PhD Research Fellow in Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) has a vacancy for a 4-year position as PhD candidate in Sustainable Mobility.

We seek a highly motivated and talented PhD research fellow to join the Sustainable Mobility Research Group. In this complex world, we need innovative tools and solution to resolve challenges to sustainable mobility. By joining this project, you will have the unique opportunity to actively contribute to shaping the future of mobility. The position is associated with the research project “Justice-oriented Urban Spatial Analysis and Transportation with Modelling" (JUST-Model) financed by HVL.

About the PhD project/ work tasks:

Are you passionate about combining cutting-edge data science and spatial analysis to achieve mobility justice? Join our interdisciplinary team developing innovative spatial analysis tools that bridge transport planning and software engineering for policy makers and communities.
 

As a PhD fellow, you will:

• Lead the development of advanced spatial analytics tools and toolkits combining GIS, Python, R, GeoAI, Machine Learning or Deep Learning to investigate transport justice and mobility inequalities with real use cases. 
• Develop theoretical frameworks of mobility justice principles into computational models operationalising spatial justice principles for transport policy makers.
• Consider factors such as modeling language and systems, fit-for-purpose, data interoperability, FAIR data management principles, and open science considerations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to co-create tools that bridge the gap between transport planning theory and software engineering
• Contribute to research-based education at the department with lectures and student supervision.

Your work will contribute to state-of-the-art research in several EU projects and help local authorities achieve sustainable and inclusive mobility.

The proposed PhD position is a collaborative effort between the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences (IBMN) and the Department of Computer science, Electrical engineering and Mathematical sciences at the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Science. The candidate will be enrolled in the PhD Programme in Responsible Innovation and Regional Development (RESINNREG) at HVL, and will be based at IBMN.

The candidate will have his/her place of work and affiliation with the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Science at Campus Bergen. Preferred starting Date is 1st May 2026.

Research environment
The Sustainable Mobility Research Group is dedicated to researching and developing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility, which encompasses new technologies, policy changes, and behavioural strategies. We collaborate with policymakers, communities, and industry partners to test and refine research findings in real-world settings, aiming to shape sustainable mobility policies and practices. Our team encourages knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration to foster comprehensive approaches to sustainable mobility. We engage with diverse communities and stakeholders, particularly focusing on understanding the mobility needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups such as children, young adults, older adults, women, minorities, and individuals and groups with different abilities. Our work includes key themes and topics such as institutional innovation, land use transport integration, mobility cultures, spatial justice, and urban digital twins, among others.

The PhD programe in Responsible Innovation and Regional Development is an interdisciplinary doctoral programme investigating how innovation can address social, economic, and environmental challenges within regional contexts. 

The program's research is structured around three core pillars:

• Responsible Industry Innovation: Examining how industries can innovate responsibly, balancing economic performance with social and environmental sustainability.
• Public Sector Innovation: Investigating how innovation within public institutions can enhance welfare and address societal challenges effectively.
• Green Innovation: Exploring sustainable practices that promote environmental stewardship alongside economic development.

Applications from all three thematic areas will be considered.

The RESINNREG programme represents a broad understanding of responsible innovation, drawing upon a diverse foundation of literature, such as evolutionary economics, innovation systems, innovation management, institutional theory, sustainable transitions & development, and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). The programme encompasses research that investigates how innovation can meet social, economic and environmental challenges in regional contexts.
The regional dimension is emphasised in RESINNREG, not just at a practical level, but also when it comes to theoretical foundations. Similarly, RESINNREG encourages critical reflections on the normative dimensions of the role of researchers engaged in innovation processes. RESINNREG candidates will learn how to act as change agents in processes of regional development through insight into innovation processes and principles for RRI, reflecting critically on its application to research and practice. Thus, independent of the specific area of specialisation, PhD candidates graduating from the programme will have state-of-the-art research knowledge, skills and competences relating to how to understand and implement innovation processes.
Currently, there are 36 PhD research fellows enrolled in the program.

For more information on the programme and research profile, check our homepage (https://www.hvl.no/en/studies-at-hvl/study-programmes/responsibleinnovation-and-regional-development/): 

Qualifications:

• You must hold a Masters degree in the field of spatial or land use planning, transport planning, geography, spatial economics, computer science or related fields. The master's degree must include a master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS.
• You must have a professionally relevant background in conducting research or working with research projects.
• Advanced knowledge of GIS software and tools, and development of spatial analysis workflows.
• Excellent proficiency in English (written and verbal).
• Willingness to travel to carry out project activities within Norway.

In addition to the required educational background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better on the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), communication skills, research and teaching experience, practical software engineering skills and experience.

The candidate must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance, and is expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in national seminars, international workshops, conferences, and journals.

The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisors at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure.  Normally the candidate apply for enrolment within three (3) months after the start of the employment according to Regulations relating to programmes of study and examniations at Western Norway University of Applied SciencesHVL § 2-4. 

The following qualifications will be given special emphasis:

• Familiarity with modelling languages, GeoAI or machine learning (deep learning) or data science.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience applying these to spatial data problems.
• Quality of the master's thesis (minimum grade B on the Master's thesis, and minimum average grade C on subjects included in the master's degree)
• Background in research related to sustainable mobility, including but not limited to knowledge of new technologies and policies.
• Experience in working with diverse communities and stakeholders and communicating with different types of stakeholders.

Personal characteristics:

• Confidence in working independently and proactively.
• Ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in multicultural teams and environments.

The PhD research fellow must enrol in the RESINNREG PhD programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, and must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into the PhD programme. 25% of the 4-year period will be designated to teaching, supervision of students and similar activities. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor will help with this procedure. The candidate must submit the application for enrolment in a PhD programme within 3 months from the start of the employment.

Applicants who cannot document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, must complete Norwegian language training equivalent to at least 15 ECTS credits by the end of the term of appointment. For terms shorter than four years, the term can be extended accordingly.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job" (“Søk stillingen").

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master Thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 15)
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant's degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd/automatic-recognition-a-quicker-alternative)

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the  application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

The Research Fellow position is compensated according to position code 1017 Research Fellow.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to The Export Control Regulation. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Contacts:

Professor Wendy Guan Zhen Tan

Email: wendy.guan.zhen.tan@hvl.no   

Professor Rogardt Heldal

Email: rogardt.heldal@hvl.no

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration

Homepage (http://www.hvl.no)

With about 17,000 students, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest higher education institutions in Norway. A broad range of academic programmes are offered at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, spread out on five campuses Førde, Sogndal, Bergen, Stord og Haugesund.

Our ambition is to build stronger and more solid academic and research environments that will interact nationally and internationally. The aim is to become a recognized actor on the international higher education arena. Increased international cooperation and engagement in externally funded projects will work towards this goal.

 Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Sciences comprises approximately 5500 students and 500 staff. Our faculty maintains strong ties with the regional workforce. We cultivate and disseminate knowledge within our professional profile areas through close collaboration with business and society. The faculty provides a wide range of bachelor's and master's degrees in humanities, social sciences, and engineering sciences. Additionally, we offer two PhD programs in responsible innovation and regional development, as well as computer technology.

Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences conducts research in various areas such as data-driven energy system analysis, geomatics, land and legal studies, landscape, ecology and climate, landslides, real estate history, spatial planning, sustainable development, energy transition, and sustainable mobility. Predominantly based at the Bergen and Sogndal campuses, we prioritize partnerships with regional businesses, industrial partners, and public sector organizations to generate relevant knowledge and innovations. The department has
successfully secured multiple large scale European and national research grants and actively collaborates with international networks across Europe and beyond. We also promote research-based education and involve our students in cutting-edge knowledge creation.