PhD position in System Dynamics at the Department of Geography

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.

There is a vacancy for a PhD position in System Dynamics at the Department of Geography. The position is within the project SPARK4B+ for a fixed-term period of 3 years. Starting date is latest 1 February 2027.

System Dynamics Group at the Department of Geography

The System Dynamics group carries out research in several areas. The most important areas are: sustainability transitions, natural resources management, and model-based learning and communication. The group makes use of a variety of tools and techniques: stakeholder mapping, governance analysis, participatory modeling, causal feedback modeling, computer simulation, non-linear model analysis, interactive learning environments and decision-laboratory experiments.

Description of the SPARK4B+ project

The position is within the EU Horizon Europe project ‘Strengthening Pathways and Action for Biodiversity-Positive and Just Futures (SPARK4B+)’. SPARK4B+ objectives include: (1) Mapping and assessing alternative socio-economic paradigms relevant for biodiversity, climate and justice; (2) Advancing future visioning methodologies by integration of qualitative scenarios, qualitative system models, and transformation theories; (3) Developing and refining quantitative models and user friendly tools that integrate biodiversity, climate and socio-economic drivers; (4) Co-creating alternative scenarios and pathways with stakeholders through ‘Transformation Labs’ (T-Labs); and (5) Testing the feasibility, effectiveness and scalability of strategies that operationalize alternative socio-economic paradigms in practice through ‘Demonstration Intervention Cases’ (DICs).

SPARK4B+ is built on six case studies in Germany, Spain, UK, Colombia, Sweden and Hungary with various biodiversity and social equity challenges in forestry, agriculture and urban development related to different terrestrial landscapes such as wetlands, riparian buffer zones, mixed forest stands and tropical ecosystems. SPARK4B+’s T-Labs and DICs will be founded and embedded in these case studies to co-create and test the feasibility of the future pathways and to generate actionable knowledge.

Responsibilities following the position:

The research fellow will use scenario methodologies, participatory system dynamics modelling and computer simulation to support SPARK4B+ in all work packages (abbreviated as WP), with a concentrated focus on particular WPs. For example, WP2 (Making alternative futures tangible: qualitative methodologies for seeing, sensing, and acting on pro-biodiversity and just scenarios) will explore how scenario approaches (visioning, pathways, scenario narratives) can be bridged to system mapping tools and methods. It will also synthesize the assessed methodologies into practical frameworks to be used and refined by the T-Labs and DICs. WP3 (Making alternative futures tangible: quantitative methodologies for seeing pro-biodiversity and just scenarios) will explore and enhance the existing quantitative models, also to include socio-ecological feedback and transformative behavior change. WP4 (Co-creating alternative scenarios and pathways in T- Labs) and WP5 (Amplifying DICs to achieve socially just and biodiversity-based transformation) will create the practical grounds for co-creating, refining and testing the tools developed in WP2 and WP3 under T-Labs and DICs, each of them specific to SPARK4B+ case studies.

The work of the research fellow mainly consists of the designing of the qualitative tools and methods in WP2 and the socio-ecological feedback-rich simulation models in WP3. The Fellow will bridge the qualitative knowledge created in WP2 to the quantitative tools in WP3. During the development and testing of these tools, stakeholder interviews, participatory workshops and stakeholder deliberation in T-Labs of WP4 and DICs of WP5 will play a critical role. The research fellow will be acquainted with all the SPARK4B+ case studies, however they are not going to focus on all of them and not on all quantitative models so that they will have the opportunity for deeper exploration of empirically grounded, and theoretically strong knowledge.

• The applicant must hold a master’s degree in System Dynamics or another discipline with a strong systems focus. The master’s degree must have been completed by the application deadline
• The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the Master degree in total
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in socio-economic scenario building; experience in participatory model-building is desirable
• Applicants must have strong quantitative and computational foundations
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English
• Teaching assistance experience in the field of System Dynamics will be considered an advantage
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner
• Applicants should have experience of working as a member of a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team, and demonstrate good collaborative skills
• Experience in interdisciplinary working, linking social/economic and environmental sciences, is desirable
• Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates
• The place of work for this position is Bergen, and the work requires that you are physically present at the Department of Geography on a daily basis

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

About the PhD position:

The duration of the PhD position is 3 years.

About the PhD training:

As a PhD research fellow, you will take part in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiB. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the PhD degree. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission.

• Salary as PhD (code 1017) NOK 593 700, - per year. Automatic salary increases for up to 4 years with a 3% annual increase
• A good and professionally challenging working environment
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

A research proposal of maximum 2500 words (excluding reference list) must accompany the application. The project description should present the topic, the research questions(s) and choice of theory and methods. It should also include a progress plan for the different parts of the project. The research proposal must also include a short description of how the applicant envisions a fit with the SPARK4B+ project. Admittance to the PhD programme will be based on the research proposal. The faculty has prepared a guide for writing project descriptions.

• A cover letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of them must be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• Project proposal
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees.
• Relevant certificates/references
• A list of academic publications
• Academic publications that you want to submit for assessment (including your master’s thesis or equivalent)
• If you have a master's degree from an institution outside of the Nordic countries, or a 2-year discipline- based master's degree (or the equivalent) in a subject area other than the one associated with the application, you may later in the application process be asked to submit an overview of the syllabus for the degree you have completed

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge following the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”.

Closing date: August 15, 2026.

Applications submitted without a project proposal or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.

Additional information about the position is obtainable by contacting Professor Ali K. Saysel, ali.saysel@uib.no.

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to Adviser – HR Gudrun Horvei, gudrun.horvei@uib.no

Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Questions about the programme may be directed to Adviser Elina Troscenko, elina.troscenko@uib.no

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

Om arbeidsgiveren:

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are seven departments at Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.