About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD position in modelling hydrogen-microvoid interactions.

Department of Structural Engineering has vacancy for a PhD fellowship position. The PhD is supported by the project "Safe Pipelines for Hydrogen Transport (HyLINE)" financed by the ENERGIX program of the Research Council of Norway and industrial partners from the energy and renewable energy sectors. The project is managed by SINTEF industry.

The HyLINE project will address pipeline material challenges related to transporting clean hydrogen gas in the existing subsea pipeline infrastructure for natural gas transport and new pipeline infrastructure. Driven by the prioritized industrial needs of structural integrity and life extension, and powered by multiscale simulations and experiments.

The PhD candidate will work at NTNU Nanomechanical Lab www.ntnu.edu/nml, chaired by Professor Zhiliang Zhang, Professor Jianying He and two adjunct professors from the industry. In 2018, there were 18 PhD students and 3 post-doc fellows working in the NTNU Nanomechanical Lab.

The position report to the main supervisor Professor Zhiliang Zhang.

This position is a part of a bigger activity called Modelling Hydrogen-Material Interactions, and we have another position in the project Multiscale Hydrogen Embrittlement Assessment for Subsea Conditions (M-HEAT) see link

Job description

• When metallic materials are exposed to hydrogen environment, hydrogen can diffuse into the metals, interact with microstructure and deformation, and cause material degradation (i.e. hydrogen embrittlement) that may lead to premature failure with catastrophic consequences. Hydrogen embrittlement is a long-standing challenge for both the traditional energy industry as well as the renewable energy sector. It is a critical failure mode that must be considered in securing the material integrity and developing the life extension strategy of structural components.
• The candidate will work on continuum-based modelling of hydrogen embrittlement. In particular, together with the project team, the PhD candidate will establish hydrogen-informed predictive models by extending the Gurson model to account for the embrittlement effect of hydrogen on ductile damage characterized by microvoid nucleation, growth and coalescence. The candidate will work closely with SINTEF and University of Poitiers.

Qualification requirements

PhD candidate:

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 applied mechanics, mechanical/structural engineering, material physics, material science 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 qualifications

• experience and knowledge of continuum mechanics and finite element method are essential.
• applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation.
• good English skills, spoken and written, are required
• 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.

Personal characteristics

• motivated and ambitious students with excellent grades
• ability to work both individually and in a team environment and a high level of personal responsibility
• excellent communication skills in scientific writing and oral presentation
• eager to disseminate research results through publications and presentations at international conferences
• 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

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, 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 candidate:

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 (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv). 

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 Zhiliang Zhang, phone number +47 93001979, e-mail zhiliang.zhang@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-110/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 20.03.19

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 20.03.2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gløshaugen