This is NTNU

At NTNU, creating knowledge for a better world is the vision that unites our 7 000 employees and 40 000 students.

We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

About the position

The Department of Chemical Engineering has a vacancy for a doctoral scholarship related to the project DeepScale. The project now wants to hire a doctoral fellow for a period of three years, to develop further understanding of scaling from hot geological brines for use in Deep Geothermal Energy (DGE) operations.

Background: The Norwegian industry is looking for new sectors where the competence built within oil and gas production can be used. Scaling of minerals in formation water is a well-known issue in this sector and extensive expertise has been developed in Norway on this topic. The results from the DeepScale project shall spur the Norwegian industry to adapt this competence to scaling in DGE installations. Utilization of DGE is a fast- growing sector in the world, which offers an international outlet for the Norwegian competence.

Challenge: Thermodynamic studies of geothermal water producing wells emerged from New Zealand in the fifties and later from US in the seventies and eighties, and quite substantial experimental and theoretical work was done. There are several software packages and databases with parameters publicly available from those early days, for instance Johnson et al. (1992), Kharaka et al. (1988) and Wolery (1992). 

Most of the published work use the same thermodynamic approach, namely a virial coefficient expansion of interactions between ions combined with the Debye-Hückel equation for long range electrostatic energy, with several sub-models depending on composition, temperature and pressure. But, this approach does not capture the behaviour above or close to the critical point of water, see e.g. Driesner (2013) for a critical review. Hence, new fundamental understanding is needed to extend the thermodynamic model description into the region of interest for deep geothermal reservoirs typically up to 500°C and 350 bar.

Network: A companion PhD position on the topic "Modelling of high temperature, high pressure geothermal energy production system" was started at NTNU in January 2018. DeepScale has a somewhat narrower focus on the thermodynamics of gases and minerals dissolved in geofluids at high temperatures and pressures - in the reservoir and parts of the well, but a cooperation between the two PhD candidates is still desirable.

The position reports to: DeepScale - Deep geothermal flow assurance project; cost-efficient scale handling and heat fluid robustness (2019-2022).

Main duties and responsibilities

• Further develop the theory of aqueous electrolytes to support and incorporate data acquired from literature, including also the experimental part of the programme.
• Help build computer software that supports equilibrium calculations of aqueous inorganic solutions and mineral precipitates (scaling) at temperatures and pressures relevant to the operation of geothermal wells under supercritical conditions.
• Implement a thermodynamic equation of state (EOS) valid for geofluids of interest to the project. The EOS should preferably be derived from a fundamental energy potential, typically Helmholtz energy in this case. Elements of statistical mechanics are probably important to the task.
• The overall goal is to develop a thermodynamically consistent modelling framework. Model derivation from a thermodynamic energy potential guarantees said consistency while patched models do not.

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 thermodynamics, physical chemistry or statistical mechanics; 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, or they are about to finish their master’s program, 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, post doctor 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 

• Experience with computer programming and mathematical modelling is an advantage.
• Knowledge of transport theory, fluid mechanics and dynamic systems is an advantage.
• The position requires oral and written fluency in the English language. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside Europe should document English proficiency by an approved test, which can be either TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Personal characteristics

• The successful candidate has a strong motivation to perform applied theoretical science.
• He/she is independent and structured, and has the ability to work problem-oriented.
• He/she enjoys interdisciplinary research and wants to learn, teach and work in teams.

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

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 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 (which may be extended to 4 years depending on teaching duties and the Department’s financial situation). Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Chemical Engineering:

http://www.ntnu.no/kjempros

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 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.

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 Associate Professor Tore Haug-Warberg, phone number +47-91363586, e-mail tore.haug-warberg@ntnu.no. Any question about the application process can be directed to HR person Nina Sandberg, phone number +47 73413039, e-mal nina.sandberg@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. 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 Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 269/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 06.01.2020

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 Chemical Engineering  

We take chemistry from laboratory scale to industrial production. This demands a wide range of knowledge, from molecular processes and nanotechnology to building and operation of large processing plants. We educate graduates for some of Norway's most important industries. The Department of Chemical Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.  

Deadline 6th January 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gløshaugen