We are looking for PhD candidate in the history and politics of Deep Sea Mining. The position is related to an interdisciplinary research project: TripleDeep – The Deep Dilemmas: Deep Sea Mining for the new Deep Transition.
For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.
Project description
The deep ocean floor contains vast deposits of minerals that are necessary in renewable energy technologies. These minerals are expected to be in high demand due to the de-carbonization of the global economy and the transition to a net-zero economy. But while the “blue minerals” may hold the key to a greener future, mining the deep seas raises many questions and dilemmas. Can the minerals be mined without causing massive and irreparable harm to the unique ecology of the deep oceans? Who will be allowed to exploit these minerals, and on what conditions? How can conflicts over rich deposits be avoided? What rules and incentives are needed to attract responsible investors that can pay for the development of the necessary technology? Is it worthwhile to destroy unique and largely unknown habitats in the deep seas in order to address the climate crisis?
The primary objective of the TripleDeep project is to investigate whether Deep Sea Mining can provide a new source of critically important minerals in a sustainable manner. To do so we must address significant knowledge gaps about the political, economic, technological and ecological dimensions of deep sea mining, and particularly how they interact with each other. The TripleDeep project group consist of an inter-disciplinary team, bringing together historians, marine biologists, economists and engineers.
About the position
The PhD position is in the history and politics of Deep Sea Mining. While there is no operational Deep Sea Mining industry today, the plans for exploitation of valuable ocean minerals have been debated and heavily contested for more than 50 years. Multinational corporations, national governments, environmental activists and international organizations have all sought to impose their ideas about whether and how the oceans and its resources shall be regulated and used. The stakes are high. Turning the ocean into a new frontier of mineral extraction can create huge gains and losses. It can destroy local habitats while contributing to the preservation of environment on land. Similarly, it can provide revenues to poor states and supply security for critical materials needed by industrialized states, but also threaten vulnerable societies dependent on income from mineral exports, fisheries and other marine resources. It can also exacerbate local, national and international political conflicts. This project aims to investigate how the plans, justifications and political frameworks for Deep Sea Mining have developed over time, and how they are influenced by shifting ideas, norms, rules and power in international politics.
You will report to the project leader, Mats Ingulstad.
Duties of the position
The TripleDeep project aims to achieve integrated interdisciplinary cooperation of high quality and according to international standards. As a PhD candidate you will be part of a research group consisting of 4 PhD candidates and 4 permanent academic staff. Each PhD-candidate will have a co-supervisor from another discipline within the project group. As a PhD candidate, you will be expected to:
- Develop your own approach to the project, ie. through selection of actors, cases and issues to be studied in more detail
- Identify knowledge gaps in the relevant literature
- Adopt appropriate methodology
- Gather information from a variety of sources, including government archives
- Work closely with the other PhD candidates
- Participate in regular project workshops
- Contribute to joint project publications
Required selection criteria
- You must have a professionally relevant background in history or other relevant disciplines
- Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Historical and Cultural Studies
The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant
Preferred selection criteria
- Intellectual independence and creativity
- Solid disciplinary skills
- Background or experience in more than one of the project disciplines (history, economics, engineering, biology) will be considered an advantage
- Excellent communication skills in Norwegian and English
Personal characteristics
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated
- Motivated to solve environmental problems and advance sustainability
- Ambitious and goal-oriented
- Team player
About the application
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.
The application must include:
- CV, certificates and diplomas
- transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
- A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have 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.
- A motivation letter (1-2 pages), describing the relevance of your disciplinary background, your interest in the project, and how you would approach the given topic
- Name and address of three referees
- If you have publications or other relevant research work
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. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
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 will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Mats Ingulstad, e-mail: mats.ingulstad@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Åse Marit Skarholt, e-mail: ase.marit.skarholt@ntnu.no.
Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. 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 are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.
Application deadline: 07.01.2022
For further information, please click here.