About the position

Applicants are invited for a three-year PhD position at the Department of Electric Power Engineering (IEL), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. The candidate will be a part of the Power System Operation and Analysis (PSOA) research group and/or the Electricity Markets and Energy System Planning (EMESP) research group 

This is an academic position that will provide the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD degree related to the Ocean Grid project. The Ocean Grid project, which is a part of the Norwegian Government’s Green Platform Initiative, aims to develop cost-competitive energy technologies for the international market through research-based innovation. The prominent driver for this research is the ambition to re-align the Norwegian offshore industry from Oil & Gas-based activities towards offshore wind energy and hydrogen. The PhD candidate will work in a joint research project with leading energy companies and developers, suppliers and manufacturers, and research and innovation organisations. More details about the Ocean Grid project are available at this link.

You will report to the Head of Department

Duties of the position

The candidate will develop novel methods and models for offshore grid development, taking into account the security of supply to offshore loads. The PhD will be built on recent PhD research on the topic at NTNU (M. Kristiansen, PhD thesis (2019),  http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2601704 ) and Fraunhofer IEE (P. Härtel, PhD thesis (2021), http://publica.fraunhofer.de/dokumente/N-633787.html). 

The other duties of the position are given below:

• During the employment period, the candidate will work together with several other PhD candidates, and therefore good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary project team are expected.
• The results of the project are expected to be published in scientific journals and conferences and presented to research partners and user partners in the Ocean Grid project consortium.

Required selection criteria

The objective of the PhD education is to qualify for scientific research of high international standards. The PhD education has a nominal duration of three years of full-time study and includes required coursework or similar academic training comprising a minimum of 30 credits. The most crucial component of PhD education is an independent scientific research project carried out under academic supervision, which results in the PhD thesis. The PhD degree is conferred based on these two elements and the doctoral examination, which consists of a trial lecture and a public defence of the scientific thesis. 

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Electric Power Engineering, with specialisation in electric power and/or energy systems and relevant to the given project description. Applicants with a Master’s degree in Managerial economics or mathematics with a specialisation in operations research can also be considered in special cases where the cover letter and application supports the claim for their suitability for the described position.
• A solid background in electricity markets, energy system analysis, and operations research or optimisation is preferred. 
• Excellent programming skills are required, preferably in Python.
• Applicants must have a strong record from their previous studies and must have a weighted average grade for the last two years of their Master's or equivalent education (equivalent to 120 ECTS credits) of B or higher in terms of NTNU's grading scale within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A being the best). Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation.
•  Master's students who expect to complete their studies by summer 2022 are also encouraged to apply. Employment will then be postponed until the Master's degree is finished.
• Applicants must also satisfy the requirement for entering the PhD programme at NTNU; please see https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd  for more information. 

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

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

Preferred selection criteria

• Applicants must have very good English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency in terms of an approved test. The following tests can be used: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  •  TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  •  IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  •  CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for the shortlisted applicants. 

We expect that the selected candidate will be able to join the project as soon as possible.

Personal characteristics

The candidate should:

• be structured, targeted and solution-oriented
• be a team player in a group with the project consortium, professors, researchers, PhDs and scientists from the industrial sector
• be self-driven with a strong ability to work independently as required
• have the proven ability to work with an interdisciplinary team
• have good dissemination skills
• have personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude and contributing to a sustainable social environment

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

Salary and conditions

During the employment period at NTNU, the PhD candidate will be remunerated at gross NOK 492 600 per annum. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The employment contract is for three years.

Appointment to the PhD position requires formal admission to the PhD programme in Electric Power Engineering. Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD students at NTNU.

See https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd  for information about PhD studies at NTNU. As a PhD candidate, you will have to successfully complete the PhD academic training programme; the training includes mandatory course work and other obligatory activities. Within the first three months of your employment, you must formally qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

The position is fully funded by the Research Council of Norway.

It is a prerequisite you are present at the university during the entire duration of your PhD study.

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 (Departments to choose from the following): 

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes the personal motivation, summarising their scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable
• A draft research proposal (1 or 2 pages) for the PhD study, where the candidate presents her/his own ideas for the PhD-work and how it can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• CV (summarising education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity).
• Copies of educational certificates (both Bachelor and Master), academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement (https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en ) or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Names and contact information of at least two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).

In assessing the applications, emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, the cover letter and the ideas and/or originality of the draft research proposal in shortlisting of candidates. Interviews with the best-qualified candidates will be arranged. 

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. 

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.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, which manage critical infrastructure. A comprehensive risk assessment of the candidates' research interests and potential activities related to national threat assessments will therefore also form the basis for the final selection of candidates.

In the final assessment of the candidates, also strategic considerations at the Department of Electric Power Engineering will be taken into account.

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.

According to the 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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Vijay Venu Vadlamudi vijay.vadlamudi@ntnu.no or Professor Magnus Korpås magnus.korpas@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).

Application deadline: 14.01.2022.

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 Electric Power Engineering

The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.

Deadline 14th January 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Gløshaugen