This page provides an overview over career development instruments and other resources available for current and prospective postdocs at NTNU. As an employer, NTNU wishes to systematically, and actively, support the career development of all its postdoctoral researchers in order to guarantee a positive postdoc experience at NTNU and to maximize their future career opportunities and perspectives.

Norsk versjon: Karriereutvikling for postdoktorer

Courses and seminars 2024:

• PhD-supervisor seminar 27. and 28. November

Courses and seminars will be announced on NTNUs Skills development and courses pages («Læringsportalen»)

NTNUs Educational Development Unit («Uniped») also organizes relevant courses, see Unipeds optional modules in pedagogical basic competence (offered both in English and in Norwegian).

Long-term goals and frameworks for career development

Postdoctoral fellows are entitled to career guidance and a career plan. This is followed up by the personnel manager in the appraisal interview.

The term for postdoctoral positions shall be three to four years (UHL § 7-6). An extension can now be granted up to the maximum time frame for postdoctoral positions if the scope of career-promoting work, has been increased after the start of the position (UHL Regulations § 3-17). This provides new opportunities for being able to offer career-promoting work to employees in externally funded positions.

According to new regulations, all postdoctoral fellows must obtain educational competence and learn Norwegian (A2 level).

Career plan and employee dialogue

• Postdoc employee dialogue: The dialogue is an annual employee interview with a close leader. It should serve as a foundation for career strategy, employee development, and mapping of the working environment.
• Career plan for postdocs: A career plan is an awareness process and documentation that clarifies one’s career goals. The plan is developed by the postdoc and leader at the start of the contract period. It will be updated and followed up regularly in the annual employee interviews. The career plan is evaluated towards the end of the contract period.

The NTNU Postdoc Action Pilot project has developed these templates, which will be further evaluated and adjusted. These templates may already be used by all postdocs at NTNU, and can freely be adjusted by and tailored to the situation of the individual postdoc.

Online resources

the following online resources may also be relevant for current and prospective postdocs at NTNU, seeking to maximize their career opportunities.

Career development and job application resources

• Forskrift til universitets- og høyskoleloven (universitets- og høyskoleforskriften)
• Regulations on conditions of employment for positions as postdoc, PhD-candidate, scientific assistant and specialist candidate (in Norwegian)
• Vitae - Realizing the potential in researchers
• Career development toolkit for researchers
• REFLEX Researcher Career Development Scheme
• Career planning for PhDs e-book
• Euraxess - European jobs
• Jobbnorge
• Tips on writing an academic CV
• Academic cover letters
• How to prepare for a job interview

Other resources for current and prospective postdocs at NTNU

• Vacant positions at NTNU
• The Research Council of Norway – Look for funding opportunities
• NTNU International Researcher Support - NIRS – Among other services, NIRS offers counselling services for administrative staff and researchers working at or visiting NTNU.
• Gender equality and diversity at NTNU
• DION – The interest organization for doctoral and postdoctoral candidates at NTNU
• New in Norway
• Learn Norwegian
• Career centre of Sør-Trøndelag County – Offers free career guidance and organizes job application courses (website currently only available in Norwegian)

The Postdoc Action

«The Postdoc Action» was initiated by The University Research Committee and launched in 2017. Read more about the NTNU Postdoc Action Pilot and its goals. Read Information about the Postdoc Action Pilot Project and Final report Postdoc Action Pilot Project.

Extensions due to the coronavirus pandemic

Extensions for postdocs due to the coronavirus pandemic

Contact

• For questions related to centrally offered career development instruments or feedback to this website:
  Contact Kristin Skjeldestad, HR- and HSE Division
• For questions related to the individual disciplines at the faculties and institutes:
  Contact the respective unit directly. See overview of all units at NTNU.