About the position

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in High Temperature Heat Pump and Dynamic Performance. The position is part of the research project “Key technologies and demonstration of combined cooling, heating and power generation for low-carbon neighbourhoods/buildings with clean energy  ChiNoZEN” jointly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in China and the Research Council of Norway (RCN). This announcement relates to position funded by RCN and will be hired by NTNU.

The Norwegian part of the project is linked to the four Research Centres on Environment-friendly Energy (FME Centres): FME ZEN, FME HighEFF, FME SuSolTech and FME Cineldi, hosted by NTNU, SINTEF Community, SINTEF Energy Research, and Institute for Energy Technology (IFE). The Chinese consortium comprises prominent universities and industry partners: Beijing Jiaotong University, China Academy of Building Research, Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai, Solareast Holdings Co. Ltd., Lanzhou University of Technology, North China Electric Power University (NCEPU), Qingdao Somir Energy Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology.

The commitment of the ChiNoZEN project is to contribute to a significant increase in the share of low-carbon buildings and neighbourhoods through research cooperation between leading Chinese and Norwegian scientists.

The ChiNoZEN project supports the transition to a reliable, affordable, publicly accepted, sustainable built environment, aiming at reducing fossil fuel dependency in the face of increasingly scarce resources, growing energy needs, and threatening climate change. The project delivers new knowledge, solutions and innovative technologies for low-carbon buildings and neighbourhoods.

The research is carried out in five work packages (WPs): WP1 Performance of grid-connected photovoltaic technologies (PVT) with Thermal Energy Storage (TES), WP2 High temperature heat pump (HTHP) and dynamic performance, WP3 Simulation platform and control strategy of CCHP, WP4 Key CCHP technologies of low carbon neighbourhood and buildings with multiple energy sources, and WP5 Demonstration of low carbon neighbourhood and buildings with clean energy.

The Norwegian part of the ChiNoZEN project is managed by FME ZEN and hosted by the Faculty of Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology – NTNU.

Two PhD and four postdoctoral fellow positions for the Norwegian part of the ChiNoZEN project are located in various departments at NTNU and IFE, ensuring the cross-disciplinary research needed in order to reach the aim of the project. All PhD and postdoctoral fellows will stay minimum six months with one of the partners in China.

The Head of Department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position`s day-to-day project management and supervision is by Professor Trygve M. Eikevik.

Duties of the position

We are looking for postdoctoral fellow related to WP2 High temperature heat pump (HTHP) and dynamic performance for the topic:

• Based on natural working fluids, high temperature heat pumps thermodynamic cycles will be investigated. Key parameters of main components and systems will be optimized to be energy efficient with high performance factors.
• Develop and investigate suitable compressors for high temperature operations, reliability and optimized configuration.
• Performance simulation and experimental investigation of high temperature HP system.
• Investigate the dynamic behaviour and efficiency of HTHP in integrated renewable energy grid and to explore the matching of heat pump with renewable electricity under partial load conditions.

High temperature heat pump (HTHP) and dynamic performance (WP2 Postdoctoral Fellowship – from Sep 2020 to Aug 2022)

Objective:

The environmental aspects of refrigeration and heat pumping systems have been addressed the last 30-40 years due to the global warming and ozone depletion related to the working fluids. Different refrigerants have been replacing previous CFC’s and now HFC’s due to their environmental impact. Sustainable development of working fluids is based on using natural fluids like ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and water. The utilization of these fluids will be according to the different applications and operational temperature levels. High temperature heat pump utilization of natural working fluids is a new growing area where it is a need for new knowledge about systems, components and dynamic performance.

In combined cooling, heating and power generation systems, the development of peak load-shaving technology utilizing wind power and solar energy and thermal energy storage (TES), as well as the new solar-thermal converting devices. In these system, high-temperature heat pump combined with compact energy storage system (PCM) can play an important role. It is necessary to develop high temperature electric heat pump using green or natural working fluid, with hot side outlet temperature to reach up to 100oC, and the temperature rise more than 50oC, and the COP of the heating system expected to exceed 3.5. Evaluate different system solutions and alternative natural working fluids to be able to fulfill the requirement

Selection criteria

Essential qualifcations:

• A Postdoctoral Fellowship is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. The candidate must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree, in process and energy engineering.
• Furthermore, the candidate should have excellent communication skills in English (oral and written).
• The candidate should be able and willing to work in inter- and transdisciplinary environments.
• The candidate must enclose a research project description (max. 3 pages incl. references) indicating his/her view of the main research challenges in the area of the position, how they suggest to do the research work and how this is relevant to their own background and the above research objectives and questions.

Desirable qualifications:

• Research or professional experience in heat pumping technologies will be highly appreciated.
• Knowledge of the Norwegian language will be considered as an advantage.
• Candidates familiar with the domain of ZEN and experienced with international cooperation, particularly with China, would be preferred.

Personal characteristics

• Confidence in working independently
• Creativity and goal-oriented personality
• Critical thinking
• Excellent communication skills
• Passion for a renewable energy economy and sustainability

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The employment period is 2 years.

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated from NOK 542 400 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 appointment 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 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.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite that you are 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.

Publications and other academic work must accompany the application. Please note that only applications submitted before the application deadline will be evaluated. You should ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• List of publications
• Research project description (max. 3 pages incl. references) indicating the applicant`s view of the main research challenges in the area of the position, how they suggest doing the research work and how this is relevant to their own background and the above research objectives and questions.
• Name and address of three referees

Collaboration in joint works will be considered in the evaluation. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas, certificates and other required documents. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Applicants with European Master`s qualifications from outside Norway are required to include a Diploma Supplement. Applicants with Master`s qualifications from China are required to include confirmation of Master`s Diplomas from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/.

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test.

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

Questions about the ChiNoZEN Project or the position should be directed to the  ChiNoZEN Project Manager Professor Vojislav Novakovic vojislav.novakovic@ntnu.no. Questions about the position should be directed to Professor Trygve M. Eikevik trygve.m.eikevik@ntnu.no. Questions about the recruitment process should be directed to Megan Norris, megan.norris@ntnu.no

Under the Information Act (Offentleglova), the name, age, position and municipality of an applicant may be made public even if they have submitted a request to have their name removed from the list of applicants.

Please refer to the application number IV-158/20 when applying. 

Application deadline: 21.08.2020

General information

Working at NTNU

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

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

Employees at NTNU must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

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 - 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 21st August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Jobbnorge ID 189924