Call for Applications: 6 External Early-Career Researcher Fellowships (2026–2027 Cohort)
Governance Frameworks for the Nordic Energy Transition at Sea (GNTS). Nordic Energy Research funded the GNTS mobility grant to strengthen the network and mobility cooperation between the University of Bergen (coordinator), the University of Copenhagen, the University of Gothenburg and Åbo Akademi University. As part of this initiative, we invite applications for six (6) fully funded fellowships for external Early-Career Researchers to join the GNTS mobility and training programme for 2026–2027.
These positions are open to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers based at European institutions not affiliated with the GNTS Project Partners. Participants will engage in a two-year interdisciplinary programme focused on governance frameworks for the offshore energy transition, with a Nordic focus. Researchers based in the Nordics, the North Sea or the Baltics are specially encouraged to apply.
About GNTS
GNTS is a Nordic research and training network dedicated to offshore energy governance, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability in ocean-based energy activities. It brings together 67 affiliated researchers and four university hubs working across climate law, energy law, marine governance, climate policy, and law of the sea.
What the Two-year Programme Includes
Selected Early-Career Researchers will participate in the following GNTS training components:
1. GNTS’ Summer Schools
Participants must attend two summer schools, usually planned for mid to late August:
· 2026 Bergen – Licensing, Climate Implications & Project Financing
· 2027 Gothenburg – Technology and Sea Governance in Offshore Energy Transition.
2. GNTS Mentoring Scheme
Each Early-Career Researcher is paired with a mentor from a different GNTS hub for the full two-year period. Mentorship includes online meetings.
3. Offshore Energy Transition Reading Group
Participation in the 2026 Reading Group Program (8 sessions over two semesters), including interdisciplinary literature discussions and the development of joint publications.
4. Contribution to the GNTS Seminar Series
Each Early-Career Researcher must organize (and/or present) her/his research in an online/hybrid GNTS seminar series (6 of them are organized per year). The seminar presentation/organization can be done in either 2026 or 2027. It is possible to coordinate joint seminars among two (2) Early-Career Researchers[IH1] .
5. Full Funding
GNTS covers all travel, accommodation, summer school participation, and other mobility costs.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
· Be PhD candidates or Postdoctoral researchers enrolled/employed at a European institution.
· Not be affiliated with the four GNTS partner institutions.
· Demonstrate research interest relevant to offshore energy governance, climate policy, marine regulation, energy transition, ocean sustainability, or related fields.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Research Statement: Explaining the applicant’s work and its link to GNTS themes (offshore energy governance, regulation, sustainability, marine spatial planning, climate and energy policy, etc.) (max one page).
3. Motivation and potential contribution to GNTS activities (max one page).
4. Gender, racial, and geographical diversity will be considered in line with GNTS’s commitment to inclusive researcher development (p. 3).
Application Materials
Applicants must submit in a single PDF:
1. CV (max three pages)
2. Research Statement (max one page)
3. Motivation and potential contribution to GNTS activities (max one page).
4. Indication of willingness to commit to full participation for 2026–2027.
Timeline
Application deadline: January 5, 2026
Selection completed: Mid-January 2026
Programme start: March 2026
Participation: 2026–2027 (two full years)
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted by email to: coastlaw@uib.no