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PhD Position in Combustion Instabilities

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Trondheim, Norway
Closing date
8 Apr 2020

About the position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, in the Fluids Mechanics group.

The appointment has a duration of 3 years as a researcher towards the degree of PhD. The appointment is financed by the Norwegian Research Council as part of the FRIPRO Programme. The position reports to Associate Professor Nicholas Worth

Job description

It is well known that low emission combustion concepts for aeroengines and gas turbines for power generation are prone to combustion instabilities. These instabilities cause large amplitude pressure oscillations that can drastically reduce the operable range or compromise the structural integrity of gas turbines. The current research project is aimed at improving our fundamental understanding of the combustion dynamics which occur during instabilities in laboratory scale combustors. In particular the project will focus on the effect of dramatic changes to important length and time scales in the flow when using low emission hydrogen fuel blends.

The project will involve conducting a series of laboratory experiments using state-of-the-art laser diagnostics such as high-speed Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV), high-speed chemiluminescence, and acoustic measurements using dynamic pressure sensors to measure the response of acoustically forced flames. The aim of these measurements will be to characterise the dynamics of the flame across a wide range of flow conditions. Simple low order models will also be used to simulate the dynamics of the dominant flow structures. These measurements and models will help improve our understanding of the flame structure and dynamic response during thermoacoustic instability, with the ultimate aim of helping to reduce gas turbine emissions.

Duties of the position

  • Design, setup, and optimisation of experiments, including accurate characterisation of boundary conditions.
  • Measurement of velocity fields using Particle Image Velocimetry, followed by processing and analysis of large data sets.
  • Measurement of heat release rate response using high speed chemiluminescence.
  • Development of simple vortex models to create dominant dynamics.
  • Dissemination of results in scholarly journals and at international conferences.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in fluid mechanics or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Appllicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Required qualifications:

  • A Masters (or second) degree in engineering, applied mathematics, physics or equivalent
  • Strong background in fundamental or applied fluid mechanics.
  • Programming skills in MATLAB, C, Python, or similar packages.
  • Excellent command of the English language, and skilled in academic writing

Desired qualifications:

  • Experience with state-of-the-art experimental fluid mechanics measurements (e.g., high-speed imaging, hot-wire, particle image velocimetry, laser-Doppler anemometry).
  • Experience with CAD software packages (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion360).

Personal characteristics

  • Enthusiastic and highly motivated
  • Able to work effectively by themselves and in a team
  • Able to work in a structured and goal orientated manner
  • Able to work in a multi-cultural environment.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering, https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv  within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI). 

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number IV-94/20 when applying.

In addition to the required fields on the Jobbnorge website, please include a “qualifications” document explicitly detailing how you meet each of the required and some (or all) of the desired qualifications listed above. An application missing these this document may be considered incomplete by the selection committee.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associated Professor Nicholas Worth, email: nicholas.a.worth@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ingrid Wiggen, e-mail: ingrid.wiggen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 08.04.20

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 8th April 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering

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