NTNU and the World: Moving talented researchers to Norway

From left to right: Ellen Hoprekstad (Onboard Noway CEO), Chirag Ramgopal Shah (PhD, Department of Electric Energy), Bodi Wold (Head of Office, Department of Electric Energy), Jonas Kristiansen Nøland (Professor, Department of Electric Energy). Photo: Ole Ekker.

International talents and strategy

Every professor, office manager and HR knows that the human capital is the core foundation of any well functioning research institution. However, modern day universities face stiff competition over the brightest heads. Being a small country in the far north, Norway has to be able to attract and retain the international talent crucial for carrying out quality research.

Reflected in NTNU's strategy for 2026 - 2035, one of the main ambitions is that NTNU shall be a leading international university. To meet this, NTNU aims to further develop and build more world-leading academic communities. PhD candidates are seen as an important part of the university's research resources, and doctoral education shall be recognized for maintaining a high international level.¹ In the words of Rector Tor Grande: “they (the PhDs) are the engine in the research at NTNU!”² 

This is great of course, but we all know that goals and ambitions are more easily written down than carried out and followed through to completion. Strengthening the university’s international position necessarily entails relocating talented academic personnel from abroad to Norway. And moving to another country comes with uncertainties, culture change, bureaucratic challenges and expectations that need to be managed. What makes an international talent want to move to Norway and carry out research here? 

We visited the Department of Electric Energy to talk about what actually works when bringing over international academic staff and PhD’s! 

It's electrical! Chirag R. Shah is igniting the spark of research at NTNU's Department of Electric Energy,

Photo: Ole Ekker.

One of the international talents choosing to make Norway and NTNU his home is Chirag Ramgopal Shah. Chirag is doing research on power grid stability analysis, in order to enable maximum power electronics-based renewables integration. Originally from India, he moved from Germany to Norway in the summer of 2022 – being joined later by his wife. He has been working at NTNU for 3 years and will finish his PhD in spring. Together with Professor Jonas Kristiansen Nøland and Head of Office Bodil Wold, we discussed the advantages of relocation support – why it works and why it matters! We ended up with five clear and concise benefits for the professor, administration and candidate alike. Here is what we see:  

1. Stronger recruitment:

Mentioning relocation support in interviews makes it easier for candidates to say yes, especially when they're comparing offers.

2. Better starts:

When immigration and housing are handled before arrival, people can focus on work and get a head start. It often leads to faster progress towards completing the PhD.

3. Less admin overload:

HR and office staff no longer spend hours dealing with visas, housing, and everyday practicalities.

4. More time for research:

Professors can focus on supervision and science instead of helping PhDs navigate life logistics.

5. Safer, more confident decisions:

Candidates can ask us personal questions they may not want to raise with their employer, helping them feel informed, supported, and less likely to leave before finishing.

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At Onboard Norway we have a longstanding partnership with NTNU and are proud to have taken part in welcoming many talented researchers and academics over the years! If you have questions or want to order relocation support you can contact us at: 

• Email: ellen@onboardnorway.com  

• Tlf.: +47 924 80 635

• NTNU staff can order relocation support via this page

For references you can contact Head of Office Bodil Wold at the Department of Electric Energy: bodil.wold@ntnu.no, tlf.: +47 735 94 278. 

Sources:

1. Strategy – NTNU 2035: https://www.ntnu.no/ntnus-strategi 

2. LinkedIn post by Tor Grande, 19.11.2025: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7395149501457563648/