PhD Candidate in International Business

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Ålesund; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

Free Norwegian language training (A2)

Open and inclusive working environment

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a PhD Candidate position at the Ålesund Campus, School of International Business. The project examines leadership, culture, and technology-driven distributed work, with a focus on cross-cultural management and governance in maritime contexts.

The successful candidate develops the theoretical framework, research questions, and methodology while pursuing a doctoral degree, within NTNU's economics and management faculty. Fluency in English and Norwegian is valued.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in international business/management or a related field.
• Strong academic record with average grade equal to or better than NTNU’s grading scale B.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English and/or Norwegian.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish academic work and disseminate findings.
• Participate in the research group on international business and innovation.
• Engage in international activities such as conferences and research stays.

Skills

Academic excellence

English proficiency

Oral communication

Motivation for PhD

Education

Master's degree in international business/management or equivalent

Job description

About The Position

The position is at NTNU in Ålesund at the School of International Business. We are looking for candidates with an educational background in international business or international management. However, other business and management degrees, including technology management, innovation management, organizational leadership and behavior, or human resource management, will also be considered.

About The Project

Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and remote operations are transforming not only where people work, but also how work is organized. As technologies redistribute tasks, expertise, decision‑making authority, and responsibility across people and locations, they can reconfigure established roles, relationships, and ways of working. These changes raise important leadership questions: How do leaders help employees navigate changing roles and responsibilities? How are trust, shared understanding, and coordination maintained when work becomes increasingly technology‑mediated and geographically distributed? And how do leadership practices emerge as established authority structures are reshaped by technology?

These leadership challenges can become particularly pronounced in culturally diverse teams, where members may differ in their expectations regarding leadership, authority, autonomy, participation, communication, and responsibility. Such differences may reflect both the cultural composition of the team and the cultural values and orientations of individual members. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate how leadership and culture jointly shape responses to technology‑driven changes in distributed work, with particular attention to how leaders navigate culturally diverse expectations as new ways of working emerge, and how these processes influence trust, role clarity, and coordination.

The PhD project seeks to advance research on leadership, cross‑cultural management, and technology‑driven organizational change, potentially using remote maritime operations as a relevant empirical context in which geographically dispersed and culturally diverse actors must navigate shifting roles and authority while coordinating effectively in a safety‑critical environment.

The successful candidate will have scope to develop the theoretical framework, research questions, and methodological design within the project’s overall direction.

About The Proposal

The PhD candidate should develop and submit a proposal within the scope of the topic, and, if selected as the preferred candidate, conduct research on the topic. Preferably, the PhD candidate’s research should focus on industries relevant to the Møre and Romsdal county, such as the marine and maritime industries.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group on international business and innovation.
• 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 an academically relevant background, preferably within international business or international management. However, other business and management degrees including technology management, management of innovation, organizational leadership and behavior, or human resource management may also apply.
• You must have a master’s degree in international business, international management, business administration, or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course in which 120 credits have been obtained at the master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master’s degree studies, 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 academic background, you may still be considered if you can demonstrate that you are particularly well‑suited for a PhD program.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty of economics and management doctoral programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/ok/research/phd)
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English and/or Norwegian.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Good knowledge of industries represented in the region, such as the marine, maritime and furniture industry, both local and global.
• Have strong motivation for advanced research work demonstrated by a motivation letter and a proposal within the scope of the project description above.
• Good demonstrated theoretical and analytical skills.
• Contribute to a positive work environment in general is emphasized.

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
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well‑funded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• 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 better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender‑balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

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.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable)

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- 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 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme 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 organisational 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 be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Application deadline: 25.10.2026

Ålesund

Ålesund, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top‑notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.

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.

NTNU School of International Business

The School of International Business is one of four departments in the Faculty of Economics and Management. Our department is located at the Ålesund Campus with core expertise in international business, marketing, innovation, organization & leadership, and entrepreneurship, which play a key role and are closely linked to the region’s needs. We also conduct research and teaching in other areas of business administration and management and maintain close relationships with local businesses and industry.