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Video:
https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0About the position
Are you interested in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of metaphysics and physics, then you might be the candidate we are looking for. This PhD position is part of an interdisciplinary research project that explores how recent developments in theoretical physics—particularly in quantum mechanics and quantum gravity—challenge traditional metaphysical assumptions. As a PhD fellow, you will contribute to this research while developing expertise at the boundary between metaphysics and physics in a stimulating research environment.
The aim of metaphysics is to give an account of how the world fundamentally is, and metaphysics is in trouble. The problem is that most metaphysical theories are deeply reliant on the fundamental existence of space and time. What is a world, metaphysics, for instance, asks? One standard answer is that a world includes everything that is related in space and time. The problem is that physicists’ work to combine quantum mechanics and gravity has led to a growing consensus that spacetime is not fundamentally real. Inside black holes, for instance, space and time seem to cease to exist. Is the inside black holes therefore not in the world? In this PhD position, you will help answering questions like this. Thus, if you are a physicist interested in foundational questions or a philosopher interested in the implications that modern physics has for metaphysics, then this PhD position is right for you!
You will be part of a project whose guiding idea that the role that spacetime plays in metaphysical theories can instead be played by quantum entanglement. Entanglement is a strange kind of coordinated behavior between quantum systems – strange because the coordination cannot be explained as prearranged. The hypothesis of the project is that entanglement can be understood as an irreducible, external relation. And the aim is to use it to construct entanglement-based accounts of what a world is, how elements of a world get individuated, and what laws of nature are.
As the PhD fellow on this project, you will participate in this work. Whether your expertise is primarily philosophical/metaphysical or physical/formal, there are many ways to contribute. On the more philosophical side are, for instance, questions about what an account of worlds or laws of nature should achieve. On the more physical side are questions about the formal characteristics of entanglement. In-between are how these characteristics can be captured as relations and how these relations meet the requirement of an account of world or laws of nature. We are, in other words, looking for a candidate with expertise in one or more of a broad range of topics including quantum information theory, quantum gravity, philosophy of science, and metaphysics. What is most important is your interest in working at the intersection between philosophy and physics.
The project is led by Dr. Rasmus Jaksland, who will also serve as main supervisor. Jaksland has an interdisciplinary background with a BA and MA , and PhD in philosophy and a BSc and MSc in theoretical high energy physics. Whether your background is philosophy or physics, Jaksland will guide you into this interdisciplinary field of research.
The project is well-anchored in the international forefront of research in entanglement metaphysics with the advisory board consisting of Prof. Hans Halvorson (Princeton), Prof. Alyssa Ney (Munich), Prof. Matteo Morganti (Rome), and Prof. Vincent Lam (Bern).
The position comes with generous travel funds that can, for instance, be used for international conferences and research stays abroad. Jaksland and the advisory board will help connect you with the best researchers in the field. At home, you will be part of the vibrant research environment at the Department of Philosophy of Religious Studies. There, you will also get to know PhD fellows from many other branches of philosophy and religious studies.
The desired start date for the position is no later than October 1, 2026.
About the project
The project “Entanglement Metaphysics without Spacetime (EMwiS)” is funded by the Research Council of Norway. A more detailed description of the project is available from rasmus.jaksland@ntnu.no.
Duties of the position
Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate. This includes:
- Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
- Academic publications and popular science dissemination
- Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Required selection criteria
- You must have a relevant Master's degree in philosophy, physics, mathematics, or equivalent. Your course of study must normally correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD-programme in Historical and Cultural Studies. Applicants with all above mentioned master degrees are eligible, as long as the education include a MA thesis of at least 30 ECTS and the applicant’s academic record is in line with the admission requirements
- Good oral and written presentation skills in English
PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
- Expertise in metaphysics, philosophy of science, quantum information theory, or quantum gravity
- Knowledge of entanglement, spacetime emergence, or Lewisian metaphysics broadly construed, e.g., Humeanism, world-mate relations, individuation, laws of nature, naturalness, or modality
- Ability to reflect on and contribute to the topic of the project
- Demonstrated ability for academic work
Personal characteristics
- Work independently and take initiative
- Collaborate and engage constructively across disciplinary boundaries
- Present and discuss your research with other professionals
- Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
We offer
Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.
As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD fellow, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work.
For employment as a PhD fellow, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
About the application
The attachments must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
The application must include:
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- CV
- A list of your scientific work
- Writing sample (maximum 10000 words/25 pages). The writing sample can be any published or unpublished work by you that you think reflects your general academic qualifications
- A text where you reflect on your preferred take on the topic of the project and how your academic background and skills make you qualified for contributing to the project (maximum 1600 words/4 pages). This text is not expected to be a full research proposal, but rather a reflection on your academic interests and ability in relation to the themes of the project. The 1600 words reflection should be entered in the field "Application text" in the application. A more detailed project description can be obtained upon request at rasmus.jaksland@ntnu.no.
- Names and contact information of two relevant referees
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found at
Documentation requirements for education obtained outside Norway - NTNU. If you already have a statement from
Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.
If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Project Manager Rasmus Jaksland, e-mail
rasmus.jaksland@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-adviser Elisabeth Leite, e-mail:
elisabeth.leite@ntnu.no.
Application deadline: 05. June 2026
For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.