PhD Candidate in Creating Inclusive Climate Risk Scenarios in Urban Planning using AI

Ntnu; Trondheim; Hybrid; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded 4-year PhD

International research environment

Collaboration with NTNU centers and NG

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in the Department of Architecture and Planning, Trondheim. The candidate will explore how AI-driven methods shape urban planning and society, focusing on intersectional vulnerability and climate risk, in collaboration with IE and external partners.

The role anchors within the CREST-GLOBAL team, with supervision from a panel of NTNU professors and interaction with the Software Engineering group, offering an international research

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in urban planning or architecture, or related field with five-year Norwegian Master equivalent.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Experience with spatial data analysis and integrating datasets for urban analytics.
• Familiarity with AI-based modelling or urban applications.
• Knowledge of GDPR and EU AI Act principles.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Complete doctoral education leading to a PhD degree.
• Identify case studies where risk and vulnerability intersect and collect relevant data.
• Co-create vulnerability narratives through participatory research methods.
• Apply spatial modelling tools (GIS) and AI-based techniques to map risk and vulnerability.
• Analyze AI-generated scenarios and compare with state-of-the-art urban planning tools.
• Develop methodological recommendations for societal readiness of technology in urban planning.
• Publish academic work and contribute to popular science dissemination.
• Engage in teaching or other duties as agreed with supervisors.
• Contribute to the CREST GLOBAL research group and future applications.

Skills

Spatial data analysis

Interdisciplinary research

English communication

Norwegian communication

Participant engagement

Critical thinking

Education

Master’s degree in urban planning or architecture (Norwegian 5-year masters)

Tools

GIS software

Python/R for data analysis

Job description

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.

About the position

The Department of Architecture and Planning (IAP) at the Faculty of Architecture and Design (AD) has a vacancy for a fully funded 4-year PhD position. This interdisciplinary role is offered in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science (IE) and external partners in Norwegian municipalities. We are seeking a candidate motivated to explore the how emerging technologies – such as machine learning, generative AI, and extended reality (XR) – impact societal preparedness planning required to make plans and policies for global risks of climate change.

You will be part of a vibrant research environment, specifically anchored within the CREST-GLOBAL research team, which focuses on equitable urban transitions and decision-making under uncertainty and in close interaction with the Software Engineering group of the Computer Science Department.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? 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.

Department of Architecture and Planning. The academic supervision team will include Professor Rolee Aranya, Professor Letizia Jaccheri, Associate Professor Mrudhula Koshy and Senior Researcher Ryan Eddings at NTNU The exact composition of the team will be decided on the basis of the proposed research focus of the selected candidate.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The project explores how emerging technologies are reshaping urban planning by positioning humans as critical arbiters of AI-driven methods. A core challenge the project addresses is the integration of "thick description" regarding intersectional vulnerability (race, gender, class) with "big data" related to climate risks. Conventional decision-making often relies on quantitative datasets that can be incomplete; this PhD aims to develop adaptive, flexible methods that account for societal attributes and existing vulnerabilities.

Duties of the position

• Complete doctoral education leading to a PhD degree.
• Identify case studies where risk and vulnerability intersect and collect relevant spatial and non-spatial datasets.
• Co-create vulnerability narratives through participatory research methods and stakeholder engagement.
• Apply spatial modelling tools (e.g., GIS) alongside AI-based techniques to generate risk and vulnerability maps.
• Analyze and validate AI-generated scenarios against current state-of-the-art urban planning tools to identify and mitigate biases.
• Develop methodological recommendations for the societal readiness of technology in urban planning.
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination.
• Undertaken teaching, or other academic duties, as agreed with supervisor and department management.
• Participation in and contribution the development of the research group CREST GLOBAL, including future research applications.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• A relevant Master’s degree in urban planning or architecture. Applications from related fields may be considered.Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian Masters, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level.
• 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.Masters students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Quality and focus of the proposed Project proposal – with particular emphasis on the research questions, theoretical perspectives and gaps, and methodological design.
• Experience with spatial data analysis and integrating qualitative and quantitative datasets using platforms such as GIS and other tools for urban analytics and informatics.
• Familiarity with AI-based modelling or engineering with urban applications.
• Knowledge of social justice theories and frameworks, including intersectionality, in the context of urban environments.
• Understanding of technological constraints and regulations, such as GDPR and the EU AI ACT.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work independently and in a structured, goal-oriented manner.
• Strong motivation for the subject and curiosity regarding interdisciplinary research.
• Capable of analyzing complex data and drawing well-founded conclusions from different perspectives.
• Constructive and collaborative approach to feedback and teamwork in the context of a research group within a multidisciplinary department.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting project with a significant mission for societal preparedness.
• A 4-year fully funded position within a strong, international professional environment.
• Access to the Adaptation Team at the NTNU Societal Security,the Global South Initiative, the Gemini Centre for Global Impact and the NGO AINCLUSION.
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

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.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

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 4 years, which includes 3 years of doctoral work and 1 year of career-promoting work/departmental duties.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Architecture within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out 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 professional 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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

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 have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Rolee Aranya through email ([e-mail]) If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Natalia Swahn, email [e-mail].

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.

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 Architecture and Planning

Our fields of expertise are architecture, urban design, physical and urban ecological planning, Smart Cities as well as real estate development and facilities management. We also work with ambient aesthetics, land use and transport planning, urban renewal, densification and urban redevelopment, as well as urban ecological planning in lower income countries. The Department of Architecture and Planning is one of four departments in the Faculty of Architecture and Design