About the position

Several PhD positions are available in a newly granted Centre for Research-based Innovation (CRI), Center for Sustainable and Competitive Metallurgical and Manufacturing Industry (SFI PhysMet), hosted by NTNU (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Physics), together with key research partners (SINTEF and IFE), and user partners from the metallurgical and manufacturing industry in Norway.

The objective of CRI PhysMet is to enable and accelerate the transformation of the national metal industry towards more sustainable and cost-efficient production, future material products, solutions and improved processing methods. CRI PhysMet will contribute to long-term competence building and prepare for innovations within four main areas i) metal recycling and compensational metallurgy (of light metals), i.e. the ability to cancel negative effects of impurities and exploiting potential positive effects of impurities and increased amounts of alloying elements, enabling significantly more recycling in the metal-based value chains; ii) solid-state recycling (e.g. screw extrusion) and mechanical alloying, with the prospect of new alloys and composites with improved properties; iii) rapid solidification, with prospects of development new feedstock materials for additive manufacturing; and iv) welding and joining methods (for e.g. aluminium and steels), with prospects of new material- and processing solutions for high-end markets.

The candidates will be part of a world-class research environment on physical metallurgy and the candidate will work in close collaboration with the research- and industry partners. Upon completion of the PhD degree, the candidate is expected to be well qualified for a career in both academia and industry.

Duties of the position

The candidates should contribute within one or more of the main research areas of the CRI PhysMet Center, as listed above, i.e.:

Process- and alloy development in relation to metal recycling, materials for additive manufacturing or welding and joining through either

• Materials processing and advanced experimental characterization of nano-/microstructure and associated properties
• Development, implementation and use of relevant modelling- and simulation tools (at different length scales) for the prediction of microstructure and associated properties during processing and manufacturing of relevant materials 

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 materials science and engineering, physics, chemistry 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 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.

Being fluent in both spoken and written English is a prerequisite. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

The applicants should provide name and contact details for at least 3 references, which can be contacted for further questions about the candidate’s background and qualifications for doing a PhD in Norway and as part of CRI PhysMet.

Preferred requirements

For the experimentally oriented position(s), the relevant candidates should have an educational background which preferably includes hands-on experience with advanced nano-/microstructure characterization and analysis techniques (e.g. SEM, TEM, APT) as well as various methods for mechanical testing. Candidates with background on powder metallurgy and/or solidification may also apply.

For the modelling and simulation-oriented position(s), the candidates should have an educational background which includes and preferably also show some experience with one or more of the following topic areas:

• Numerical/mathematical modelling and simulations of nano-/microstructure phenomena in materials science and engineering
• Atomic scale modelling with DFT, MD or KMC
• Model implementation/programming in Fortran, C/C++, Python or similar computer languages.

Candidates with knowledge of Norwegian and/or international metallurgical industry will be preferred.

Personal characteristics

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

• Be structured, targeted and solution-oriented;
• The successful candidate will be a team player in a group with the project consortium, professors, researchers, PhDs and scientists from the industrial sector
• Self-driven with a strong ability to work independently when required
• Proven ability to work with an interdisciplinary team
• Have good dissemination skills

Personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude, and contributing to a sustainable social environment will also be valued.

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

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.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Materials Science and Engineering 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

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

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:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment
• Name and address of three referees

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.

However, it is an ambition to increase the female PhD level in physical metallurgy, therefore, female candidates will be prioritized, provided they have similar excellent 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 Knut Marthinsen, phone: +47 73593473, email: knut.marthinsen@ntnu.no or Professor Marisa Di Sabatino Lundberg, phone: +47 73551205, e-mail: marisa.di.sabatino.lundberg@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Hilde Martinsen Nordø, e-mail: hilde.m.nordo@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-95/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 14.10.2020

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.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering  

We are Norway's leading educational and research environment in materials engineering, materials chemistry and materials science.  In collaboration with business and industry, we are a driving force for the development of innovative materials as well as new applications and manufacturing processes.  Activities in our disciplines are vital for the green shift. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 14th October 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 193260