PhD Fellowship position The Future of 15 Minute Cities

The department of built environment has a vacant position as a PhD fellow in The Future of 15 Minute Cities. The PhD Fellow will be a part of the research group TransFrUrban. Read more about the research group here: https://www.oslomet.no/en/research/research-groups/transport-infrastructure-and-urban-development.

Area of research

The 15-minute City concept has inspired cities to evolve into more accessible, functional, and sustainable places – providing everything residents need within about a 15-minute walk or bicycle ride – advancing better urbanism and more sustainable transport systems. Despite its successes, the 15-minute city as both idea and reality are poorly defined, poorly understood, and difficult to evaluate. For example, what does a multi-modal transportation system look like in a 15-minute city and how does it function? Who benefits, and who is left behind, in the 15-minute city? If the 15-minute city is the future of urbanism, what are the next steps for cities that achieve the basic goal of access-to-destinations within 15 minutes? In addition to applied research questions around 15-minute cities, there are also more basic and theoretical questions underlying 15-minute cities, particularly if the concept is to become a guiding principle in good urbanism. For example, the 15-minute city movement has been accused of being paternalistic and even anti-urban in its design and planning. 

The project aims to enhance knowledge of both fundamental and applied research questions related to 15-minute cities, both in the current context and with a view to the future. It will be part of the TransFrUrban research group in the Department of the Built Environment at OsloMet.

The position has a duratio of three years. 

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree within in urban studies, transport engineering, social or behavior sciences, human geography or equivalent related disciplines. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS). All exams for the master's degree must be completed by 30 June 2025.
• An academic profile that suits the research group's and the department’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.

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 appointment to recruitment positions are set out in the Regulations relating to terms and conditions of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant and specialist candidate (FOR-2006-01-31-102), cf. transitional rules described in Section 13.2 of the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles
• Relevant academic competence or applied/methodological experience in urban and transport planning, as well as other topics relevant to the development of 15-minute cities
• Motivated to explore and understand future urban forms and functions
• Goal-oriented and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently and in teams 
• Ambition for an international research career and a desire to contribute to the further development of the field

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.

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 from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
  
  • o   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.
• 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).

Official diploma and transcript must be submitted before taking up the position, no later than 01.10.2025. If your educational institution is not able to deliver an official diploma by the deadline, you must submit documentation from the institution that confirms that your master´s degree is completed by the same deadline.

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded wihtin the deadlines stated in the announcement text 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.

Other information

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

• Head of Department Yonas Zewdu Ayele, yonas.ayele@oslomet.no, +47 67236085
• Associate Professor Daniel Piatkowski, daniel.piatkowski@oslomet.no, +47 67235868

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: May 1st, 2025
Ref.: 25/03196