About the position

One PhD fellowship is available at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering within the research area of atom clustering kinetics and precipitation hardening of aluminium alloys. The Ph.D project work includes both Atom Probe Tomography (APT) characterization and numerical microstructure modeling. The PhD project is a part of a large scale competence development project, SUMAL, co-funded by the Research Council of Norway and several national and international aluminum industry partners.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA), https://www.ntnu.edu/ima

Project description

Precipitation hardening is one of the most important strategies for the aluminum industry to improve performance of heat treatable aluminum alloys. With the overall objective to control and manipulate nucleation and growth of hardening precipitates, the SUMAL project will develop in-depth fundamental understanding of early stage clustering and ordering of solute atoms in aluminium alloys and how these structures influence the development of hardening precipitates and materials properties. This will be realized by a combination of advanced experimental characterization and multi-scale computation and numerical modelling. Researchers from two NTNU departments, Department of Physics and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and a research institute SINTEF will be closely collaborating in the project. The project consortium has strong competences and long tradition in advanced materials characterization and computational material science in the field of aluminium alloys. The specific tasks of the present Ph.D project will be focusing on the characterization of the chemistry and structure of atom clusters and precipitates forming in the early stage of artificial aging treatment by using the newly installed Atom Probe Tomography instrument (LEAP 5000 XS) at NTNU to reach an in-depth understanding on the clustering and precipitation process. Some numerical modeling is also needed for analysis/reconstruction of APT dataset and addressing the thermodynamics and kinetics of the clustering process.

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 [subject area] 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.

Candidates with experience from practical operation of APT, advanced transmission electron microscopy or from computational materials science or numerical simulations will be preferred. The applicant must have good communication skills and be fluent in English, both orally and written. The candidates will be part of a larger research group working on a variety of problems about the physical metallurgy of aluminium alloys. It is thus important that the applicants are willing to collaborate with other researchers, enabling them to be a part of the team.

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 479 600 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The appointment has a duration of 3 years with the possibility of 1 year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. (To undertake the teaching duties, it is a requirement that the candidate speaks Norwegian or another Scandinavian language). Tentative start-date of the appointment will be in September/October 2019.

Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme. Detailed information on our PhD programs is found at: https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd

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.

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.

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.

Further information regarding the position can be obtained by contacting Professor Yanjun Li, e-mail: yanjun.li@ntnu.no or Professor Randi Holmestad, e-mail: Randi.holmestad@ntnu.no.

Information about the NTNU department and the NTNU research group can be found online: http://www.ntnu.edu/mse.

The application should contain:

• CV, including list of publications with bibliographical references
• Testimonials and certificates (including transcript of grades from BSc and MSc)
• A brief description of the candidate’s research experience

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 NV-80/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 04.08.2019

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 Materials Science and Engineering

We are Norway's leading educational and research environment in materials engineering, materials chemistry and materials science.  In collaboration with business and industry, we are a driving force for the development of innovative materials as well as new applications and manufacturing processes. Activities in our disciplines are vital for the green shift. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline: 21st July 2019
Employer: NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality: Trondheim
Scope: Fulltime
Duration: Temporary
Jobbnorge ID: 173048