We are searching for a talented social science candidate to join our Innovation and Sustainability research group as a PhD candidate.
The group is a part of the Department of Technology Management at SINTEF Digital. The group has a broad portfolio of research activities on environmental innovation, industrial transformation, and societal transitions.
Sustainability transitions is one of our core strategic areas where we hold a leading position both nationally and internationally. The PhD position is part of the research project “Carbon Capture and Storage in Waste-to-Energy” (CaptureY) which will be initiated in January 2026. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway.
The project will investigate the implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in waste-to-energy (WtE) plants in Norway and Northern Europe. WtE is a key candidate for CCS due to its potential for negative emissions and lack of alternative mitigation options. The project will combine socio-technical and techno-economic approaches to explore infrastructure development, policy frameworks, business models, and public legitimacy. The PhD candidate will primarily contribute to the socio-technical parts of the project. Key project activities for the PhD candidate will include case studies of CCS in WtE in Norway and the Nordics and international comparative policy analysis. The PhD candidate will generate new knowledge in collaboration with industry partners, environmental NGOs, and stakeholders across the waste and recycling sectors.
About the research environment The Department of Technology Management hosts SINTEF’s largest group of social scientists, with approx. 55 employees across four research groups. The Innovation and Sustainability research group has an interdisciplinary orientation and consists of 15 researchers, including a team of 6–7 experts in socio-technical and sustainability transition research. Our research focuses on innovation processes in industry, innovation systems, regional development, and sustainable transformation. Key areas include energy transitions, circular economy, transition governance, and the development of new value chains. We work across sectors such as energy, maritime transport, aquaculture, water and wastewater, and manufacturing, often in close collaboration with technology experts in national and international projects.
Responsibilities
- Conduct independent research within the scope of the CaptureY project.
- Analyse company-level and plant-level strategies for CCS in WtE.
- Investigate regulatory frameworks, infrastructure challenges, and stakeholder perspectives.
- Collaborate with project partners and contribute to stakeholder engagement activities.
- Disseminate research results in peer-reviewed publications and at international conferences.
Qualifications To qualify for the position, candidates must:
- Hold a master’s degree in relevant social sciences (e.g. innovation studies, economic geography, science and technology studies, political science, or similar), with an average grade of minimum B in accordance with the Norwegian education system.
- The master’s degree must include a master thesis of minimum 30 ECTS.
- Demonstrate strong analytical skills and academic performance
- Demonstrate proficiency in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
- Demonstrate fluency in English, both written and orally.
- Fluency in Norwegian (alternatively, Swedish or Danish) is an advantage, both written and orally.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Familiarity with the field of sustainability transitions will be considered beneficial, as will prior experience from R&D projects.
About the PhD position The candidate will be employed at SINTEF Digital, Department of Technology Management, and will be enrolled in a relevant PhD programme at a social science or humanities department either at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) or the University of Oslo (UiO). The position is organised as a 100% PhD scholarship.
In addition, the position may open up for cooperation with and involvement in other SINTEF projects within the research group. The research group is currently involved in several multi-year research projects and centres focused on sustainability transitions, environmental innovation, policy analysis, and regional and industrial transformation and development.
The position is temporary, with a duration of three years from January (or March at the latest) 2026. The main supervisor will be at the University Department at which the candidate is enrolled. Markus Steen and Bård Torvetjønn Haugland at SINTEF will act as co-supervisors.
We offer
- A temporary, fully funded 3-year PhD position.
- A dynamic and supportive research environment with strong academic and industry collaboration.
- Opportunities for international networking, mobility, and conference participation.
- Supervision from experienced researchers in sustainability transitions and CCS.
- The opportunity to combine PhD work with relevant project activities in SINTEF.
- Good future career opportunities in SINTEF
- Competitive terms and benefits.
The research group is based in Trondheim, with an office also in Oslo. For this position, our preference is for the candidate to work at the Trondheim office. The position requires some travel, both nationally and internationally, to engage with research partners and stakeholders. Working languages are Norwegian (or Nordic language) and English.
