About the position

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is seeking a PhD student for the project “Lithium-ion BATteries - Norwegian opportunities within sustainable end-of-life MANagement, reuse and new material streams” (BATMAN).

The goal of BATMAN is to develop a dynamic strategic tool based on material flow analysis (MFA) to enable Norwegian companies to take leading positions within the lithium-ion battery (LIB) value chain. The project is led by the Eyde Cluster and involves several research institutions and industry partners. The candidate will be working in close cooperation with a post-doc at NTNU involved in the same project and these partners.

The expected increase of electro-mobility and transition to renewable energy will lead to an exponential growth of LIBs and, as a result, the use of relevant raw materials as well as, with a delay, to a rapid growth in spent LIBs that can be reused in stationary applications or recycled.

This represents a huge opportunity for Norwegian businesses (large and small) as Norway is a first mover within the electric mobility sphere.To take business positions, however, it is critical to better understand the fundamental factors (car fleet and ownership models, battery chemistry, circular economy regulations etc) that influence the expected growth. Hence, it is imperative to build competence that enables detailed understanding of market and business models, which again leads to Norwegian businesses taking positions in this growing market. In order to deliver on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) it is equally important that raw materials are utilized effectively, and as Norway produces many of the critical materials in the LIB value chain, this opens up an extraordinary market possibility for business positions.

The Head of Department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position reports to Professor Daniel B. Müller.

Job description

The goal of the PhD project is to develop a dynamic MFA model for the Norwegian vehicle fleet and the associated flows of LIBs and their constituent materials. This model will form the core of the strategic tool to be used by businesses and government institutions for testing – through scenarios – the consequences of future mobility concepts, vehicle and battery design, as well as reuse and recycling options for new business models.

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 engineering or natural 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.

Additional required qualifications:

• Strong computer programming skills, including experience in Python programming
• Fluent written and oral English language skills are essential
• Good communication skills

Desirable qualifications:

• Norwegian language skills are an advantage

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.

Personal characteristics

• Confidence in working independently
• Ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams
• Creativity
• Critical thinking

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 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. 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 to the PhD position requires admission to the PhD Programme in Industrial Ecology.

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.

General information

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.

About the application:

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Daniel B. Müller, phone number +47 91897755, email daniel.mueller@ntnu.no

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. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number IV-198/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 05.07.2019

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 Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 5th July 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Gløshaugen, Trondheim