About the position

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering has a vacancy for a 2 year postdoctoral fellow within tribology. We are looking for a candidate with a background in one or ideally more of these areas: lubricants, lubricant formulation, water-based lubricants, advanced surface analysis (XPS, QCM, AFM) and coatings.

About the materials group

The materials group deals with applications of materials science: engineering materials and surfaces with desirable properties for specific applications. The group consists of an interdisciplinary mixture of engineers, physicists, and chemists. We have many industrial and international academic collaborations and aim to provide a stimulating environment for young scientists.

About the Project

Maritime transportation is increasing worldwide, leading to annual lubricant release into the ports. Norwegian ports rank as the 12th world nation with the highest lubricant release to the sea. Lubricants reaching the sea waters can be catastrophic to local marine wildlife and aquatic plants, and harmful chemical substances can enter the food chain affecting human health. Therefore, the aim of this project is to set up greener maritime activities in Norway by substituting all detrimental and harmful mineral oils. The project consists of several industrial partners that will jointly perform research with NTNU to develop new environmental solutions for lubricating maritime systems.

You will report to Professor.

Duties of the position

• Perform advanced tribological testing of the new lubricant formulations and adjust them to the needs of the project   
• Perform pilot scale testing of the new lubricants on metal surfaces and coated metal surfaces
• Correlate the lubricant composition with the coatings microstructure and chemistry to find the best performing combination
• Perform advanced surface analysis (e.g. XPS, AFM, Raman, SEM, etc) of the tested samples and correlate the lubricant formulation (additives, etc) with the response of the system

Required selection criteria

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Materials Engineering or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.

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 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.

Other required selection criteria

• You should be expert on, or have an advanced and practical knowledge in one or several of these surface characterization techniques: XPS, QCM and AFM 
• You need experience with practical experimental work with lubricant formulation experience

Preferred selection criteria

• You should have at least 2 years experience in the field of environmentally acceptable lubricants
• You should have experience in the field of coatings and surface engineering
• You need excellent written and oral English language skills and knowledge in Norwegian language

Personal characteristics

We are looking for someone who are/have

• Highly motivated, with enthusiasm for experimental research
• Interested in strong interaction with industry
• Able to work both in a research team as well as carry out personal research projects
• Good interpersonal 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

Postdoctoral fellowship:

The employment period is 2 years Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 542 400 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 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
• 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.

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 Prof. Nuria Espallargas, email nuria.espallargas@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Linn-Cecilie Felle, e-mail: linn.c.felle@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 IV-561/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 30.10.2020

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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

We educate graduates who can create new products, operate and maintain products, and manage projects. The Department has a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. We conduct wide-ranging research in fields such as technology, energy, product quality and development, and productivity. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 30th October 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Gløshaugen