PhD Candidate in vocational education and training (VET)

31st August 2025
Languages
English

• English

English

The Department of Teacher Education has a vacancy for a

PhD Candidate in vocational education and training (VET)
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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the position

We are seeking a PhD candidate for a three-year, full-time position affiliated with the International Vocational Education and Training Research Group at the Department of Teacher Education, NTNU. The position is part of a strategic research initiative focusing on vocational education and training (VET) in relation to national and international policy, social inequality, and global trends in education.

The position is for a period of three years. The candidate will undertake a doctoral education with the aim of completing a PhD.

The workplace will be at NTNU in Trondheim, and the candidate’s leader is the Head of Section Vocational Studies, School Development and Educational Leadership.

About the project

In collaboration with the research group, the candidate will conduct a project within one of our three thematic areas of interest and expertise:

a) Vocational education and social inequality is a theme that focuses on understanding how VET can either perpetuate or mitigate social inequalities. The research should investigate mechanisms through which vocational education impacts social mobility, access to education, and/or equitable outcomes for diverse populations.

b) International vocational educational policy is an area for comparative analyses of VET policies across different countries to understand the global landscape of vocational education. The project should explore how international trends and policies influence national VET systems, with a particular interest in policy transfer, adaptation, and innovation.

c) Higher vocational education entails investigations of how VET connects to higher education in meeting the needs of the modern workforce. Research in this area will examine program development, partnerships between educational institutions and other stakeholders, and the impact of higher VET on career pathways and lifelong learning.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in vocational education and training, educational science or another relevant field.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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 faculty's doctoral program in Educational Sciences.
• Candidates who are in the final stages of their master’s degree may apply and will be considered but cannot be appointed until the degree has been completed.
• The quality and relevance of the project proposal will be an important part of the overall assessment of candidates.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with or interest in research on vocational education and training (VET).
• Solid methodological skills and experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, as well as good communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience with or interest in comparative studies and/or international collaboration.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and (preferably) Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
• Publication experience and/or demonstrated potential for producing high-quality research within relevant subject areas.
• Interest in and/or experience with disseminating research results to a wider audience, including academic and policy actors, as well as the public (the university’s “third mission”).
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive research activities forward
• Strong collaboration skills and willingness to contribute to an international research environment
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic setting

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• As a public employer, you have favorable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits .

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world  and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years. If career promotion work will be added the employment period will be extended accordingly.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in education within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis. The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The application and the description of the academic works to be considered in the evaluation must be submitted in either English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish).

Publications and other academic work that you wish to be considered in the evaluation must be attached to the application. Please note that applications will be assessed based solely on the information available by the application deadline. Therefore, it is important that your application clearly demonstrates how your qualifications and experience meet the criteria outlined above.

The application must include:

• A CV and certificates
• Diplomas and transcripts for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, you must provide confirmation that your master’s thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted the thesis, a draft may be attached. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before the appointment can be finalized.
• A project proposal including a research plan
• Publications or other relevant academic work
• Names and contact information for three referees

The project proposal or research plan (approximately five pages) must relate clearly to one of the three thematic areas described in the call. It should include:

• a working title
• a brief description of the research topic and objectives
• relevant theoretical and empirical background
• key research questions
• the proposed methodological approach
• and a tentative timeline

The proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to develop an independent research project that is feasible within the scope of a PhD programme and relevant to the research group’s focus.

If your education has been completed outside of Norway, you must also include documentation of the scope and quality of your entire academic training, including both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and any additional higher education (for example, a Diploma Supplement). A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a recognition statement from (e.g., NOKUT or a similar body ), please include it as well.

Co-authored work will be taken into account. If it is difficult to identify your individual contribution in co-authored publications, you must provide a brief statement outlining your role in the work. NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

1. the quality and potential of the project proposal,

2. the quality and relevance of the academic output, and

3. the potential contribution to the project, research group, and department.

In the assessment of the most qualified candidate, emphasis will be placed on academic background, relevant experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation for the position, research ambitions, and potential will also be considered.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

Questions concerning the position and application process can be sent to associate professor Eli Smeplass eli.smeplass@ntnu.no . 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Terese Brå terese.bra@ntnu.no . 

Application deadline: 31.08.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality. 

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NTNU - knowledge for a better world
NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
Department of Teacher Education
The Department of Teacher Education offers a full range of study programmes for primary and secondary education in Norway.
Our department supports several active research and development projects in learning, teaching, and school leadership and management, as well as artistic work. The Department of Teacher Education is part of the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at NTNU. We offer an open and inclusive work environment.  
Questions about the position

Eli Smeplass

Associate Professor

eli.smeplass@ntnu.no

Terese Brå

HR

terese.bra@ntnu.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

31st August 2025

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Sverres gate 12, 7012 Trondheim

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