Up to 7 PhD Research Fellow Positions in Humanities at Norwegian University of Science and Technology

For researchers seeking a funded PhD opportunity in Norway, the Up to 7 PhD Research Fellow Positions in Humanities at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) offer an unusual degree of research freedom. The Faculty of Humanities is inviting applications for up to seven doctoral research fellow positions in Trondheim. Applicants can develop their own research projects while working with an appropriate NTNU research group and supervisor. The application deadline is 1 October 2026.

This opportunity suits candidates in humanities, language, culture, history, arts, and interdisciplinary research. Moreover, the positions combine doctoral study with paid employment. In this guide, we explain the eligibility requirements, research areas, financial support, application process, and practical steps that can strengthen an application.

Overview of the NTNU PhD Research Fellow Positions

The NTNU Faculty of Humanities is offering up to seven PhD research fellow positions through a general call. These are full-time research appointments designed for candidates who want to complete a doctoral degree while developing an independent research project. The employment period is normally three years.

Importantly, this is not a call for one predefined research topic. Instead, applicants must connect their proposed project with a suitable research group at the Faculty of Humanities. The intended main supervisor must also be affiliated with the relevant faculty department and research group.

The four eligible scientific PhD programmes are:

• • Humanities and the Arts

  • Historical and Cultural Studies

  • Language and Linguistics

  • Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture

The 2026 call does not include the PhD programme in artistic research. NTNU indicates that artistic research is handled through a separate call.

Why This Humanities PhD Opportunity Stands Out

Many doctoral vacancies advertise a narrowly defined project. By contrast, this NTNU call gives strong candidates room to shape their own research agenda. That flexibility can be valuable for applicants with a clearly developed academic question that does not fit a conventional project vacancy.

Furthermore, the Faculty of Humanities covers a broad research landscape. Current research groups include areas such as medieval studies, philosophy, musicology, language and linguistics, history, media, museums, cultural studies, ethics, and technology-related humanities research. Some groups also examine AI, digitalisation, sustainability, democracy, and the social effects of technology.

For example, a candidate interested in AI and society might develop a humanities-based project around ethics, media, language, culture, or public life. A historian could instead build a project around one of the faculty’s historical research environments.

The key lesson is simple: fit matters more than novelty alone. A fascinating topic becomes much stronger when it clearly matches an active research group and a potential supervisor.

Eligibility for the NTNU PhD Research Fellow Positions

Applicants need an educational background that meets NTNU’s doctoral admission requirements. The relevant qualification normally involves a Master’s degree equivalent to a five-year Norwegian higher education pathway, including 120 ECTS at Master’s level. NTNU’s PhD admission information also specifies that the degree should contain substantial independent work, such as a Master’s thesis.

The vacancy further indicates an expected average Master’s grade equivalent to B or better. Candidates whose grades do not meet the stated level may need to provide evidence of particular suitability, such as relevant professional experience or peer-reviewed scholarly work.

International applicants should also check how their academic qualifications align with Norwegian requirements. NTNU requests documentation related to foreign education, while the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills provides official information on recognition of overseas qualifications.

Research Areas and Academic Fit

The opportunity is particularly relevant to applicants whose proposed research can be connected to one of the Faculty of Humanities’ 2026 research groups. The current list demonstrates the breadth of the call.

Relevant examples include medieval history and culture, philosophy and ethics, aesthetics, language, literature, music, museums, democracy, environmental humanities, media and data, and the relationship between AI and society.

Therefore, applicants should not begin with the application form. Start with research fit.

Identify a research group first. Then study its current themes, researchers, recent publications, and methodological interests. After that, shape your proposal around a question that the group can genuinely support.

Salary, Research Funding and Employment Benefits

One major advantage is that the PhD position is structured as employment rather than an ordinary tuition-based doctoral scholarship.

The vacancy states that a PhD research fellow under position code 1017 normally receives a gross annual salary of NOK 550,800, depending on qualifications and seniority. A statutory 2% contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from salary.

In addition, PhD fellows at the Faculty of Humanities can receive up to NOK 100,000 in working capital for carrying out the research project. This can make a meaningful difference when planning conferences, research activities, equipment, or other legitimate project costs.

The position also provides access to NTNU employee benefits and the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The standard employment period is three years, although the vacancy notes that some positions may include career-enhancing duties depending on departmental needs.

How to Apply for the NTNU Humanities PhD

The strongest applications require preparation well before the deadline.

Step 1: Choose a suitable research group

Review the Faculty of Humanities’ 2026 research groups and identify where your project belongs. Your proposal should show a genuine academic connection rather than a broad reference to the university.

Step 2: Contact a potential supervisor

NTNU specifically advises candidates to contact potential supervisors early. For the 2026/27 call, applicants must include a written confirmation from the intended main supervisor using NTNU’s required template. Applications without the required confirmation will not be considered.

Step 3: Develop the project description

The project description is central to the selection process. NTNU states that it is the most important element in the evaluation and that the project must be realistic within the doctoral period.

A strong proposal should therefore explain the research problem, objectives, theoretical foundation, methodology, expected contribution, and feasibility.

Step 4: Prepare the supporting documents

The application materials include academic diplomas and transcripts, a completed CV, the doctoral project description, supervisor confirmation, and contact details for two relevant referees. Applicants with foreign education may also need the requested documentation concerning their qualifications.

Finally, submit the application through the official Jobbnorge vacancy before 1 October 2026.

Expert Tips for a Strong Application

The biggest mistake is treating this as a standard scholarship form. It is a research recruitment process.

First, make the research question specific. A proposal about “technology and society” is too broad. A question about how a particular digital practice changes a defined social or cultural process is more researchable.

Second, demonstrate feasibility. A doctoral project should be ambitious, but it must also fit a three-year framework.

Third, show supervisor fit. Mention why your project belongs in the selected research environment. Review the supervisor’s research profile before making contact.

For international applicants, another useful step is to map your Master’s degree against NTNU’s requirements before the final application stage. This avoids administrative surprises later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A polished CV cannot compensate for a weak research proposal. Likewise, an original topic may still fail when it lacks a clear methodological plan.

Avoid sending generic emails to several professors. Instead, write a focused message that briefly introduces your research question and explains why their research group is relevant.

Also, do not leave supervisor confirmation until the final week. NTNU explicitly states that candidates should arrange this well before the deadline.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The Up to 7 PhD Research Fellow Positions in Humanities at NTNU represent a strong opportunity for researchers who want both doctoral training and the freedom to develop an original project. The combination of a three-year research position, salary, research funding, and access to established humanities research groups makes the call especially attractive. However, success depends heavily on academic fit, proposal quality, and early supervisor engagement. Applicants should begin by identifying the right research group rather than simply completing the application form. Review the official vacancy carefully, prepare your documents early, and submit before the 1 October 2026 deadline.

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