PhD Fellowship position in Transdisciplinary design thinking and disruptive technologies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Faculty of Technology, Arts and Design (TKD) at OsloMet announces one open PhD fellowship in the area of design-based innovation concerning the use of disruptive technologies in transdisciplinary teams. The position will be attached to the Department of Art, Design and Drama, the Department of Product Design and the Department of Computer Science. The fellowship is planned for a period of three years. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at OsloMet to obtain the degree PhD.

Area of research

The purpose of this PhD project is to expand our knowledge about factors that stimulate successful transdisciplinary collaborations between engineers, designers, and users within the framework of design thinking. Examples of such collaboration can be co-creation of concepts and prototypes, collaborative design of upcycled technological artefacts or innovative transdisciplinary practices for evaluation and implementation. The goal of the project is to develop new methods for design in transdisciplinary teams through development and novel use of disruptive technologies that have direct touchpoints with citizens. This can be technology that serves, support and assist peoples’ daily activities, technology in the home (food making and nutrition, health, hygiene and leisure), technology in the public space on peoples’ way to and from work (transportation, information, art, safety), technology at the workplace or technology in leisure time (travel, fitness, socializing, entertainment).

The fellowship will be for a period of three years, or alternatively, four years including 25% compulsory work (teaching and supervision activities or research administrative work). The decision on whether a 3 or a 4-year position is suitable will be discussed as part of the interview process. 

Qualification requirements

You must have

• A formal education that qualifies for admittance to the PhD program Innovation for sustainability. 
• Master’s degree in an area relevant for the PhD project (120 ECTS) with a grade B or better
• An academic interest in design and transdisciplinary research. Additional formal qualifications within design are highly beneficial. 
• Documented training in research methods.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

Admission to the doctoral program Innovation for sustainability at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet, within 3 months after employment in the position, is a prerequisite for joining the position. Candidates who already hold a PhD in the same or similar field may not apply. General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat.

We are looking for applicants who have

• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate and work in a transdisciplinary group with diverse background 
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, plan, dimension, and direct own work
• Ability and willingness to explore possibilities for innovation and creativity as they arise
• Experience in working with issues regarding sustainability
• Capacity to work under pressure and finish tasks

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.

Expert evaluation

• An expert committee will assess applicants. You must upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for applications: 
• Application letter, describing your motivations for applying to this fellowship as well as a short overview of the qualifications, technical skills, experience, and personal skills that make you a suitable candidate for a successful and productive completion of this work.
• Project description: maximum 10 pages. The project description must be written in English or a Scandinavian language.
• CV and copies of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A– F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
  Master's thesis (and any other scholarly work that the expert committee should take into consideration).
• Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted)
• The following applicants are exempt from the above-mentioned language requirements:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA.
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

You must upload all of these documents. Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

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

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.

When assessing and ranking the qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on

• The scientific quality of the project description, including originality, transdisciplinarity and potential
• The relevance of the project description to the listed research areas
• The project's feasibility within the dedicated time period
• Past scientific work, where relevant
• Experience from previous research activities and participation in research projects.

We can offer you        

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development in the AI Lab, OsloMet Makerspace, and within one of OsloMet’s Centers of Research Excellence, NordSTAR 
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Free Norwegian classes to employees
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers
• Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway (oslomet.no/en/work)

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job code 1017 PhD, state salary wage scale 54, 501 200 NOK per year. 

Other information

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

• Head of the Department of Art, Design and Drama, Liv Klakegg Dahlin +47 997 17 199, livkd@oslomet.no
• Head of the Department of Product Design, Einar Stoltenberg,  +47 67 23 85 89, estolten@oslomet.no

Anticipated mentor team: 

• Professor Eva Lutnæs, Department of Art, Design and Drama 
• Professor Arild Berg, Department of Product Design
• Professor Frode Eika Sandnes, Department of Computer Science

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 OsloMet. 

OsloMet has adhered to the principles in the DORA declaration (sfdora.org/read/) and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration.

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

Deadline for applications: March 2nd 2023

Ref.: 23/00198