PhD position in System Dynamics, Department of Geography University of Bergen in Norway

PhD position in System Dynamics at the University of Bergen

The Department of Geography at the University of Bergen (UiB) is recruiting a PhD research fellow for a 3-year fixed-term position within the EU Horizon Europe project INTEGRATOR (Integrated Innovation Ecosystems for Transformative Nexus Governance towards Enhanced Water Resilience). The position is based in Bergen and requires daily physical presence at the Department of Geography.

The project addresses climate-resilient and fair water management through anticipatory, evidence-based decision making at river-basin scale. The successful candidate will work in the System Dynamics Group, contributing to research on sustainability transitions, natural resources management, the water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) nexus, and model-based learning and communication.

Research tasks focus on participatory system dynamics modelling and computer simulations, supporting two major work packages. WP3 centers on participatory co-design, stakeholder mapping, problem co-definition, scenario analysis, policy exploration, and the Decision Theatre Approach. WP6 concerns the Digital Water Intelligence System, integrated hydrological and system dynamics modeling, site-specific digital twin development, and the HydroFellow prompt compiler. The PhD researcher will contribute to the Ergene River Basin in Türkiye and the Jucar River Basin–Albufera system in Spain, both facing complex challenges related to water quantity, water quality, land use, agriculture, urban development, and ecological resilience.

Applicants should hold a completed master’s degree in System Dynamics or a closely related field with a strong modeling and simulation focus. A grade B or better is generally expected for both the master’s thesis and the degree overall. The post is well suited to candidates with strong quantitative and computational skills, an interest in socio-economic-hydrological scenario building, and experience or interest in participatory model-building and interdisciplinary work. Strong English is required, while Spanish and/or Turkish would be an advantage. Experience in teaching assistance in System Dynamics and collaborative work in multidisciplinary teams will strengthen the application.

The PhD training takes place in the Faculty of Social Sciences at UiB. Admission normally requires a master’s degree equivalent to 120 ECTS on top of a 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree, or an integrated 300 ECTS master’s degree, with at least 30 ECTS of independent work. The topic of the master’s degree should be connected to the field of the PhD.

The position offers a salary as PhD (code 1017) of NOK 593,700 per year, with automatic salary increases over the 3-year period and membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The application deadline is 1 November 2026.

Applications must be submitted via Jobbnorge and include a cover letter, project proposal of maximum 2500 words, CV, transcripts and diplomas, relevant certificates/references, a list of publications, and any publications to be assessed, including the master’s thesis. Applications without a project proposal or applications sent by email will not be considered.

For further information, the position contact is Professor Ali K. Saysel ([email protected]). Programme questions may be directed to Adviser Elina Troscenko ([email protected]), and practical application questions to the HR section ([email protected]).