PhD Research Fellowship in Sustainable Finance

About the position

Inland School of Business and Social Sciences, The PhD programme Innovation in Services in the Public and Private Sectors (INSEPP), invites candidates to apply for a fully funded 3-year PhD research fellowship in sustainable finance. Depending on the department’s needs, and the candidate’s competence and preferences, the position may be transformed into a four-year position with 25% teaching duties.

The purpose of the PhD Research Fellowship is for the admitted candidate to undergo research training programme that lead to the successful completion of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment. The candidate is expected to participate actively in INSEPP’s activities. After commencement, the candidate must apply for admission to the PhD programme within three months. An agreement for admission to the PhD programme must be in place within six months after commencement.

The PhD candidates will be a part of an international team of innovation researchers at University of Inland Norway (INN). The candidate will be part of the Department of Business Administration and is expected to be an active member of the Business Analytics Research Group. In addition to INSEPP, these environments represent a valuable resource for PhD studies.

The workplace is Campus Lillehammer.

About the project

The project, ESG Frameworks and Climate Transition, focuses on evaluating regulatory applications, transition instruments, and reporting impacts.

As ESG frameworks evolve, they provide greater transparency into corporate sustainability. ESG reporting standards, like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and others provide specific guidelines for reporting ESG issues. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD focuses on climate-related financial disclosures, where requiring companies to publish climate change-related (CCR) risks and opportunities.

However, the connection between ESG reporting and the implementation of effective climate transition strategies remains fragmented. Businesses struggle to align their ESG disclosures with actionable climate solutions, such as carbon pricing mechanisms, green bonds, and renewable energy projects. Furthermore, a limited understanding of climate transition instruments and their integration into corporate sustainability strategies poses a significant barrier to achieving net-zero emissions goals.

We are seeking a candidate with a focus on sustainability in finance to explore the following possible research topics, such as:

1. How do ESG regulatory frameworks apply to corporations?
2. What are the most effective climate transition instruments, and how are they integrated into sustainability strategies?
3. How does ESG reporting affect a company’s access to climate transition instruments?

We are looking for candidates that are highly motivated for research in the field of sustainable finance, with the following preferred experience:

• Research & analytical skills.
• Understanding of ESG & climate instruments.
• Quantitative & qualitative research methods.
• Previous experience in fiscal policy on green investment, sustainability reporting, ESG analysis, or corporate sustainability is a plus.

Contact information:

• Associate Professor Minh Thi Hong Dinh, phone number: +47 61 28 85 35, e-mail: minh.dinh@inn.no 
• Head of PhD programme Marit Engen, phone number: +47 61 28 81 07, e-mail: marit.engen@inn.no

Qualifications

The appointed candidate must qualify for admission to the university's PhD programme Innovation in Services in the Public and Private Sectors (INSEPP).

You must have the following qualifications:

• A master's degree or equivalent education in relevant disciplines (business economics, finance, sustainability) relevant to the position.
• The master's degree must normally constitute 120 ECTS credits, including a master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits.
• A strong academic background from your previous studies. The average grade should normally be B or better from the master's program or equivalent education.

If you have an education from abroad, please attach documentation of recognition of foreign higher education from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. If the requested documentation is not possible to obtain within the application deadline, an equivalent assessment can be made by INN University in connection with the recruitment process.

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's:

• Academic and personal qualifications to complete doctoral education within the employment period.
• Ability to work independently and purposefully, as well as to collaborate on research, publishing and teaching tasks.
• Being structured and having a high work capacity.
• Demonstrating solid theoretical insight and interest.

Language:

• Good proficiency in English, both oral and written. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must document their English proficiency in accordance with the Supplementary Regulations for Admission to the PhD Programme at INN University.

In the evaluation and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:

• The quality of the project proposal
• Documented independent research and development work or experience relevant to the project

It is mandatory to attach a project proposal of 2000 words (see the section on "How to Apply" below).

The assessment of which candidate is best qualified will be a comprehensive evaluation of education, experience, and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other qualification requirements as formulated in the job advertisement.

The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at University of Inland Norway. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.

We offer

• An academically stimulating and supportive work environment at a developing institution.
• Possibility of professional development in an exciting academic research environment.
• Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

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How to apply

Relevant applications will be considered by an expert committee. The application and all attachments are to be submitted electronically and should include the following:

• The applicant must submit a project proposal with a progress plan (in English, 2000 words) that explains how the research work will be carried out and addresses academic relevance, challenges and possibilities within the project. The project proposal should also outline the theories and methods intended to be used. The project proposal plays an important role in evaluating applicants and must demonstrate how the project will lead to the successful completion of a doctoral degree within three/four years. The PhD research fellow hired will, in collaboration with a supervisor, prepare a complete project proposal that will form the basis for admission to the PhD program.
• Application letter with a brief overview of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• CV (summarizing education, job positions, and academic work)
• Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas. An English translation of all education documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.
• Other work that is relevant for the application
• Names and contact information of at least 2 reference persons
• A copy of the master thesis (in PDF)

Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.

General information

INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling.

We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports

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.