PhD position in Institutional Planning Theory

About the position

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (BYREG), Faculty of Landscape and Society (LANDSAM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offering a PhD position related to Planning Theory, starting on 1 September 2025. The PhD position period is 3 years.

The planning community has extensively discussed the importance of promoting compact development, efficient land use, and environmental conservation. These objectives are often not fully realised, leading to spatial issues such as urban sprawl, inefficient land use, and environmental degradation. 

This PhD position presents an exciting opportunity to sharpen the understanding of the gap between the ambitious goals of planning and implementation of sustainable urban development. Responding to this theme, applicants are invited to provide a research proposal (2 - 4 pages). Proposed research should aim to theorize and study the underlying mechanisms and institutional factors that influence the success or failure of planning in achieving its goals. It should do this by situating the case of Norway within the larger Nordic and European contexts. The proposed projects should also aim to propose more effective strategies for sustainable urban development, ultimately bridging the divide between planning theory and practice.

Proposed PhD research should furthermore aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how, and the extent to which, institutional frameworks shape planning performance and sustainable urban development outcomes. This will involve the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach and the incorporation of methods and theory from various disciplines, such as planning, policy science, and legal science. 

You will join the research efforts at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at NMBU and contribute to its development. As a candidate in the PhD Programme Society, Development and Planning, you will work towards your doctoral thesis and earn your PhD upon successful defence of your thesis.

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. 

Main tasks

The PhD candidate’s tasks will include:

• developing the research project, including the precise formulation of the problem statement.
• conducting a comprehensive literature review.
• designing the research methodology.
• performing empirical analysis.
• publishing research articles (in acknowledged peer-reviewed journals) and develop the research framework document (kappa).
• presenting research findings at academic conferences, as well as in workshops that address planning professionals.

It is expected that the appointed candidate will be admitted to the PhD programme in Society, Development and Planning. The PhD programme includes a requirement of at least 30 course credits including mandatory and elective courses.

The successful candidate is expected to submit a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the early months of the appointment, and with a view to completing a doctorate within the period of the position. 

Competence:

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. Documentation fulfilling admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment. For more detailed information on the admission criteria, please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

Required academic qualifications:

• Master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in planning or a closely related field.
• Strong academic background (GPA B or above).
• Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD programme.
• Strong knowledge of planning systems.

The following experiences and skills will be emphasised:

• Experience with quantitative or mixed-methods approaches is an advantage.
• Experience and motivation to work interdisciplinary.
• Strong knowledge of Planning Theory, in particular institutional theories.
• Strong research skills, especially in qualitative methods. 
• Research-orientated master's thesis on a topic related to the described area of study.
• Experience with publishing in scientific journals is considered an advantage.

Personal characteristics important for the positions are:

• Ability to work independently and motivated to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills (English required; Good knowledge of a Scandinavian language is considered an advantage).
• Excellent social and collaborative skills. 
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to research challenges.
• Motivation to take responsibility to manage a research project.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD Fellow, normally NOK 536200 upon employment. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For questions about the PhD education and program, please contact landsam-phd@nmbu.no.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Andreas Hengstermann, Associate Professor.

E-mail: andreas.hengstermann@nmbu.no (do not use this e-mail for application, it is only for questions)

Information for PhD applicants and general information to applicants

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 09.04.2025

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page).
• Complete CV.
• A short research proposal (2 to 4 pages), outlining the intended research focus and methodology.
• A sample of written work (e.g., a research paper or a chapter from the master´s thesis).
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation.
• Names and contact details for two references.
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About the Faculty of Landscape and Society

The Faculty of Landscape and Society is home to some of Norway's foremost academic environments within international environment and development studies, public health science, landscape architecture, landscape engineering, urban and regional planning, property development and property law. The Faculty has 1300 students and 180 employees divided into five departments and a Faculty administration. It offers popular, forward-focused Bachelor, Master’s and PhD programmes. The Faculty is interdisciplinary and works with sustainable social development, both nationally and internationally.

NMBU

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU will contribute to securing the future of life through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation. We have the country's most satisfied university students, who receive research-based education in a unique student environment. Our graduates gain a high level of competence in interdisciplinary collaboration and are popular in the labor market.

NMBU has internationally leading research environments in several subjects. Together with our partners in society and business, we contribute to solving some of the biggest societal challenges of our time. We focus on innovation, communication and entrepreneurship because we believe these challenges are best solved with joint efforts. We believe that a good working environment is characterized by diversity.If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no/en

Questions about the position

Dr. Andreas Hengstermann

Associate Professor

andreas.hengstermann@nmbu.no