About the position

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoc candidate to join the group of Mineral Production and HSE within the Department of Geoscience and Petroleum (IGP). The successful applicant will be engaged in an EU funded project focusing on laboratory and pilot-scale beneficiation (particle size reduction, flotation and magnetic separation) of H2-reduced bauxite tailings. The postdoc position is for a three-year period funded by EU-funded project HARARE. The main objective of the project is to increase recovery of and/or recycle Al, Fe, Ca and REE from bauxite tailings.

The successful applicant will be engaged in the EU-funded project HARARE - Hydrogen As the Reducing Agent in the REcovery of metals and minerals from metallurgical waste, which is a Horizon 20 (CE-SC5-07-2020: Low -carbon circular industries 2020).

The main scope of the project is the development and execution of mineral identification, mineral liberation, physical separation and flotation studies with lab and pilot scale flotation equipment on H2-reduced bauxite tailings and hydrometallurgically treated upstream products. The most challenging part of the study is the internal separation and recycling of calcite from leach residue, in which the calcite should be removed by flotation prior to acid leaching for REE recovery to concentrate the REE-containing phases and reduce the acid consumption of the subsequent leaching step, and further upgraded to a quality which makes it suitable for reuse in the bauxite H2-reduction process. This study may not be developed further than laboratory scale. Our overall most important responsibility in terms of the HARARE project as a whole is the physical separation and purification of magnetic minerals/phases that has been developed through the H2-reduction of bauxite tailings. This study will be conducted in both laboratory and pilot scale at the mineral processing laboratory, and also in collaboration with some of the project partners. All of the work may include mineral/phases liberation studies and mineral/phases characterization.

You will report to Head of Department.

Duties of the position

The main duties and responsibilities include developing and conducting mineral processing testwork which enables us to reach the project’s goals.

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 mineral processing, with emphasis on flotation 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

• Background in or good knowledge of size reduction and physical separation processes
• Good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with calcite flotation
• Experience with magnetic separation and gravity separation
• Experience with comminution and classification
• Experience with mineral characterization and mineral liberation
• A strong commitment to safe work practices in the laboratory and field
• Good work ethic, time management, and organizational skills

Personal characteristics

The successful candidate must be

• enthusiastic and highly motivated to conduct experiments and complete project tasks in order to reach the project milestones.
• positive with good communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

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

The employment period is 3 years without other work duties.

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 545 300 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
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works)
• 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 Erik Larsen, telephone +47 92285014, email erik.larsen@ntnu.no, or Przemyslaw B. Kowalczuk, telephone +48 793709959, e-mail przemyslaw.kowalczuk@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Anne-Lise Brekken, e-mail: anne.lise.brekken@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).

Please refer to the application number IV-65/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.03.2021

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 Geoscience and Petroleum

We conduct teaching and research related to management of Earth’s geological resources. Norway’s rich resources of wind, water, oil, gas and minerals have been and are essential to the country’s prosperity, and will continue to be in the future. The Department plays a key role in the development of technology and the education of graduates who enable value creation based on our natural resources. The Department of Geoscience and Petroleum is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 10th March 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Institutt for geovitenskap og petroleum