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PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Trondheim, Norway
Closing date
1 Aug 2019

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About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

This PhD position is part of the multidisciplinary project “Concept development of full-scale soluble gas stabilization (SGS) technology for seafood” financed by the research council of Norway (project number 294641). Automation and robotics of the food processing lines are in high demand in the industry to achieve higher utilization of raw matter, more predictable production and profitability. The soluble gas stabilization (SGS) technology has been proven beneficial for prolonging the shelf-life of muscle food such as seafood and white meat. However, no industrial application of this technology has been implemented as far as our knowledge. This is because of two major constraints. First of all is the time needed to saturate enough CO2 in the samples, and second with respect to the safety of employees operating the line. The objective of this PhD project is to identify actual requirements for mechanical and hygienic design and develop a concept of the processing line, which allows muscle food to be treated with SGS in an industrial scale.

The position reports to Associate Professor Anna Olsen, Dr.ing.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • The PhD candidate will participate at the final stage of working package dedicated to mapping the critical issues of full-scale SGS-technology to transfer necessary knowledge to mechanical design. Based on this knowledge, the candidate will contribute to creating of a CO2 distribution model for the treatment volume and develop the concept of the SGS processing line using appropriate product design methodology.
  • The candidate is supposed to work closely with our partners in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science and external research institute Nofima AS.

Qualification requirements

The PhD-candidate'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 Mechanical Engineering, Product Development 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

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

Other qualifications

  • Knowledge of CFD simulation software
  • Interest for Mechanical Engineering in the field of Food Technology
  • Basic knowledge in biochemistry
  • Good written and oral English language skills
  • Knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian languages is beneficial

Personal characteristics

  • Ambition, willingness to perform and commitment to the project
  • Independence
  • Problem-solving mindset and creativity

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

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax. 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/iv/phd-information

As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD program during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months after commencement of the PhD position.

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 criterias 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.

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life (http://trondheim.com/). Having a population of 200 000, Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

Questions about the position can be directed to Anna Olsen, phone number +4798425032, e-mail anna.olsen@ntnu.no,  or Jørgen Lerfall (project coordinator), phone number +4773559749, e-mail Jorgen.lerfall@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 www.jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates within the application deadline. 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 the Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): https://www.chsi.com.cn/en/. Pakistan applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/pages/home.aspx.

Please refer to the application number IV-199/19 when applying.

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

Application deadline: 1 August 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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

We educate graduates who can create new products, operate and maintain products, and manage projects. The Department has a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programes. We conduct wide-ranging research in fields such as technology, energy, product quality and development, and productivity. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline: 1st August 2019
Employer: NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality: Trondheim
Scope: Fulltime
Duration: Temporary
Place of service: Dep. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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