🇳🇴PhD Research Fellowship in Sustainable Finance

July 15, 2026

Contributor: Nadya Maharani

About the Position

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:

How do ESG regulatory frameworks apply to corporations?
What are the most effective climate transition instruments, and how are they integrated into sustainability strategies?
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 Requirements

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

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