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PhD Candidate in Environmental Sustainability Analysis and Circular Economy in Silicon Metallurgy

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

About the position

The Industrial Ecology Programme (IndEcol), Department of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD student to address life cycle assessment and circular economy in silicon process metallurgy. The position is 3.5 years in duration, including 6 months for teaching duties.

The PhD candidate will support our research in sustainable metallurgy, specifically our participation in the H2020 SisAl Pilot project: Innovative pilot for silicon production with low environmental impact using secondary aluminium and silicon raw materials (2020-2024) (Grant Agreement number: 869268) Carbothermic reduction is used in many metal processes, including in the reduction of quartz to silicon (Si) metal. SisAl Pilot considers replacement of conventional carbothermic with aluminothermic reduction using aluminium slags, dross and secondary metal fractions to increase Si yield, minimize direct emissions, and provide a range of Si, aluminium and alumina products.

Metal value chains are important to global carbon emissions and material flows, and primary metal production dominates life cycle impacts of many product systems. Sustainable metallurgy relies upon better understanding the links between metallurgy process design, the value chains they involve, and the environmental impacts attached to these. Gaps remain in knowledge transfer across the domains of process metallurgy and environmental sustainability assessment.

IndEcol is a well-established interdisciplinary group in the field of environmental sustainability analysis. Researchers at IndEcol participate in international expert groups, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Resource Panel (IRP), as well as international collaborative projects.

The Head of Department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position’s supervisor is Associate Professor Johan Berg Pettersen, the co-supervisor is Professor Daniel Müller.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Develop models for energy and mass balances in silicon production processes
  • Develop and benchmark life cycle assessment models for the SisAl production routes
  • Data acquisition and documentation
  • Conduct analysis and write up journal manuscripts
  • Complete and defend a dissertation within 3.5 years
  • Teaching assistant for selected courses at IndEcol

Qualification requirements

Essential qualifications:

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a Master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in industrial ecology, engineering, natural science, mathematics, or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants 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 candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

  • University-level mathematics
  • Proven analytical and computational capabilities, in courses and or/thesis deliverables
  • Candidates must prove excellent written and oral English language skills
  • Candidates must speak a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish)

Desirable qualifications:

  • Experience in use of programming for environmental data e.g., Python, Matlab
  • Familiarity with software for metallurgy process simulation e.g., FactSage, HSC Sim
  • Completed courses in life cycle assessment and material flow analysis
  • Study background in metallurgy and material science
  • As the position involves duties as a Teaching Assistant, previous experience as a Student Assistant or similar

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, postdoctor and research assistant

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

Personal characteristics

  • Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated
  • Motivated to solve environmental problems and advance sustainability
  • Ambitious and goal-oriented
  • Team player
  • Excellent communication skills

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, 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 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3.5 years (including 6 months` teaching duties). Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Engineering.

As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

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 criterias 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.

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. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

About the application:

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Johan Berg Pettersen, e-mail johan.pettersen@ntnu.no

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. It is necessary to include a Diploma Supplement for European Master`s Diplomas from outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master`s Diplomas from the China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number IV-77/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 08.03.2020

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 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 March 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Gløshaugen

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