, environment, power, security, and ownership. UNDER THE CLOUD examines how different actors understand, legitimize, and challenge data center development, with a focus on the knowledge practices of authorities, industry, and citizens. Theoretically, the project will contribute to knowledge about the conditions for democratic governance in digitized societies.

As a project team, we will together interview authorities and stakeholders, as well as analyze political documents. The PhD fellowship has the primary responsibility for investigating local community perspectives (how data centers affect the social world of residents, what data centers mean for a local community, and how those affected by data centers experience decision-making regarding data centers). Methodologically, the fellow is expected to apply an ethnographic design, in a broad sense, where you can designate the cases you wish to study.

The applicant is invited to write a project outline explaining the societal relevance of the topic, how you wish to contribute to the project's agenda, which theoretical directions you are interested in applying, and your thoughts on research design and progress. We are particularly looking for applicants who show interest in critical societal analysis. In the application letter or project outline, you are welcome to show that you are somewhat familiar with the data center debate and explain your personal motivation for investigating the topic.

Tasks

• Develop and carry out an independent research project, including data collection, analysis, and academic writing, in accordance with the frameworks described above and with high scientific quality.
• Actively contribute to research collaboration and to meetings within the project and the team "Kunnskap for demokrati og medborgerskap."
• Publish and communicate research in peer-reviewed journals and/or as a monograph, as well as at conferences and in relevant public arenas.
• Be an active participant in the research group "Teknologi og sosial endring" and in the ISS colleague community.
• Participate in international activities, such as conferences, seminars, doctoral courses, and/or research stays at other universities abroad.
• Complete the doktorgradsprogrammet until a doctorate is obtained.
• Conduct research of high quality.

Be prepared that changes to your tasks may occur after employment.

The doctoral student is committed to following the regulations related to changes and development in the position and/or organizational changes related to the operations at NTNU.

Qualification requirements

• Master's degree in sociology or science and technology studies (STS), or from another relevant field such as social anthropology, policy studies, human geography, or political science. Your educational path must correspond to a five-year Norwegian study, where 120 ECTS credits have been obtained at the master's level. The applicant must have a master's degree that includes a major independent work equivalent to a master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. Master's students may apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before the start of the position, which is no later than January 15, 2027.
• Strong academic background from your previous studies, with an average grade from the master's degree studies, or equivalent education, that is B or better compared to NTNUs karakterskala. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally strong academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suited for PhD education.
• Qualified for admission to the faculty's doktorgradsprogram i samfunnsvitenskap.
• Strong interest in interpretive, qualitative methods.
• You must meet the admission requirements for the SU faculty's doctoral program: https://www.ntnu.no/su/phd-utdanning
• Good written and oral skills in English.

NOTE: For detailed information on what the application must contain, see the section "Om søknaden."

We refer to NTNUs retningslinjer for rekrutteringsstillinger for general criteria for the position.

Desired qualifications

• A relevant, high-quality project outline will be given great weight in the assessment of the application.
• Knowledge of theories regarding the relationship between knowledge, democracy, and technology, as well as a good understanding of or interest in the societal aspects of digitalization, AI, and global technology companies.
• Documented experience with interpretive, qualitative research methods and analysis, including ethnographic approaches.
• Good written and oral presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian.
• Documented interest in one or more of the following themes: everyday life, experience, and opinion formation in the face of societal changes; knowledge, power, and democracy; digitalization; change processes and development in local communities; the political economy of natural resources; climate and environmental challenges; democratic decision-making processes and public governance; local authorities and major societal infrastructure.
• Experience from research, or as a research or teaching assistant.

Personal qualities

Completing a doctorate (PhD) can be demanding. Therefore, you should:

• Be curious, academically engaged, and motivated by the topic.
• Be able to work independently and take initiative.
• Actively contribute to collaboration and to including others.
• Be academically strong.
• Have a high work capacity.
• Be open to feedback and willing to develop your own ideas through discussion and collaboration with colleagues.

We offer

• an exciting job with an important samfunnsoppdrag
• developing tasks in a strong and international academic environment
• career guidance and oppfølging underveis i doktorgradsperioden
• an open and inkluderende arbeidsmiljø with engaged colleagues
• driftsmidler that can be used to carry out the project
• fadderordning for nyansatt ved NTNU
• favorable terms in Statens pensjonskasse

You will be employed as a PhD Fellow at NTNU and will have access to ansattgoder.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU, we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity of society and utilizes the potential in the population's collective competencies. Our vision is Kunnskap for en bedre verde and our values are kreativ, kritisk, konstruktiv og respektfull. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse, and gender-balanced is crucial for us to achieve our goals together.

We seek employees with different competencies, combinations of subjects, life experiences, and perspectives to contribute to even better task solutions for our societal mission in research and education.

If you find this position relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, and cultural background, or if you have been outside the workforce for a period.

Salary and terms

In the position as PhD Fellow code 1017, your salary will normally be gross NOK 550,800 per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, a 2% statutory contribution is made to Statens Pensjonskasse.

The employment period is 3 years. For employment in a PhD fellowship, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD program in Samfunnsvitenskap within three months of starting, and that you participate in an organized doctoral program within the employment period.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you stay updated on professional and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The employment is carried out according to the principles in statsansatteloven, and lovverk som regulerer eksport av kunnskap, teknologi og tjenester. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are deemed to conflict with the criteria in the latter law, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The application and attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must follow the application as these form the basis for the assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/Scandinavian or English.

We point out that the application will only be assessed based on the information we have by the application deadline. Therefore, ensure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experiences meet the criteria described above, and contains all necessary attachments.

If you have used AI when applying for this position: You must specify in the application how AI has been used when you wrote the application.

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring confirmed copies of diplomas and certificates upon request.

The application must include:

• A cover letter explaining your motivation for the position (both for pursuing a PhD and for the specific topic), and describing your relevant academic background as well as yourself as a person (1 page).
• CV.
• A project description for the doctoral project (maximum 1500 words). In the project description, you should explain the societal relevance of the topic, propose a research question and relevant theoretical approaches, as well as describe your thoughts on methodological design and progress.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees.
• The master's thesis, publications, or other relevant research work, if you have it.

• If you have not submitted it, you can attach a draft of the master's thesis.

• Name and contact information for three relevant references.

If all or part of your education was taken abroad, we ask you to additionally attach documentation on the scope and quality of your entire educational path, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to any other higher education. If your institution offers a "diploma supplement" (common for most European educational institutions), please attach this. A description of other necessary documentation can be found here. If you have a statement from HK-dir, it would be good if you attach that as well.

We take into account work you have done together with others. If it is difficult to identify your contribution in collaborative work, you must attach a short explanation of your participation.

When assessing the most qualified candidate, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience, as well as personal suitability. Motivation for the position, 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 to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and the commitments in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's societal mission).

General information

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

If you have questions about the position, you can contact Professor Heidrun Åm, email: heidrun.aam@ntnu.no

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR advisor Renate Lillian Johansen, email: renate.johansen@ntnu.no

Søknadsfrist: 01.09.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please see denne siden.

Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim er Norges teknologihovedstad with a population of over 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens, and general equality, is likely the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized childcare is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers good educational opportunities (including international schools) and opportunities to enjoy nature, culture, and family life, and has low crime and clean air quality.

About the employer:

NTNU - kunnskap for en bedre verden

At NTNU, Norway's technical-scientific university, knowledge is created for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap

We conduct research, teaching, and dissemination within the fields of sociology, political science, media, communication and information technology, and sports science. The department offers teacher education in social sciences and in physical education and sports science. As a social science department, we have a special commitment to contributing to the public debate on important societal issues. Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap is one of six departments at Fakultet for samfunns- og utdanningsvitenskap.