Website Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Job description
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a current vacancy for a PhD candidate with research in value delivery analysis of large projects. The research is related to the research program Bedre megaprosjekter (Better Large Projects). The research group works closely with the Norwegian Project Center, an integrated research network in the field of project management. In recent years, the construction industry has increasingly emphasized achieving optimal value by balancing design, construction and operational costs with environmental impact, aesthetics and functionality. Making informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle is critical, but gaps still exist, especially in the early and front-end phases. Identified Gaps: Current practices in megaproject planning and execution tend to suffer from a number of shortcomings: Lack of Quantified Value Drivers: There is no comprehensive framework for identifying and quantifying the key factors that affect a building’s current and long-term performance, and how these factors are evaluated by stakeholders (value drivers). Insufficient early analysis: Decisions made in the early design stages rarely benefit from detailed, data-driven assessments that consider trade-offs such as cost vs. environmental performance or aesthetics vs. functionality. Fragmented digital approaches: Existing digital tools tend to target specific aspects of project evaluation, but lack integration, making it difficult to automatically generate, evaluate and optimize a holistic assessment of design solutions. Manual and time-consuming processes: traditional building value assessment methods are labor-intensive and rely on expert judgment rather than automated, objective simulations and calculations. Insufficient use of advanced technology: There is a huge opportunity to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics to support rapid, automated decision making, a need that is currently unmet in the industry. Are you motivated to take the step towards a PhD and open up exciting career opportunities? As our Ph.D. candidate, you will work towards a doctoral degree while gaining valuable experience that will qualify you to further your career in higher education and research both inside and outside of academia. Your direct supervisor will be a professor. The main goal of this PhD program is to develop a comprehensive knowledge base and methodological framework that will form the basis for the future creation of automated digital tools for architectural design. These tools will be able to automatically generate, evaluate and optimize designs for maximum value. To do this, candidates will identify and quantify the key value drivers that influence design decisions, determine what information is needed to optimize building designs based on these drivers, determine what assessments, simulations, or calculations need to be performed and how to perform them effectively, and identify the models and data needed to support these processes. This work builds on previous research at NCSU, including contributions from Drevland (2019), and aims to develop the knowledge necessary to link theoretical insights with practical applications. Ultimately, this research will enable decision makers to predict and improve the value delivery of complex building projects prior to construction.
offer requirements
Completion of doctoral studies up to the PhD degree, high-quality research within the framework described above, academic publications and popularization of science, participation in the Byggeprosess research group (project management), participation in international events such as conferences and/or research visits at educational institutions abroad, partnership with Bedre megaprosjekter Active cooperation and preparation for changes in job responsibilities after employment. You must have a strong academic background in project management and a master’s degree in project management or equivalent. Your course of study must be compatible with a five-year program in Norway, and you must have earned 120 credits at the master’s level. Master’s students may also apply, but they must have earned a Master’s degree and produce supporting documentation prior to taking up employment. You must have a good academic background from your previous studies and a grade point average of B or better in the Norwegian State Teachers’ University grading scale for the Master’s degree or equivalent. If you do not have letter grades in your previous studies, you must have an equally good academic background. If your academic background is weak, you may be considered for admission if you can demonstrate that you are particularly suited to doctoral education. You must meet the requirements for admission to the College’s doctoral programs. Good oral and written English. If you are unable to demonstrate A2 level proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at the time of employment, you must have completed at least 15 credits of Norwegian language courses by the end of your employment period. The Norwegian National University of Technology will facilitate this. In accordance with the new Act and related regulations issued on 1 August 2024 relating to universities and university colleges, the Norwegian State Pedagogical University has chosen, for a transitional period (recruitment decisions before 1 August 2025), to use the provisions of the old regulation No. 102 of 31 January 2006 concerning the conditions of employment for the positions of post-doctoral researcher, researcher, scientific assistant and expert candidate. Industry experience: practical experience in a project-oriented or large-scale project environment, Domain knowledge: familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of delivering best value in the construction industry, Interdisciplinary insight: ability to integrate technical, financial, and environmental considerations, Proficiency in information technology and artificial intelligence: extensive experience with digital tools, data analytics, and artificial intelligence methods supporting automated assessment and simulation, Relevant knowledge: Solid understanding of engineering principles, project management, construction economics and value delivery concepts, good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or other Scandinavian languages. To complete your doctoral degree (PhD), you must be able to: work independently, work in a structured manner, set goals and develop a plan to achieve them, present and discuss your research with other professionals, participate and give constructive feedback, work constructively under pressure or adversity, show curiosity and a strong intellectual curiosity about the subject matter, analyze data, evaluate different points of view and draw reasoned conclusions, and be flexible and open to adjusting project plans as needed. Focus on personal qualities.
offer benefits
We offer an exciting job with an important social mission, working in a strong international professional environment, an open and inclusive work environment, working with committed colleagues, career guidance and follow up during your PhD, a mentorship program as a new employee at NTNU, training during working hours, participation in company sports at NTNU, as a civil servant. You are entitled to favorable benefits from the Norwegian Civil Servants’ Pension Fund (SPK). You will be employed as a PhD student at the Norwegian National Teacher Training University (NNTU) with employee benefits and discounts. Diversity is a strength, and at NLM we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity of our society and utilizes the potential of people’s collective skills to the fullest. Our vision is that knowledge makes the world a better place and our values are innovative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an equal, diverse and gender-balanced organization is essential to achieving our goals. We strive to attract employees with diverse skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to better addressing our social mission in research and education. If you find this position relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of your gender, work ability and cultural background, and whether you have been unemployed for some time. At the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), we want to increase the proportion of women in research positions. We have many measures to promote equality.
To apply for this job please visit ntnu.no.