Phd Position

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

There is a vacancy for a PhD position in System Dynamics at the Department of Geography.

The position is part of the Belmont Forum project “ComDisp: Community-Centered Modeling of Housing-Related Health Disparities.” ComDisp develops a grassroots modeling framework to predict health disparities under different climate change scenarios. Addressing housing-related health risks in the USA, Vietnam, Turkey, and Ecuador, the project integrates community engagement, data science, and computational modeling. The key objectives of ComDisp are:

• Identifying and understanding housing, air quality, and respiratory health issues in each case study.
• Linking climate change models to housing, air quality, and respiratory health outcomes.
• Designing a grassroots scenario-planning process.
• Exploring and analyzing housing and health issues under climate scenarios through interactive tools and resources.

This PhD position is part of a Norway-Vietnam collaboration, funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN). The successful candidate will use public health data from Vietnam to develop hybrid agent-based and system dynamics models. These models will then be adapted and applied to other ComDisp case studies in the USA, Ecuador, and Turkey.

Applicants are expected to submit a research proposal that outlines relevant research questions and perspectives aligned with ComDisp’s objectives. To prepare a strong application, candidates are encouraged to review the full project description, which is available upon request.

• The applicant must hold a master's degree or the equivalent in system dynamics or a related field such as economics, systems engineering, information sciences, etc. The degree must be completed by the application deadline.
• The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the master's degree in total.
• The applicant must be proficient in both written and oral English.
• The applicant must have strong quantitative and computational foundations.
• The applicant must demonstrate a strong background and interest in multi-method dynamic simulation modeling.
• The applicant must be able to work independently and in a structured manner.
• The applicant must be able to work as a member of a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team, and demonstrate good collaborative and communication skills.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research, linking social, economic, and environmental sciences, is desirable.
• Proficiency in programming languages and software commonly used in modeling (e.g., NetLogo, AnyLogic, Mesa, InsightMaker, etc.) is desirable.
• Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the department for an interview.

The duration of the PhD position is 3 years. Starting date is August 2025.

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.

Project proposal:
A research proposal of 5-8 pages must accompany the application. The proposal should present the topic, the research problem(s) and choice of theory and methods. The proposal should also include a progress plan for the different parts of the project. Admittance to the PhD programme will be based on the research proposal. The faculty has prepared a guide for writing project descriptions.

• Salary as PhD (code 1017) NOK 540 500, - per year. Automatic salary increases for up to 3 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 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 “”.

Closing date: May 30, 2025. The application must be marked: 2025/3979

Applications submitted without a project description 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 Associate Professor Saeed Langarudi, saeed.langarudi@uib.no.

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to Adviser – HR, Bodil Hægland, bodil.hagland@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: bodil.hagland@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.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

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.