About the position 

We have a vacancy for a postdoc working in the area of experimental soft matter science in the Soft and Complex Matter Lab located at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU in Trondheim Norway.

The position is funded by NTNU and the activities of the postdoc will experimental and expected to be associated with a new EU project that is coordinated by the Soft and Complex Matter Lab, which is dealing with “Pickering emulsions for food applications.

Experimental methods that will be utilized in the project are mainly microscopy (optical, fluorescent confocal, atomic force - AFM, electron (SEM, TEM)), Zeta potential characterization, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), microfluidic methods. Custom made experiments, such as special purpose sample cells, acoustic or magnetic levitation etc. will be designed and built with the help of   the laboratory’s technical staff, the NTNU mechanical workshop or by own 3D printing.

The project will include X-ray scattering characterization (wide- or small-angle, i.e. WAXS or SAXS) either in the Soft and Complex Matter Lab at NTNU or at international synchrotron X-ray facilities. Neutron scattering experiments (SANS and spectroscopy) will be performed at international neutron facilities, such as ISIS UK.

Starting date for employment in the position is expected to be January 1st 2022.

You will report to Head of Department of Physics Professor Erik Wahlstrøm.

Professor Jon Otto Fossum will be the coordinating scientific supervisor of the postdoc.

Duties of the position

• Perform experimental work related to Pickering emulsions for food applications.
• Aid PhD students or MSc students working in the Soft and Complex Matter Lab at NTNU working on soft matter science, in particular on Pickering emulsions..
• Aid in writing proposal for experiments to be performed at international synchrotron or neutron facilities.
• Aid in writing and refining scientific publications or innovation activities based on the work in the Soft and Complex Matter Lab at NTNU.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in experimental  physics, materials science, chemistry or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD.
• The position requires strong experimental skills.

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  

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with colloid functionalization, nanoparticle synthesis and preparation may be considered an advantage.
• Experience with soft or condensed matter experimental physics, in particular experienced use of the experimental methods listed above will be considered an advantage.
• It may be considered an advantage if the candidate has previous experience with soft interfaces, surfactant layers, Pickering layers or soft membranes.
• Experience with food related soft matter may be considered an advantage.
• It will be considered an advantage if the applicant has data-analysis skills in e.g., Matlab or Python.
• Experience with experimental training and teaching may be taken into account in the evaluation process.
• Experience from the non-academic sector may be taken into account.
• Good written and oral English.

Personal characteristics

• Creative, with a strong ability to work goal-oriented and independently.
• Good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results.
• He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in teams, which is of particular importance in this collaborative project.

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

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 553 500 per annum before tax.From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 

The period of employment is 3 years.

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. 

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis,with the exception of the time periods of planned research missions to the collaborating laboratories described above.

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.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include:

• An application letter that shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the specific criteria and general research approach which are set out above, as well as your motivation.
• CV, certificates and diplomas.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment. Name and address of three referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.  

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 and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

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 (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.  

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 Jon Otto Fossum, email jon.fossum@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Head of Department of Physics Professor Erik Wahlstrøm, e-mail: erik.wahlstrom@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 108/21 when applying.  

Application deadline: 19.10.2021

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 Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 19th October 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service