About the position

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA) has a vacancy for a position as PhD candidate within the field of Li-ion battery technology, affiliated to a Knowledge- Building Project, hosted by the Faculty of Engineering, “Norwegian Giga Battery Factories” (NorGiBatF). NorGiBatF is a multidisciplinary project, aiming for improving the competence related to Li-ion battery production, involving education of several PhD candidates. Research activities relevant for the PhD position will include studies of selected process parameters on cell performance, and corresponding mitigation strategies. In particular, the research will focus on effects of moist, and how to design more moist resistant Li-ion cells by use of moist scavengers, alternative salts etc. The project will be conducted in collaboration with industry (Freyr, Beyonder, Nordic Mining, Norsirk, Hydro) and international research organisations, as well as Insitute for Energy Technology (IFE) and SINTEF Energy.

The main supervisor the candidate will be Professor Ann Mari Svensson (IMA), and the co-supervisor will be Professor Odne Stokke Burheim, at Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. Additional co-supervisors may be appointed.

Duties of the position

The tasks of the candidate will involve: 

• Characterization of materials and laboratory scale battery cells using state-of-the art infrastructure at Department of Materials Science
• Presentation of results at project meetings and national and international workshops and conferences
• Preparation of scientific papers

The candidate is expected to participate actively in the battery community at NTNU and at Department of Materials Science and Engineeing, including mentoring and co-supervision of master students. 

Travelling with respect to conferences, meetings, workshops may be expected as part of the position. 

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 [subject area] or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you 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.

Regarding the PhD candidate, we are looking for a candidate with a strong background in chemistry/electrochemistry, materials technology, or physics. Preferred candidates should have

• Experience (hands on) with relevant experimental techniques related to electrochemical characterization of battery electrodes and cells, or similar devices
• Experience with relevant materials characterization techniques
• Experience with HSE procedures
• Experience with scientific writing
• Good written and oral English skills

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of qualifications of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement. Emphasis will be put on communication skills, as well as collaborative skills.

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

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 with a possiblilty of 4 years inkluding 25 % teaching duties. (To undertake the teaching duties, it is a requirement that the candidate speaks Norwegian or another Scandinavian language).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Materials Technology (https://www.ntnu.no/studier/phmt) 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 daily.

About the application

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. 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. 

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement.
• CV including information pertaining to the given qualifications.
• Testimonials and certificates. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement (https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en) or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Names and contact information of at least two references.

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

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

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

General information

Working at NTNU

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 (

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 Professor Ann Mari Svensson, telephone 98230450, email annmari.svensson@ntnu.no, or Professor Odne Stokke Burheim, odne.burheim@ntnu.no

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).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number NV-92/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 13.10.2020

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.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences is a key player in national and international research and education programmes in natural sciences and technology. Our research focuses on global challenges in the areas of energy, climate, the environment, food, water, health and welfare. The Faculty consists of eight departments as well as the Faculty Administration.

Deadline 13th October 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 193056