PhD Fellowship position in Evaluating Ecodesign Strategies for Sustainable Clothing Consumption

The department of Art, Design and Drama at the Faculty of technology, art and design, has a vacant position as a PhD fellow in Evaluating Ecodesign Strategies for Sustainable Clothing Consumption. The position is connected to the research group Fashion.Textiles.Design: products and practices.

Area of research

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to investigate the effectiveness of ecodesign strategies in reducing new clothing consumption, in line with the European Commission's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). 

The ESPR aims to boost circularity and reduce waste in the textile industry by setting ecodesign requirements to ensure all textile products on the EU market are durable, reparable, and recyclable. However, critics challenge the underlying assumptions of the regulation: that increased durability leads to long product lifespans, which in turn reduce clothing consumption, arguing that the effectiveness of these ecodesign strategies is not well understood. 

This PhD position aims to investigate the feasibility of the proposed ESPR ecodesign requirements for reducing the consumption of new clothing.

Project Tasks:

• Conduct an in-depth analysis of the ESPR ecodesign requirements, emphasizing aspects such as design for durability, repair, and reuse.
• Identify and investigate selected ecodesign strategies already in market.
• Investigate consumer behaviours and consumption patterns related to the selected ecodesign strategies.
• Develop, prototype, and test innovative ecodesign strategies that shed light on the problem. 
• Utilize a mixed methods approach combining design practice and qualitative research methods. 
• Disseminate findings at relevant international forums for textiles policy and regulation development.

To limit the scope of the project it is proposed that fashion clothing is studied, for example ready-to-wear, High Street, mass-market, or otherwise, as fits the study. Alternatively, the study could focus on consumer groups that have high consumption rates of new clothing.  However, other delimitations of scope will be considered. Workplace-situated projects are welcomed.

The findings will bridge the knowledge gap on ecodesign strategies, potentially contributing to future regulations, while also informing industry practices, and advancing academic discourse on textile sustainability to educate future fashion designers. 

The position is advertised as a 3-year position with 100% research, or a 4-year position with 75% research and 25% other career-advancing work. The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame. The decision on a 3- or 4-year position will be discussed as part of the interviews in the hiring process.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree within in Fashion Design 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

It is an advantage if you have:

• Established clothing design practice
• Experience with qualitative research methods
• Experience with regulations/policy

To succeed in your PhD project, you need to have a sustainable mindset and the ability to think both creatively and analytically. In addition to being self-motivated and independent, you are solution-oriented and adaptable. 

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. The application letter should outline your area of interest for investigation and how you will go about it.
• 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 studies Alexander Kayiambakis, alkay7875@oslomet.no, + 47 990 07 934
• Associate Professor Jo Cramer, Jo.Cramer@olsomet.no, +47 672 37 012

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.: 25/03197