PhD Fellowship position in Cargo Bike Urbanism

Department of Built Environment is recruiting a candidate for a PhD Fellowship position in in Cargo Bike Urbanism as part of the "Car-goNE-City" project. This project, funded by the Driving Urban Transitions programme of JPI Urban Europe, aims to explore the potential of shared cargo bike mobility in transforming urban landscapes towards sustainable, 15-minute cities. The selected candidate will be affiliated with the TransFrUrban (Transport, Infrastructure, and Urban Development) research group. You can find more information about the research group's focus and activities here.

Area of research

The position is associated with the project, “Car-goNE-City” a project funded by the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) – Sustainable future for cities programme of JPI Urban Europe. Car-goNE-City is an applied research project that investigates the potential of shared cargo bike mobility to achieve 15-minute cities, lower transportation costs, and reduce private car use. The goals of the project include (1) studying the role of shared mobility in 15-minute cities; (2) understanding the potential for shared cargo bike mobility to reduce car use and support multi-modal transport systems; and (3) engaging residents in participatory design of shared mobility using digital participation methods, gamification, pilot projects, and living labs in six European cities.

Cities involved include Gothenburg, Mölndal, Trollhӓttan (Sweden), Olso (Norway), Karlsruhe and Konstanz (Germany), and Budapest (Hungary). This project will generate transition pathways for small, medium and large European cities to reduce car-dependence and provide policy recommendations on the effective uses of shared cargo bike mobility to achieve sustainable mobility objectives.

The PhD position in Cargo Bike Urbanism will focus on some of the main tasks of the project, working directly with project partners with guidance and advising from the PhD supervisor at OsloMet. The candidate´s research project will intersect with some of the topics, data, and/or methods of the Car-goNe-City project.

The fellowship duration is set for three years. The academic work is expected to culminate in the completion and defence of a doctoral thesis at the Faculty, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The start date of the position is Fall, 2024.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master´s degree in Urban planning, transportation planning, behavioral science, or sustainability. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS).
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:

• Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
• Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
• Minimum average grade C on the subjects included in the bachelor's degree. If you have an integrated master's degree, the grades from the first three standard years of the degree will be assessed.

Admission to the doctoral program in Engineering Science at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research and possible teaching within the field.

General criteria for employment in academic positions are covered by the Regulations on employment conditions for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate.

The following will be considered an advantage

• Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles
• Knowledge of urban planning, transportation, and other topics relevant to cargo bicycles and 15-minute cities
• Knowledge of participatory research using digital participation methods, gamification, pilot projects, and living labs

Personal suitability will be emphasised.

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• A stimulating interdisciplinary research environment, and participation in an active, international research group working at the nexus of sustainable urban futures.
• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university.
• Work location in vibrant downtown Oslo.
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no/en/)
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway (oslomet.no/en/work)

The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 532 200 per year.

Expert evaluation

As an applicant, you will be assessed by an expert committee. In the application, you must upload the following documents:

• Application letter describing your motivation and how your professional profile is relevant for this position.
• Project proposal. The proposal should include: Research questions, Literature review and problem description, Methodology, a schedule for the educational and research plan. The project proposal should not exceed 2 pages (excluding references).
• CV and copies of certificates/diplomas. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document with a stamp from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
• Master's thesis and any other scientific work that you wish to be assessed by an expert committee, as well as a list of your own publications.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
• Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must be able to present the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA.
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
• The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  • • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
    • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted)

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of Department Yonas Zewdu Ayele, +47 40 98 39 85, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Associate Professor, Daniel Piatkowski, +47 67 23 58 68, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Professor John Osth, +47 47 6728519, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you have administrative questions about the position, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications: January 31th 2024

Ref.: 23/07709

CLICK HERE TO APPLY