About the position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering on the subject of ‘Depressurization of CO2-rich mixtures in pipes’. The PhD position is part of the CO2-transport task at NCCS – Norwegian CCS Research Centre (www.nccs.no), one of the Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research, coordinated by SINTEF and co-funded by the Research Council of Norway and the industry and research partners. The appointment has a duration of three years. The candidate will work in a team with the other researchers in the centre on this subject.

The background for the PhD position is the need for validated models describing transient multiphase flows relevant for safe design and operation of CO2-transport systems. In particular, to describe running-ductile fracture, which high-pressure CO2-transport pipelines must be designed against, we need models describing transients that are so fast that it may not be a good approximation to assume local thermodynamic equilibrium. The models developed in the project will be validated by running experiments in the ECCSEL depressurization facility, which was commissioned in 2019 and which is located on site.

The head of department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position's day to day project manager and supervisor is by Professor Armin Hafner.

Duties of the position

The main subtopics of the PhD project are

• To understand under which conditions transient flow of CO2 or CO2-rich mixtures should be described by models allowing for non-equilibrium, e.g., different chemical potential between the phases.
• To propose, implement, analyse and validate such models.

The main ingredients are:

• CFD/Programming and simulation. The candidate must have or obtain very good programming skills.
• Physics/Modelling
• Mathematics/Analysis
• Performing and analysing experiments

The candidate can influence the amount of each ingredient.

In particular, we have a 1D CFD code describing multiphase multicomponent flow of CO2-rich mixtures in equilibrium. Thus, the candidate has the possibility for a ‘flying start’. However, there is much room for further research.

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 physics, mechanical engineering 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.

Preferred selected criteria

Candidates should hold a master’s degree within physics, mechanical engineering or similar. A strong background in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, numerical methods for (hyperbolic) partial differential equations and programming is required. Detailed knowledge of relevant models, such as the homogeneous equilibrium model for compressible two-phase flow, and numerical methods that can be applied to solve it, such as the HLLC method, is a strong advantage. Proficiency in the GNU/Linux environment is an advantage. Excellent communication skills in scientific writing and oral presentations are needed. Due to the laboratory work, proficiency in Norwegian is an advantage. Excellent English skills, spoken and written, are required. 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).

Personal characteristics

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

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 Engineering, https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv 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 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 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. 

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.

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. 

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

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 Armin Hafner, email armin.hafner@ntnu.no, Chief Scientist Svend Tollak Munkejord, email: svend.t.munkejord@sintef.no or Research Scientist Morten Hammer, email: morten.hammer@sintef.no.  If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ingrid Wiggen, e-mail: ingrid.wiggw@ntnu.no. Please observe that applications should not be sent to these e-mail addresses.

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 IV-111/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 20.04.20

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 20th April 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering