About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD in coupled vehicle-bridge dynamic modelling under severe environmental conditions for long-span bridges; feedback interactions and traffic safety.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) is running a project “Ferry free coastal route E39”. The research program and the project are presented in this video https://vimeo.com/257970739. Some of the straits are up to 5 kilometres wide and 1.5 kilometres deep and calls for significant extension of present bridge technology. The installations have to resist extreme environmental loads and accidental actions. For this PhD position, we will work in close collaboration with KTH in Sweden.

When considering long-span bridges it is important to address traffic safety issues in terms of preventing and mitigating actions in order to avoid serious incidences. For this reason, it is vital to be able to model, simulate and predict the behaviour of vehicles crossing moving bridges under severe environmental conditions such as high winds. This includes the possibilities to estimate reduced speed and/or to introduce full or partial wind barriers to avoid bridge closure. Furthermore, for long-span bridges the tower size will become large and the varying wind barrier effects may become substantial. 

In modelling the manoeuvrability and stability of the vehicle, driver and vehicle models with different levels of model fidelity will be used and the environmental conditions as well as bridge motion feedback will be considered. This may include road surface, friction, speed and direction of vehicle and wind as well as the dynamics and aerodynamics of the vehicle and the aeroelastic properties of the bridge. KTH in Stockholm has worked extensively on dynamic modelling of vehicles. In this project, we will continue to develop our collaboration with KTH to ensure that the models are state of the art for vehicle, bridge and the coupling of the two

The position reports to supervisor professor Anders Rönnquist.

Job description

• main objective, to predict traffic safety where accident probabilities may be used to propose preventive and mitigating actions.
• review of existing literature on relevant topics.
• working with elements from theoretical, numerical and experimental methods.
• in full-scale experiments, both the vehicle and the bridge are instrumented and monitored simultaneously.
• in numerical simulation will main focus be on the dynamic behaviour of the coupled driver-vehicle-bridge systems subjected to windy environmental conditions.

Qualification requirements

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 Structural Engineering/Mechanical Engineering 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.

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

Other prefered qualifications

• suitable background (master’s degree) would be within vehicle, bridge and wind engineering, structural dynamics, stochastic dynamic analysis.
• experience in experimental research and to develop advanced numerical models within the scope
• good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills

Personal characteristics

• motivated and ambitious students with excellent grades
• proficiency to carry out goal-oriented work
• good cooperation abilities
• excellent communication skills in scientific writing and oral presentation are needed

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

• 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 449 400 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 years. 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.

Appointment takes place on the terms that apply to State employees at any time, and after the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

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. 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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Anders Rönnquist, Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim. E-mail: anders.ronnquist@ntnu.no

About the application:

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. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number IV-73/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 19.02.19

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 Structural Engineering

We teach mechanical engineering, engineering and ICT, and civil and environmental engineering. The Department conducts internationally leading research and participates in several large national research projects. The Department of Structural Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 19.02.2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gløshaugen