About this role
This is NTNU 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. Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the position Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities in an interdisciplinary project between environmental psychology and artificial intelligence (AI)? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. You will work from a psychological perspective with cutting-edge AI solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of households. Your immediate leader will be the Deputy Head of Research. About the project The PhD position builds on previous work of researchers from the group “Citizens, Environment and Saftey”. In the EU project ENCHANT, we collected electricity use data of 2400 European households for five weeks and provided psychologically informed interventions to reduce energy consumption through a web-based app. Using machine learning, we then collaborated with a software company and trained an algorithm that can suggest the combination of interventions to households that are expected to result in the best electricity savings, given the socio-psychological profile of the households. The targeted algorithm-suggested interventions were (based on the data from the project) about 50 % more successful in energy saving than the best possible general intervention strategy. In this PhD project, we want to take the next step in this development and use generative AI to tailor the intervention messages and visuals dynamically to user preferences to increase the effect even more and integrate these solutions with smart steering and measurements in pilot households. The task of the PhD will be to work in an interdisciplinary team between psychology and AI experts to help train the tailoring engine, feed it with scientifically solid input and define the boundaries of the space it can operate in. When the prototype is developed, the second part of the PhD will be to test it on households and assess its appeal and effect both qualitatively and quantitatively. Duties of the position Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above in an interdisciplinary project with a solid base in psychology Academic publications and popular science dissemination Participate in the research group Citizens, Environment, and Safety Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria You must have a relevant Master's degree in Psychology or equivalent. Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where normally 120 ECTS credits have been obtained at master's level included a master’s thesis or equivalent work with a scope of at least 30 ECTS credits. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position, and no later than 31.08.2026. You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered 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 Programme Solid methodological background in both qualitative and quantitative research Interest and ability to collaborate with computer science and cybernetics Good oral and written presentation skills in English The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteria A solid background in environmental psychology, behaviour change theory, intervention design or similar Experience with generative AI Experience with empirical field work Experience with interdisciplinary teamwork Scandinavian language abilities Personal characteristics To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: Work independently Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them Present and discuss your research with other professionals also from other disciplines Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject and the perspectives of other disciplines on this subject Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We offer Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position. 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 Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2) 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 bet